Cheap PAYG 4G SIM for when broadband goes down?

itm2

We've been having terrible problems with Virgin Media broadband lately - 3 separate outages of 9+ hours in the last 2 weeks. I have a 4G router which I've been using with a couple of Three Data Reward SIMs, but we're burning through the free allowance pretty quickly and the top-ups are really not very good value (e.g. £20 for 5GB). 
Can anyone recommend a PAYG data SIM for (hopefully) occasional use which offers a good deal on larger data top-ups (e.g. 3-10GB)?

531063

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-Pay-Broadband-Data-Black/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=asc_df_B01M3VJ2B2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311059984004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13868538857399372928&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006912&hvtargid=pla-617954708567&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Don't top it up just buy another 1

itm2

531063 said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-Pay-Broadband-Data-Black/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=asc_df_B01M3VJ2B2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311059984004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13868538857399372928&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006912&hvtargid=pla-617954708567&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Don't top it up just buy another 1

Thanks for that - interesting option. I was hoping to find one which had zero upfront cost - i.e. only pay when you need the data *(plus I suppose sending an SMS or something every few months to keep the account active). Although this one only works out at £1.50 per month if you average it over 2 years I suppose.

matelodave

531063 said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-Pay-Broadband-Data-Black/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=asc_df_B01M3VJ2B2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311059984004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13868538857399372928&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006912&hvtargid=pla-617954708567&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Don't top it up just buy another 1

This is what I use as well,

I've keep a couple of spares and just use them as required (mainly when away in the caravan or on my mates boat).

The £36 cost is pretty good at the moment  as Three want £60 for them, Argos are charging £45 and My Memory who usually have a good deal want £55. I actually got one from Amazon for £28 on Black Friday last year, so I try to get one when I see them on offer as they don't start expiring until they are activated.

Nearly all other suppliers are only offering data sim card s with a 30 day expiry.

itm2

Interesting that they don't start expiring until they are activated - so in principle you could get 24 months from the date of first use?
Is there a time limit on activation?

matelodave

Not as far as I know - I've been using them for nearly three years, the first one lasted about 18 months before we used it all and the present "in use" one was activated earlier this year I bought a couple of years ago. It still has around Gbit's left on it (we've been away in the caravan with the grandkids and they bashed it a bit)

Of the two spares, one I bought last year for £28 and the second was a £36 one a week or so ago. I've found that you have to get them when you see them as the offers don't last long ( I should have lashed out on a second £28 last year when they were really cheap).
In my view you are better off having one to hand than having to hunt around and get one when you suddenly find a need and they then cost twice as much.

alanjones60

Iv got the three free 200mb a month sim in my phone also. If you dial 444 option 3 you will find it acts as the normal 321 tarriff. If you put £20 credit on it will offer you 12gb data. On threes website it dosent offer it on the data sim

matelodave

alanjones60 said:

Iv got the three free 200mb a month sim in my phone also. If you dial 444 option 3 you will find it acts as the normal 321 tarriff. If you put £20 credit on it will offer you 12gb data. On threes website it dosent offer it on the data sim

how long does the 12gb last, the problem being that if its only 30 days, you lose any thats not been used. The 12 or 24gb sims last either 12 or 24 months and so can be a bit more flexible as you can use them when you like until either the data allowance or time period expires.

alanjones60

It is only 30 days

Pingping

Used the Amazon sims before too, work great. Don’t top them up, just buy a new one