PAYG for a low volume user

StormyWeather_2

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new PAYG mobile with low call charges but without a minimum monthly spend. I'll mainly be calling landlines and other mobiles, and occasional text. I could manage without internet data if it keeps the call charges lower.

So far I've found Tesco Lite PAYG, which is 8p/min calls, 4p/text, 10p/MB data.

Are there any other deals out there at the moment?

Thanks.

grumbler

Ovivo - 200+300+500Mb free

Three - 3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/Mb

StormyWeather_2

Thanks,
For 3 you have to top up £10 a month to get the 3p/min. That's more than I expect to be using.

I'll take a look at Ovivo.

NFH

StormyWeather wrote: »

For 3 you have to top up £10 a month to get the 3p/min.

No, you don't. The SIM will last for 6 months after the last balance deduction at the existing 3-2-1 prices. Also, if you top up by £5, you will receive 150MB of data at no additional charge.

pepdavies

StormyWeather wrote: »

Thanks,
For 3 you have to top up £10 a month to get the 3p/min.

Nonsense. Just top up when you run out of credit.

SailorSam

I'm with Tesco Payg and only top up, if and when.

NFH

SailorSam wrote: »

I'm with Tesco Payg and only top up, if and when.

It's the same with nearly all UK PAYG SIM cards; they expire six months after the last balance deduction, so you can top up "if and when" as you put it. Exceptions are Lycamobile and Toggle (3 months) and White Mobile (2 months).

SailorSam

NFH wrote: »

It's the same with nearly all UK PAYG SIM cards; they expire six months after the last balance deduction, so you can top up "if and when" as you put it. Exceptions are Lycamobile and Toggle (3 months) and White Mobile (2 months).

My mobile basically sits in the car glove box and only gets used in an emergency. I'm sure there have been times that i've gone more than 6 months between using it but Tesco haven't expired it. I think any credit sits there forever regardless of not getting used.
Perhaps i'm wrong and have used it.

ZhugeEX

SailorSam wrote: »

My mobile basically sits in the car glove box and only gets used in an emergency. I'm sure there have been times that i've gone more than 6 months between using it but Tesco haven't expired it. I think any credit sits there forever regardless of not getting used.
Perhaps i'm wrong and have used it.

So all networks do say that they reserve the right to cut you off after 6 months of inactive use. In reality most networks don't enforce this rule, and if they do then you can easily get around it by making a chargeable call or text. Some networks will actually allow an incoming call or text as a way to reset the 6 months.

As mentioned above, the best deal with Three allows you to top up when you want and then pay a flat rate of 3p a min, 2p a text and 1p a mb. Please note that you will need a 3G phone on the three network. So please check this first.

Ovivo requires a £20 start up fee and then gives you a free allowance of 200 minutes, 300 texts and 500mb data every month at no cost.

However tbh it sounds like you're not going to use the phone at all so any network would do tbh. You can also have a look at Giff Gaff as an alternative to the above networks.

grumbler

SailorSam wrote: »

My mobile basically sits in the car glove box and only gets used in an emergency. I'm sure there have been times that i've gone more than 6 months between using it but Tesco haven't expired it. I think any credit sits there forever regardless of not getting used.
Perhaps i'm wrong and have used it.

You are wrong, although it would be more correct to say "they can expire" rather than "they expire".

Your sim can be disconnected if not used for more than 6 months and if it is disconnected you lose your credit (there are some exceptions where you are given some time for getting sim reconnected and the credit reinstated).

NFH

I have a Three PAYG SIM card that I've never used; it has zero credit; I receive an incoming call on it every six months; it does not expire. However, Three could cancel it at any time, given that I have not fulfilled the terms and conditions to keep it active; Tesco could do likewise.