Best PAYG sim card for emergency use only?

yorkrose1976

• This question has been asked before, however the question was asked way back in 2018 and it is quite possible (ok very) that the information contained within the answer is out of date, thus somewhat redundant. I was therefore wondering if anyone had any up to date information.
• I have a Dorro 2G phone, no connection to 'features' (smart or otherwise), just a basic phone for my basic needs. The phone I have can take 2 sim cards, the sim that is already in is for my 'security', i.e it is purely for when businesses need to send OTP etc, thus no credit is needed as the number stays active because texts are being sent. The second sim that I am wanting to install however, will be used as a very basic (very lightly used) credit sim, therein lies my problem. From the research I have undertaken all companies seem to want you to buy a 'bundle', even at a £5 bundle it is going to be surplus to my requirements (bare in mind I wouldn't need date and the Text/minutes are going to be way more than my requirements. I just want a 'traditional' sim whereby you pay (over the odds possibly) for the text/minutes you use. Does anyone know of such a company?

I thank you all in advance for (possibly) taking the time and trouble to read (and hopefully) reply to my question.

Pete99

Lebara Mobile allows you to switch freely online or via mobile app between monthly DD and PAYG with or without automatic top up if the credit drops below £3.

flaneurs_lobster

This question has been asked several times in the last year, let alone since 2018. There are sims that allow a credit (usually £5 or £10) to last forever as long as at least 1 chargeable event occurs every 3 or 6 months. Search on here for RWG mobile and ASDA mobile. I would suggest 3's data reward sim but your 2G Doro won't work with 3.

Can I ask what your first sim is that allows ongoing inbound service without credit? 

BUFF

RWG (this may well be the best for you on their free or teaser options ), ASDAmobile, Three. Some of them will want you to add credit to your sim but that credit will be valid for 6 months or more as long as the sim is in use (even 1 call/text every 6 months) - I have had something like £3 credit on my Three PAYG sim for the last 5 years (I use it as it is cheaper roaming in the USA than my normal provider's rates) ...

Does the particular network that they use have any impact on you (e.g. poor signal where you mostly use)?

Farway

BUFF said:

RWG (this may well be the best for you on their free or teaser options ), ASDAmobile, Three. Some of them will want you to add credit to your sim but that credit will be valid for 6 months or more as long as the sim is in use (even 1 call/text every 6 months) - I have had something like £3 credit on my Three PAYG sim for the last 5 years (I use it as it is cheaper roaming in the USA than my normal provider's rates) ...

Does the particular network that they use have any impact on you (e.g. poor signal where you mostly use)?

OP only has 2g phone, so 3 or clones will not work

BUFF

Good catch but if you take that to it's conclusion then seeing as Vodafone & EE have announced that they will shutter 2G in 2025 (3G in 2023!) that only leaves O2 for long term ...

Or he always has the option of getting a new, basic & cheap phone that will work on 4G & therefore any network for the foreseeable future.

flaneurs_lobster

Don't smart meters, bus countdown signs and emergency services' pagers all run on 2G? Bet that date gets punted into the deepest thick stuff.

cx6

You can buy an EE SIM card with a bundle and as soon as you get it text 'stop pack' to 150 and it will switch to 'normal' PAYG at 25p/min and 15p/text or whatever (check rates)

getmore4less

RWG 

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/pay-monthly-sims/free-50-mins-sms-plus-250mb-data/

£5 up front 50mins or text per month then 10p

getmore4less

O2 classic 321 Sims are still available on eBay 10p each.

I got some last year but we're activate before November.2021 there are reviews this year.

theoretica

getmore4less said:

RWG 

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/pay-monthly-sims/free-50-mins-sms-plus-250mb-data/

£5 up front 50mins or text per month then 10p

If you are confident you won't go over the 50 minutes go through this link and they don't charge the initial £5 https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/