Old type basic phone with cheapest tariff.

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I realise that the old basic phones (don't want a smart phone) are making a comeback somewhat and not expensive, loads on sale from what I see from Argos etc, from less than a tenner or so.

I understand that some companies are doing pay as you go tariff from 3p, cant remember exactly what company, so can anyone recommend maybe a phone that has the least expensive per min pay as you go call charge?

Many thanks

Neil_Jones

o2 used to do it but I think they've stopped doing that now, unless you can get some surplus SIMs that haven't been sold. Existing customers aren't affected.

The only other PAYG company that does calls at 3p is Three, but a lot of the "dumb" phones are 2G only, and Three doesn't have a 2G network so their SIMs won't work in those phones.

Cisco001

Three 3 2 1

These are cheap feature phone support 3G

ALCATEL 2038X £17
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALCATEL-2038X-UK-SIM-Free-Smartphone-Grey/dp/B072QGTV6D/ref=asc_df_B072QGTV6D/?!!!!!googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309785494452&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13959887271529842189&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007256&hvtargid=pla-756418932872&psc=1

Alcatel 3026X £20
https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/3026x-2aalwe1/alcatel-3026x2aalwe1-3026x-mobile-phone--

mac.d

The already mentioned Three with their 3-2-1 tariff is the best for a low user, but requires a 3G capable phone, and most of the basic type phones are only 2G.

There is the Nokia 3310 that is a 'retro-style' for £49 that could be used with the Three sim: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7908930

Alternative networks with cheap prices that can be used with a basic 2G phone:

1pMobile (1p/minute, 1p/text and 1p/MB) - but a minimum top-up of £10 every 120 days (4 months). Uses EE network.

Asda mobile (8p/minute, 4p/text and 5p/MB). Uses EE network.
Can also get same prices with the Tesco PAYG Lite (on 02 network) but think you have to sign up with standard PAYG then phone to get the Lite package.

Giffgaff (15p/minute, 5p/text) but now you're heading towards bundles being better value.

justaquestion

Thanks a lot folks, the phone is for a special needs non verbal child, and I have had a look at a few in Argos and Vodaphone, think this one might fit the bill as its mainly to try to get child used to answering phone by pressing the button and listening, and it does look quite big compared to others.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8796598

Now in Vodaphone the cost is £15 +£10 initial top up which will run out after30 days, they did say instore that they could then switch to a different plan of £5 that costs 20p a min but this is all confusing to me as their online chat seems to suggest that all bundles will run out after 30 days.

So I think maybe better to go for the sim free phone from Argos which is £35. There is an offer on it for a sim anywhere card what ever that means?

DO you think the sim free phone might be best for our needs, and any recommendation for best sim to use appreciated. Obviously the child wont be making any calls, we just want the phone to be able to stay as active as long as possible to receive calls.

Many thanks.

Neil_Jones

The bundles run for 30 days, you renew them at the appropriate price on a monthly basis.

All sim-free means is that the phone isn't tied to any specific mobile phone network. So you could get an EE, o2 or Vodafone sim and it would work in that phone. See note above re: the Three network if the phone doesn't support 3G.

Note that most PAYG tariffs require you to make a chargeable call on average every 120 days, some more, some less, otherwise you will lose the number and any credit.

Farway

As SIM free and any provider, and as no calls would be made except to keep within the 120 day use { send a text every six months maybe] I'd use a convenient place, like Asda, uses the EE network

You can get a free PAYG sim from them here or buy in store, 50p I think

They come with a limited free allowance on them, top up by buying a voucher at most corner shops, top up is fiver, some, like O2 are minimum tenner top up


Just watch out you get the PAYG option & not a 30 day bundle

caveman38

Farway wrote: »

As SIM free and any provider, and as no calls would be made except to keep within the 120 day use { send a text every six months maybe] I'd use a convenient place, like Asda, uses the EE network

You can get a free PAYG sim from them here or buy in store, 50p I think

They come with a limited free allowance on them, top up by buying a voucher at most corner shops, top up is fiver, some, like O2 are minimum tenner top up


Just watch out you get the PAYG option & not a 30 day bundle

I did exactly that because my son lives in an area where my O2 smartphone occasionally fails to get a signal and I look after their kids once a week and needed some insurance. I used an old non smartphone, popped into Asda and picked up a 50p EE SIM card and keep it in my glove compartment with £10 on it. I charge it rarely and make a call to myself quarter to maintain the contract. BTW EE works brilliantly at his house, why I do not know.

justaquestion

caveman38 wrote: »

I did exactly that because my son lives in an area where my O2 smartphone occasionally fails to get a signal and I look after their kids once a week and needed some insurance. I used an old non smartphone, popped into Asda and picked up a 50p EE SIM card and keep it in my glove compartment with £10 on it. I charge it rarely and make a call to myself quarter to maintain the contract. BTW EE works brilliantly at his house, why I do not know.

Thanks for all replies.

So I have the sim free 2g phone reserved at Argos,

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7908930

Now its just a case of getting the right PAYG sim that will enable calls to the phone, as no calls or Texts will be made from it (other than just to fullfill the terms and conditions) as the child is non verbal.

If at all possible I dont want even to be topping up after 120 days, just let it run till credit runs out and then top up the sim account.

Thanks for all the good advice.

caveman38

justaquestion wrote: »

Thanks for all replies.

So I have the sim free 2g phone reserved at Argos,

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7908930

Now its just a case of getting the right PAYG sim that will enable calls to the phone, as no calls or Texts will be made from it (other than just to fullfill the terms and conditions) as the child is non verbal.

If at all possible I dont want even to be topping up after 120 days, just let it run till credit runs out and then top up the sim account.



Thanks for all the good advice.

All you need do is a choose a PAYE SIM who's signal strength is good where you live. Regarding money, I've had my ASDA EE for a year and spent less than 50p off the £10. Fortunately I haven't had to use it either - apart from my quarterly obligatory call.

DCFC79

You can get the Nokia phones like the 3310 but an up to date version pretty cheap and get a payg sim, as long as you send a send a text once a month the credit would last a while.