SIM for spare that won't expire?

Mikki

Hello!

After yesterday's debacle with O2, I was thinking it might be useful to keep a spare SIM card from another network.

Can anyone suggest a PAYG SIM card that I could top up with but wouldn't expire after a few months - does such a thing exist??!

Thanks!

smartphone

Three's don't expire at all (or so I've been told by them, and I've had a PAYG SIM for about 5 years and it's still connected). Others you just have to make sure you do something like send a text within a time period. Talk Mobile has the longest period, 9 months, and texts only cost you 6p. I can't post the link, but there's a blog post entitled The Emergency Phone if you google it.

epm-84

You obviously need an unlocked mobile to be able to use a sim from another network. If it's locked on the O2 network then you won't be able to use your spare sim.

NFH

Orange PAYG SIMs don't expire as long as you receive a call or text every 6 months. Order them at http://freesim.orange.co.uk with zero credit.

latecomer

I think O2 unlock phones for free all you need to do is ask.

jayme1

even if you get a PAYG sim that does expire after a few months all can be prevented from expiring by sending a single text message before the period of inactivity is reached, since most sims expire after 180 day of no use sending a text message every 179 day or less will prevent it from expiring.

Mikki

Thanks everyone.

My phone is unlocked btw!

Buzby

It was Ofcom who made the requirement for the 6 months limit in order to stop the firms counting subscriber numbers for SIMs not deemed 'active'. Six months without a chargeable event is usual (previously it was as long as the SIM was in credit). So you'll need to diarise the need to make a call or text to ensure the SIM remains working.

Incidentally, when a SIM is deactivated, most networks absorb any credit left of the account, abd sometimes let you get it back, but mostly not.

HappyMJ

I'd go with a Vectone mobile £1 a month plan. I know it'll cost you £1 per month but that really isn't much and you do get 30 minutes of calls, 30 texts and 30MB of internet each month. Not much but for £1 you can't moan. It's great for taking a cheap phone to a nightclub or another high risk theft location where you would never take your smart phone. If it's nicked or lost someone else can only rack up another £1 of calls on it. You then cancel the contract and get another one.