Sim card text and calls only no data

Whizz51

Hello,
Three is soon changing its prices so this question - first asked in August 2014 and eventually resolved - has become pertinent again.  
My mobile use is pretty limited as I mainly carry the thing to be contacted. When I do use it I only make calls or texts, I don't need any Data.
I have a PAYG Sim with Three which has been superb in supplying just what I need but, with their charges rocketing, I'd like to find a no-contract, PAYG, provider for an unlocked phone at better prices than the new Three ones.
I'm searching the 'net but if anybody has suggestions or answers I'd be very glad to hear from them. 
Thanks,
Whizz51

Peter999_2

The cheapest that I have found for what you're asking is Asda mobile (uses EE) for 5p per MB, 8pm per min calls and 4p per text.       1pMobile is even better at 1p per MB, 1p per min and 1p per text  but the drawback to them is that you have to top up £10 every 4 months.

My parents are very low users but do like to make occasional calls.   I set them up with SMARTY.   SMARTY have a deal of £6 a month with unlimited calls and text and 1GB of data.   They don't have a smart phone so can't use the data so get £1 back at the end of the month.   I also added them to my SMARTY account (I have a phone for my wife) and this gets them another 10% (50p) off a month so in all they pay £4.50 for unlimited calls and texts.    It's helped them as they no longer worry about making calls and how long they are on them.

getmore4less

I am looking at three options to replace a "3"  321 tariff sim

There are still some O2 classics out there they are a 321 PAYG.  rate
I got 2 for 20p off ebay so not a lot to lose if O2 do a 3 and change the tariff(activate before Dec 2021)
probably the closest to a current 321 from 3

The sky mobile 100mb with unlimited calls/text is worth a look as it comes free with some phones
Cheapest is Nokia 105, £42 upfront or £1.50pm for 24m + £0.50 for 12m 
if the plan does not change for 3 years(~3p call on 3)  £42 is 9mins a week to pay for itself.
(they are unlimited but if you avereage less than 9mins a week better off with the 3p rateper minute.

It is not clear if the 3 data reward sims will be losing their 321 rate might be worth ordering one anyway.

McKneff

Do you have sky.
If so , I have a contract for £5 a month, unlimited calls, texts, 
There is data too but at @ fiver it's cheap enough 

macman

Asda Mobile is taking itself back to Vodafone from EE and not currently taking on new customers until that is complete.
I'd look at Plusnet Mobile and Lebara, though both are contract deals, it's only 30 days.

getmore4less

McKneff said:

Do you have sky.
If so , I have a contract for £5 a month, unlimited calls, texts, 
There is data too but at @ fiver it's cheap enough 

You can get that for £1.50pm with a phone.

You don't need to be a sky customer. 

EssexExile

If you hardly ever use the phone, like me, does it matter that much how much calls cost?

merchcon55

Very valid point. My aunt has the soon to be ending 321 Plan with 3 - but she barely uses it for outgoing calls. Messaging is done over WIFI and virtually all her internet access is when she is home, where her phone connects to WIFI. So the rates going up are really not a concern to her - We estimated she uses 5 minutes a month, so 7p per minute increase or 35p more per month - not even a fiver for the year - I think that's still a damn good deal for having access to a mobile network.

Whizz51

Thank you one and all!
You've confirmed much of what I'd learned but have given me a few more things to consider.
Increases I can live with - they are very much part of modern life - but it was 3's massive increase in charges of up to ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERCENT which has irritated me enough to want to move.
Any further advice is gratefully received.
Thanks again,
Whizz51

Rodders53

It's annoying that the prices have changed,  but you need to work out your use of calls, texts and data over 12 months...
From that choose possible suppliers and calculate the annual costs... include Three at the new 10/10/5 rate 'cos that will be your baseline to 'beat'.  Don't forget any 'compulsory chargeable event' costs - such as 1pmobiles regular topups 

As much as 3/2/1 to 10/10/5 is a massive, sudden, hike it may still be cheapest when taken over a full 12 months of your actual use?  Especially if the coverage is better in the locations you use it?

Stuart_W

For ultra low call/text I've been using the Phone Co-op in my old Nokia for the past 3 years, about half way through a £10 top up. 8p/min and 4p/text. Calls charged by the second, not the minute, minimum call cost 1p. Uses EE signal. Can't fault them. 
https://www.thephone.coop/personal/sim-only/pay-as-you-go/