SIM card only - like it used to be?

Penelope11

Years ago if you had a phone and you wanted a SIM card for some temporary or even permanent use, you'd pop into a shop or even a newsagent, buy a SIM for a few quid and that would be that.  Am I missing something in this supposed "SIM only" world, or can't you do that any more?

I have an old phone knocking around and would like to put a SIM in it 99% to take calls, so it can be a number I feel comfortable giving out to those people who I don't necessarily want to have my personal/work phone number.  Back in the day, you used to pay £10 or something, have the card, and it would be loaded with a few £ worth of call capability, then you'd go back to a big selection of shops and top it up as and when.

Could someone please in very simple terms explain to me whether I can still do that, and if not, what my next best option is. I don't want to get tied into anything, and want the result to be as close to how it used to be!

MikeJXE

Try 1p mobile £10 top up lasts about 4 months

1p text 1p per minute calls 

https://www.1pmobile.com/

ProDave

Or RWG who say top up never expires.

km1500

or EE which comes with a monthly bundle but you can text stop pack to 150 to revert it to old fashioned payg

Ms_Chocaholic

I'm with GiffGaff and can request SIM cards for friends etc that they would put into their phone and would work in the usual way. If you know someone on GiffGaff network you could ask them to get you a SIM card, it's pretty easy.

Neil49

Asda mobile.

https://mobile.asda.com/pay-as-you-go

savergrant

Some things are a bit different now. Partly because of malicious calling and terror acts you can't just pick up a sim and pay cash anonymously. So you will generally have to give a name and address and register the sim before you can make calls or send messages.
Also due to increasing ownership networks will stop and eventually disconnect numbers which aren't making outgoing calls or texts.
That said rwg are one of few networks that don't require regular topups, only regular outgoing usage. So if you can make a call every three months that is your best option, and they have pretty low charges.

savergrant

Neil49 said:

Asda mobile.

https://mobile.asda.com/pay-as-you-go

Asda small print says you need to make regular topups now.

"After 180 days without topping-up or purchasing a bundle your account will become restricted and you won't be able to make calls, send texts or use data, however you will still be able to receive inbound calls and texts.

We will send you a text message when you reach 180 days of inactivity, to reactivate your account, you will need to call us on 0808 006 2732 from any phone (free of charge) and top-up or purchase a bundle.

If after a further 90 days you haven’t contacted us to top-up or purchase a bundle your account will be expired, once your account is expired you will no longer be able to retrieve the mobile number or any credit remaining on the account."

MikeJXE

savergrant said:

Neil49 said:

Asda mobile.

https://mobile.asda.com/pay-as-you-go

Asda small print says you need to make regular topups now.

I have the Asda sim only rolling month unlimited calls and text 3GB data £5 a month 

savergrant

Some people have said that after their accounts entered restricted states they called asdamobile and were able to topup £1 to remove the restriction (keeping the existing credit) but not ideal.

savergrant

Penelope11 how much usage might the phone get?
Payg rates are going up in price and you can get a monthly bundle from about £3pm and not be committed beyond the month. What does the coverage checker say about network coverage where you live/work/make phone calls? All networks are not at all equal across the country.
But rwg is the closest thing to old-fashioned payg.
https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/offers/order-a-free-sim-top-up-or-add-bundle-later/