Q.about SIM only for pensioner who doesn't need data

DinkyLass

Hi, due to the recent loss of my Grandmother, my Grandad is relying heavily on his old PAYG phone to keep in touch with family, and he can carry it around in case he falls or anything happens.
He's rattling through his credit and due to the fact he's 88 and not great with technology, he can't top up his own credit so when he runs out he's stuck until I can get round to top up for him.
I've been looking at some SIM only deals to see if I could get him a cheap package with loads of minutes so he can use his mobile to his hearts content but they all seem to be sacrificing minutes for data as that's what people want now.
He only has an old Doro big button flip phone so data isn't any use to him!
If he has an old phone will he still be able to use a SIM only deal? One I looked at required an Android app.

Any tips would be appreciated!

cookie365

How many minutes is 'loads'?

Ken's tech tips has a page on cheap pay as you go bundles
http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/cheapest-pay-as-you-go-bundles

Other than Three most networks will allow him to use his horrible old Doro.

Ian011

If you are on a pay as you go deal costing 45p to 55p to minute, your phone provider is ripping you off. With this, £5 lasts only ten minutes.

On the other hand, a £5 inclusive bundle will give hundreds of minutes and texts per month. The link in the previous post should be a revelation.

Kim_13

EE have a Talk and Text pack (minimal data) but this is £15 for 750 minutes and unlimited texts per month. There are some other options but they don't seem particularly great value (though better than PAYG) and he may be better off picking a package that includes data if it comes in at a lower price than EE's offering.

giffgaff do a free to giffgaff option if he tops up at least £10 every 3 months (the purchase of a bundle via card would qualify him.) This may allow him to get by with a cheaper package if some of those he calls are on giffgaff or willing to move (though it is limited to 60 minutes per call so redialling would be necessary if he wanted to make a longer call; don't know if he would remember to do this.) There is £5 free credit if you are referred by an existing member. Their bundles (no need for any redialling if using these allowances) include 125 minutes in the £5, 250 in the £7.50 and 500 in the regular £10, if I recall correctly. There are higher ones going up to unlimited minutes in a £20 bundle.

Tello have the build your own plan thing but unfortunately he would need a 3G or 4G phone to use this network.

mobilejunkie

If the phone is unlocked and the new sim is the right size it should work in his phone.

AndyPK

Yeap sim only is an excellent idea.

Virgin will do 300 mins for £6

Fortyfoot

https://www.plus.net/mobile/plans/sim-only

Ignore the data.

Fortyfoot

cookie365

Remember that there's a difference between sim only contracts and pay as you go bundles.

If he's happy to go on a contract Ken's cheap contract deals are listed here
http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/sim-only-deals

My earlier link was to strictly pay as you go bundles.

The Virgin one @AndyPK mentioned is listed there and is pretty good value, and he's only committing to a month at a time.

There aren't many deals of any kind these days that don't have an element of data, so just focus on the minutes (and possibly texts) and don't get hung up about paying for stuff he doesn't use.

[Deleted User]

Don't forget that a mobile phone without a signal is just a doorstop, make sure he can receive a good signal (at home?) on the chosen supplier.

macman

Many PAYG suppliers offer auto top up-you simply register a debit or credit card with the provider and it tops up as soon as the credit falls below a set level.That way he won't be dependent on you to top him up.
Otherwise go contract, SIM only.
If you can get him a 3G phone (Doro do them now), you can use Three 321, which is by far the cheapest PAYG tariff.

DinkyLass

Thanks everyone. I think the PlusNet package might be good as a trial to see how many minutes he manages to get through.


I did look at getting him a Doro smartphone so he could use the data and have access to the internet, but then I remembered he struggles to use the TV remote so maybe I'll leave that for now!