Looking for a SIM only pay as you go for alarm system

RoadToRiches

I used to have a virgin sim in my home alarm system that would text me and call me if the alarm went off. I was expecting this to be working however last night the alarm was triggered and no text or call came in.  On checking the alarm it was a false alarm but I was alarmed to hear that Virgin Media in their infinite wisdom decided to cancel my pay as you go sim card. I had another one for my mom so she could reach me in an emergency too and they had disconnected that too.

We had no prior notice to the disconnection, mom does not do internet or text messaging and she's in her 80's. She'd use the mobile once in a blue moon and both sims had credit on them.

Anyway now I am without sim cards and wondering if there is any other provider who would provide a SIM only deal that does not require monthly top up's or top ups every XX days to keep it active. This was what I had with Virgin Media we had a large credit on the alarm sim which managed to get back but the idea was that it would only ring out or text very rarely so there is no need for monthly ongoing costs.

Any advice on who to go with now?

flaneurs_lobster

Wouldn't any notice of imminent cancellation have been sent by SMS? Not likely to be seen if the sim was in an alarm system or a non-texting Mother's phone. 

Was your Virgin service using O2's network? You could get a couple of sims from Giffgaff (uses O2) and top-up with a tenner each. Credit doesn't expire but needs use every six months to keep it active. Referral code (earns you/referrer £5/sim) available on request. Can check status of sims online/app.

EDIT : should add that texts cost 10p each

RoadToRiches

Someone appears to be selling o2 sim only old PAYG contracts with carry over of credit on ebay, but have to top up £10 every 6 months, which I think is the best now available with calls at 3p, texts at 2p and 1p / Mb data (Not needed)

Murmansk

Maybe try RWG? See threads on here

flaneurs_lobster

O2 Classic sim? Still some available on ebay for little more than postage. Wasn't aware that ongoing top up was needed.

One thing to check on these sims is the "Must activate by" date on the packaging, I've got a couple and the date is 17/09/22.

eDicky

RoadToRiches said:

 Virgin Media in their infinite wisdom decided to cancel my pay as you go sim card. I had another one for my mom so she could reach me in an emergency too and they had disconnected that too.

Why were they disconnected? If it was because of inactivity beyond the stipulated period within which a topup or a chargeable event is needed (call, SMS or data use) to maintain PAYG service, that is normal with any network and is indicated in their terms of service.

cymruchris

For an alarm system, you want reliability and dependability as you've already found out to your detriment. Most (if not all) sim-card providers have now cottoned on to the low use user in applications such as alarms and have introduced minimum top-ups and/or minimum use rules. I've got an alarm at home that has a sim-card inside that costs me around £3.50ish a month. It's multi-network, and will latch on to the strongest signal in your area. Something like this would be the best option if you wanted absolute peace-of-mind without having to worry about whether you've been cut-off or not due to ever-changing PAYG rules.

https://www.globalm2msim.com/product/voice-and-sms-sim-10-plan/

RoadToRiches

eDicky said:

RoadToRiches said:

 Virgin Media in their infinite wisdom decided to cancel my pay as you go sim card. I had another one for my mom so she could reach me in an emergency too and they had disconnected that too.

Why were they disconnected? If it was because of inactivity beyond the stipulated period within which a topup or a chargeable event is needed (call, SMS or data use) to maintain PAYG service, that is normal with any network and is indicated in their terms of service.

Virgin media took a business decision to stop their PAYG service for everyone in January this year. I only found out after alarm was recently triggered. I was blissfully unaware they even cancelled it till yesterday and assumed all was well. Was with them since 2014 and all was good till now.

Mister_G

flaneurs_lobster said:

O2 Classic sim? Still some available on ebay for little more than postage. Wasn't aware that ongoing top up was needed.

One thing to check on these sims is the "Must activate by" date on the packaging, I've got a couple and the date is 17/09/22.

The O2 Classic PAYG does not need topping up, but does need one chargeable event every 6 months.  I've had two of them now (both off of ebay) for over 2 years now.

Msanl

I am looking for the same, do you have any recommendation for 2024/2025? I was with 1p mobile but now I have to pay 10£ minimum every 3 months, it's too much.

PHK

Is this an old style alarm that calls out when activated or a modern system that checks in regularly via data/internet?