Best Sim-only Deals guide Discussion

brookhouse

Bauhaus1000 said:

brookhouse said:

Bauhaus1000 said:

I've just moved a couple of mobiles across from BT to Plusnet and the transfer process was quite painless. However, two problems immediately became apparent.

- Although BT and Plusnet are part of the same overall company, for some reason, PN's coverage in our area is far poorer than BTs. Not sure if this is deliberate throttling by BT to make PN less attractive.

- PN can't reply or send to text messages from "short code" phone numbers which are increasingly being used by public and quasi-public bodies e.g. the BBC.

Luckily, I only signed up for a one month rolling contract so will be switching to another provider once this month's credit is ended.

My current favourite for features (WiFi calling, VoLTE, 5G, and EU roaming) are Smarty and Lebara. Voxi good if roaming not needed or you're happy to pay for a pass when needed. Of course, all depends on whether the signal is OK, but WiFi calling helps.

From a brief trawl, neither Smarty nor Lebara support sending texts to "short codes". It would be really useful if this was an option to filter when selecting a new sim only mobile provider. I know that a company I used to work for used a short format code to allow staff to book on and book off their shifts via text, so it can be a fairly important facility to have.

Oh, that's useful to know. I was aware of the Plusnet problem but hadn't appreciated others have it too. I wonder why, given the parent networks presumably support it?

CooperSF

Deal through EE (9 year customer)

250GB, unlimited texts/minutes and BT Sport Ultimate.

£12.50 for 3 months (£25 afterwards for another 21 months) and 30% discount on top of that.

Ideal!

clive_p

I've been looking at the cheap sim-only deals listings and see some, e.g. from Lebara which cost only 1p/month for the first six months then £5-90/month after that.  I don't understand what is to stop you using a Lebara SIM for up to six months (costing 6p total) then switching to another deal after that?  There must be some catch but I can't see what it is.

JuliusCaesar

clive_p said:

I don't understand what is to stop you using a Lebara SIM for up to six months (costing 6p total) then switching to another deal after that?  There must be some catch but I can't see what it is.

No catch at all for those who are prepared to port their number to take advantage of introductory deals - but most people can't be bothered. I have taken advantage of a number of introductory offers from Lebara by porting out (to an ASDA PAYG SIM, that doesn't need any top-up) and back again.

Alternatively, in a dual SIM phone, you could use RWG Mobile for your main number for calls and texts, and Lebara as a data sim, and just replace it with a similar deal when the 6 months are up, so no need to port. I don't do this at present because I need wifi calling and RWG don't currently offer it, although they say they are planning to introduce it later this year.

bangerdemon

clive_p said:

I've been looking at the cheap sim-only deals listings and see some, e.g. from Lebara which cost only 1p/month for the first six months then £5-90/month after that.  I don't understand what is to stop you using a Lebara SIM for up to six months (costing 6p total) then switching to another deal after that?  There must be some catch but I can't see what it is.

I can't even attempt to get it, I keep getting an error on the Lebara page!

flaneurs_lobster

bangerdemon said:

clive_p said:

I've been looking at the cheap sim-only deals listings and see some, e.g. from Lebara which cost only 1p/month for the first six months then £5-90/month after that.  I don't understand what is to stop you using a Lebara SIM for up to six months (costing 6p total) then switching to another deal after that?  There must be some catch but I can't see what it is.

I can't even attempt to get it, I keep getting an error on the Lebara page!

This link works for me just now 

https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/msm/exclusive-monthly-plan-590/p/441175

Have you tried another browser?

JohnCl

I've found a deal with o2 on the SIM-only deals page: 12 months. 40gb. £11 The deal says it's available until 5th October. This is the link to o2: Get deal*

I'm getting an error...is this a current offer? Is it an issue with the o2 site or the link itself?

Andy7856

JohnCl said:

I've found a deal with o2 on the SIM-only deals page: 12 months. 40gb. £11 The deal says it's available until 5th October. This is the link to o2: Get deal*

I'm getting an error...is this a current offer? Is it an issue with the o2 site or the link itself?

try via moneysupermarket?  same offer different link direct to o2. 

JohnCl

Thanks @Andy7856. Before I saw your post I ended up contacting o2 and got the deal direct. (For £1 cheaper!  )

meduk1

I am already on a decent Lebara contract, have been for about a year. 

How do I take advantage of a better deal they now offer? Do I have to leave then come back or can you do Lebara to Lebara deal?