Sim Card Choice - cheapest for whatsapp only

Sidspin · 8 January 2017 at 11:48AM

my 8 yr. old daughter wants to use my old Samsung S3 phone to make free phone calls and TXT via whatsapp using the home Wi-Fi. The only issue is in order to install the whatsapp application I need a sim card but I don't want to be constantly topping one up. therefore could anyone recommend a sim card that is a one off purchase and doesn't require to be drip fed top ups in order to stay active once the initial say £10 cost of the sim card has been used up.

[Deleted User] · 8 January 2017 at 12:02PM

Sidspin wrote: »

my 8 yr. old daughter wants to use my old Samsung S3 phone to make free phone calls and TXT via whatsapp using the home Wi-Fi. The only issue is in order to install the whatsapp application I need a sim card but I don't want to be constantly topping one up. therefore could anyone recommend a sim card that is a one off purchase and doesn't require to be drip fed top ups in order to stay active once the initial say £10 cost of the sim card has been used up.

Surprisingly, EE sims although initially being charged monthly can have the monthly addon packs disabled in your account so they turn into a PAYG sim (I believe).

Schoolworker · 8 January 2017 at 12:14PM

I have a SIM card only deal which has a monthly fee of £9 and has so many text and free calls and 250mb for the internet. It does me and I have asked them to Capp at £2 above this and I got a text in the summer to say I had used up 80% of my allowance but not sure it stops if you reach the cap. It's with slim mobile and they can be contacted by phone or e-mail. Would need to check you can use what's app with this package but it good as you already have a phone.

burnsguitarman · 8 January 2017 at 12:27PM

Have a look at GiffGaff, We have one in a spare phone I think there is £5 credit, and it will stay active for 3 or 6 months, after that they send a text asking you to make a chargeable call, for it to remain active. We have had it for quite a few years, so it may have changed, but it's worth a look.

AndyPK · 8 January 2017 at 1:15PM

Not quite what your asking but how about a free one from asda.

Comes with 10 mins 10 txt 10mb data free.
Turn off 3G data on the phone.

You even have some emengency credit for free.

Or if you wanted to splash out on £6 month Virgin will do unlimited whatsapp messages. As well as 300 mins 600mb(if u sign up in january) and unlimited texts

Back to your question. I think all sims expire. Some (virgin) I don't thing you need to make a chargeable call. Just check credit or a few rings.

eDicky · 8 January 2017 at 1:52PM

All your daughter needs is a phone number for her new WhatsApp account to be registered to. The app will stay active on the phone after that, even if the number expires or you put a different SIM in the phone, and you can change the registered number any time to a new one (although it may need to be done before the old one expires, I'm not sure).

So for this purpose there is no need to pay anything. Most networks will send you a free PAYG SIM, and many of them are active as soon as you insert then into a phone without applying any top-up credit. I believe some of them do not even expire, as long as you never apply a top-up, but I'm not sure which ones now (Lebara used to be this way).

Order several free SIMs online from networks already mentioned and others, then choose one that you can receive a text message on without topping up. For WhatsApp use on WiFi only that's all you need, later if she wants to use it outside on mobile data choose the best deal and change to that number.

Sidspin · 8 January 2017 at 2:20PM

Thanks for the advice. I think my best option will be to go for Asda's free sim and if need be top up at there lowest rate of £5 every three months or so to keep it active.

[Deleted User] · 8 January 2017 at 2:25PM

Sidspin wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I think my best option will be to go for Asda's free sim and if need be top up at there lowest rate of £5 every three months or so to keep it active.

Yep, @AndyPK beat me to it but the Asda sim is a good idea. You can pick one up for 50p at your local store if you can't wait, pretty sure you don't have to get a top up at the time, if you do just order one for free instead. I think just receiving a text on the phone keeps it active if needed.

flashg67 · 8 January 2017 at 10:10PM

My OH hasn't topped up her PAYG Three sim for over 12 months. If you justd ad credit & don't buy a bundle, it never expires, but do need to make a call every so often to keep it 'live'