No data PAYG sim deals?

Rich40w

I'm on the look out for a no data PAYG sim that also has a long validity period. Basically my dad does not have a mobile but I would like to have the security of knowing there is an emergency mobile in his glovebox. He does not need any data but when I've looked, I can only find packages that have data attached and are only valid for 30 days.....can anyone advise where I can get a 'burner'? ;0)
Thanks guys!

DUTR

You couldn't have looked far, the 3 payg sim has a long expiry tme, certainly longer than 30 days, with most payg sims they cannot be left unused forever, for the very little use your Dad maybe better off staying as he is and perhaps doesn't want a mobile phone.

dondo

This may help as it shows how long PAYG credit lasts if you don't use the phone etc.

http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/payg-inactivity-account-termination-and-credit-expiry

Looks like 6 months is the max.

But is the data really relevant if it's PAYG- you just have £10/£20 whatever credit and that runs down on calls, texts, data however you use the phone?

ThemeOne

This may not be an issue with your dad, but make sure he knows it has to be charged up occasionally, not just left in the car turned off for months on end, and that he actually knows how to make a call should the need arise.

My father had one on a similar basis and when I checked it, it was as flat as a pancake, and he didn't really seem sure how to use it.

victor2

ThemeOne wrote: »

This may not be an issue with your dad, but make sure he knows it has to be charged up occasionally, not just left in the car turned off for months on end, and that he actually knows how to make a call should the need arise.

My father had one on a similar basis and when I checked it, it was as flat as a pancake, and he didn't really seem sure how to use it.

^^Good points^^
A relative of ours who is a widow and lives alone, has a PAYG mobile and it is always flat, plus she doesn't really know how to use it. She drives, so we gave her a car charger for it. She has no idea where that is now and has never used it. The PAYG SIM is with Tesco I believe and has to be used at least once every 6 months. It's not a smartphone, so won't use any data out of the credit on it. She does know to call her answering machine until it answers once every few months or so, just to make a chargeable call. I think she has managed that so far, despite saying that whenever she remembers to do it the phone won't switch on - because its battery is flat!

She uses her computer daily and we have a system that notifies us if it hasn't been used in the last 24 hours. Not perfect, but more use than a dead mobile and she has to do nothing (literally) to activate it. Only time it has alerted us was when her computer had crashed - I called her before she called me to say her computer wouldn't work!

Rich40w

Thanks for the comments; interesting on the validity timescale as a three phone shop actually told me I would lose and unused credit after 30 days even if I used during the 30 days hence the question. .....I'll check Tesco. And on the charging front, my dad is aware and happy to keep it charged.

eDicky

Rich40w wrote: »

a three phone shop actually told me I would lose and unused credit after 30 days even if I used during the 30 days hence the question.

They were presumably referring to 30-day 'bundles' which of course they hope you will buy, but it's totally unnecessary for an occasional user. However Three will not work on a handset which does not have 3G capability, the cheaper 'dumbphone' ones do not, so perhaps an ASDA or Tesco SIM in a cheap or secondhand 2G phone is more practical.

flashg67

My OH has made a £10 top up on '3' last for over 12 months. Just top up when needed & make a short call every so often. There's no need to buy a bundle (which do only last 30 days)

cookie365

eDicky wrote: »

They were presumably referring to 30-day 'bundles' which of course they hope you will buy, but it's totally unnecessary for an occasional user. However Three will not work on a handset which does not have 3G capability, the cheaper 'dumbphone' ones do not, so perhaps an ASDA or Tesco SIM in a cheap or secondhand 2G phone is more practical.

Quite a few old candybar phones do have 3g, my old SE C902 for example. But not a 3310

Giffgaff have the advantage that you can keep your sim alive by receiving calls, so you don't have to use any of your credit. Though when you do use it their payg rates are rubbish.

Tesco have a lite tariff you have to ask customer services for; if your dad doesn't mind being on o2's network.

mobilejunkie

I've had an old PAYG Virgin sim for years. I send a free "BALANCE" text every 179 and the credit remains. Did that yesterday (a79 days) actualy. I also have another one with zero credit which is still alive by doing the same thing.

footyguy

Rich40w wrote: »

I'm on the look out for a no data PAYG sim that also has a long validity period. Basically my dad does not have a mobile but I would like to have the security of knowing there is an emergency mobile in his glovebox. He does not need any data but when I've looked, I can only find packages that have data attached and are only valid for 30 days.....can anyone advise where I can get a 'burner'? ;0)
Thanks guys!

All the major providers retain credit on a PAYG phone for at least 180 days/6 months of inactivity under their current offerings. Don't be confused by Vodafone (& Asda) suggesting they retain it for 270 days - they do, but you may have problems making that urgent outbound call after 180 days.
Some of the smaller players only retain it for 90days/3 months (and some of those only from the top up)
Inactivity is usually defined as a chargeable call or text.


(correct as at 02-Jun-2016)

Source, and full info here: http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/payg-inactivity-account-termination-and-credit-expiry


Edit: See also MSE's recommendation for your requirements here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/best-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards#occasional