Sim deals or PAYG packages with no time limit?

br1anstorm

I am a fairly light mobile-phone user, making calls and occasional texts but - so far - no data/internet. For years I have been with Virgin Mobile as a Direct Debit pay-monthly PAYG customer (no fixed-term contract, and I use my own phone). Monthly cost ranges from £4 to a max of around £10.

I'm thinking of getting a new (smart) phone so that I can at least keep up with emails and browse the net occasionally when away from home.

The choice and range of options is astonishing. But at this stage I have one question: does any provider offer a SIM, or a "package" with a set allowance of minutes, texts and data which is not time-limited?

With standard PAYG you either pay monthly on the basis of actual usage (as I do now), or you pre-pay by top-up in which case the credit lasts indefinitely, or at least for six months. But charge rates per call or text are notably higher.

On the market now there seem to be many free SIM deals, and packages or bundles (both contract and top-up), which offer various quantities of mins/texts/data. The charges 'per call' work out a lot lower than PAYG. But all the ones I have found seem to offer the allowance only on a 30-day basis. So you use it or lose it, and every month - whatever your usage - the slate is wiped and you get another allowance.

I would like a deal - if it exists - which offers a quota of mins/texts/data which is open-ended, or at least lasts longer than 30 days. Does anyone know if such an option is available and if so from whom?

grumbler

br1anstorm wrote: »

does any provider offer a SIM, or a "package" with a set allowance of minutes, texts and data which is not time-limited?

I have not heard of any except if it's data only.

With standard PAYG you either pay monthly on the basis of actual usage (as I do now), or you pre-pay by top-up in which case the credit lasts indefinitely, or at least for six months. But charge rates per call or text are notably higher.

Well, it's just 3p/2p with free, so not that high.

br1anstorm

Thanks Grumbler - just for interest, which provider(s) offer such data-only packages?

Having browsed other threads, especially this one https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5109284
I am looking quite seriously at buying an unlocked Moto G, and then trying the Three 321 deal (or one of the GiffGaff options).

grumbler

br1anstorm wrote: »

Thanks Grumbler - just for interest, which provider(s) offer such data-only packages?

Search HUKD or ebay for 'preloaded'.
That said, most likely it still will have some time limit, although bigger than a month.

diamonds

3 credit never expires but you must make a chargeable action once every 6 months, there is also Delight Mobile who charge 3's 3/2/1 rates on EE 2G/3G networks if coverage is not covered by 3 in your usual haunts/home.

gjchester

grumbler wrote: »

Search HUKD or ebay for 'preloaded'.
That said, most likely it still will have some time limit, although bigger than a month.

Sort of


As examples Threes 1GB sims, expire 30 days after start, 3gb is 90 day and 12gb a year after first use. Other networks are similar,


They have a long "shelf life" but once first used the timer starts ticking.

NiftyDigits

br1anstorm wrote: »

I am a fairly light mobile-phone user, making calls and occasional texts but - so far - no data/internet. For years I have been with Virgin Mobile as a Direct Debit pay-monthly PAYG customer (no fixed-term contract, and I use my own phone). Monthly cost ranges from £4 to a max of around £10.

I'm thinking of getting a new (smart) phone so that I can at least keep up with emails and browse the net occasionally when away from home.

The choice and range of options is astonishing. But at this stage I have one question: does any provider offer a SIM, or a "package" with a set allowance of minutes, texts and data which is not time-limited?

With standard PAYG you either pay monthly on the basis of actual usage (as I do now), or you pre-pay by top-up in which case the credit lasts indefinitely, or at least for six months. But charge rates per call or text are notably higher.

On the market now there seem to be many free SIM deals, and packages or bundles (both contract and top-up), which offer various quantities of mins/texts/data. The charges 'per call' work out a lot lower than PAYG. But all the ones I have found seem to offer the allowance only on a 30-day basis. So you use it or lose it, and every month - whatever your usage - the slate is wiped and you get another allowance.

I would like a deal - if it exists - which offers a quota of mins/texts/data which is open-ended, or at least lasts longer than 30 days. Does anyone know if such an option is available and if so from whom?

EE currently have a a package that offers 100 MB of data per month for free.
To this you can add a package for as little £1 per week(25 mins & 50 SMS). You can stop and start the £1 package at will.
The SIM costs £0.99p and comes with £5 of credit.

andygodwin

hi NiftyDigits, can you paste where this sim deal is pls?? i cant find it..

AndyPK

:rotfl:

It ended at the end of December, but there is a possibility that you can pick one up on ebay for 99p.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EE-4G-Multi-SIM-on-pay-as-you-go-inc-25-Minutes-50-Texts-plus-4-credit-/171620467189?pt=UK_Mobile_Home_Phones_Sim_Cards_CV&hash=item27f56081f5

It doesn't say free data, but there is a good chance you will get it. Don't delay too much though!

Its not a good tariff though. There packs seam to end after only 7 days!

call charges are 30p/min

Good if you want a small amount of data and don't make many calls/texts

NiftyDigits

AndyPK wrote: »

:rotfl:

It ended at the end of December, but there is a possibility that you can pick one up on ebay for 99p.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EE-4G-Multi-SIM-on-pay-as-you-go-inc-25-Minutes-50-Texts-plus-4-credit-/171620467189?pt=UK_Mobile_Home_Phones_Sim_Cards_CV&hash=item27f56081f5

It doesn't say free data, but there is a good chance you will get it. Don't delay too much though!

Its not a good tariff though. There packs seam to end after only 7 days!

call charges are 30p/min

Good if you want a small amount of data and don't make many calls/texts

Packs end after seven days if you purchase a seven day pack.
It's appears that no matter how often things are explained, some just don't seem to get it.

System

No.

The only operator that did this (OVIVO) went bust.

br1anstorm wrote: »

I would like a deal - if it exists - which offers a quota of mins/texts/data which is open-ended, or at least lasts longer than 30 days. Does anyone know if such an option is available and if so from whom?