SIM card only - like it used to be?

savergrant

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/

Penelope11

Wow, some great suggestions here, thank you all. Thanks also for not laughing at my question, I feel very old and out of touch reading the "sim only deals" pages. Not heard of rwg before.

Someone asked about usage - outgoing probably never (except the next few weeks when I may have to call people back, see below), but if I had to make one call once every blue moon to keep it active (if that's what it sounds like you have to do nowadays) I could do that.  I've done a massive clearout and am looking to sell some items over the next few weeks, so I'd like to give out this new phone number to take all those calls to all these strangers, rather than my usual number, that's a big reason right now. So receiving a fair few number of calls hopefully in the next few weeks and then, just the odd one or two a month probably.

savergrant

And if you want to pop into a shop you can still just about buy topup vouchers. Rwg can be topped up by nowmobile vouchers which (apparently) can be found in tesco. You can topup asdamobile in asda using an etopup card (I have done that in the past to add £5 to an account balance).

Other ways to top up

With a top-up card

-

Link your top-up card to your number through My Account. Alternatively, you can call us on 2732 (from the UK). Once you’re set up you can use your top-up card to buy mobile credit in Asda stores or anywhere you see the top-up logo ().

Order an asda sim (and choose to add an etopup card) here;

https://mobile.asda.com/order-sim

But rwg is significantly cheaper (less than half the price) and topup by calling with your credit/debit card or going online.

savergrant

Giffgaff t&Cs on staying connected. I don't see 'Or' or 'And' between a,b,c. Do you need to meet one condition only?;

Our rights to bar or disconnect your SIM Card

13.5. Your SIM Card will be disconnected unless, at least once every six months, your Account is used to:

• a) make at least one call, SMS or MMS to another number (not including calls to emergency services or Member Services or 0800 numbers or texts/calls to free rated numbers);
• b) make at least one connection to the Internet;
• c) make at least one airtime credit or Bundle purchase

Penelope11

Just looked at Asda to start with - am I right that the cheapest way to do this is to pay £5, but that only lasts for one month?  Then I'd have to pay £5 each month to have a SIM that receives calls and makes just the odd call?  So I'm "tied in" so to speak to keep paying Asda to have that SIM to receive calls.  Would rather not have that monthly payment.

savergrant

Giffgaff page on voucher topups;
https://www.giffgaff.com/help/articles/add-credit-with-a-voucher

More expensive though, unless you are calling other giffgaff users and you have topped up in the last 90 days.

prowla

RWG have a good deal.

I bought an EE SIM last month which doesn't require regular top-ups.

I set a date each month where I do a ping/keep-alive call so they don't take the SIM out of service.

Penelope11

... oh, took a look at rwg - is that the same as Asda in that you have to pay something each month?  Am I missing the solution from either these two providers: a free SIM that can receive calls then pay as you go to make them?

savergrant

Penelope11 said:

Just looked at Asda to start with - am I right that the cheapest way to do this is to pay £5, but that only lasts for one month?  Then I'd have to pay £5 each month to have a SIM that receives calls and makes just the odd call?  So I'm "tied in" so to speak to keep paying Asda to have that SIM to receive calls.  Would rather not have that monthly payment.

There are two ways to do it.
A buy a one month plan
B just topup your phone

All networks are pushing people towards option a, where you get an allowance but they charge you each month whether you use it or don't.
I would suggest you click no to any offers to add anything other than an etopup card, then just add credit when you get the sim.
However rwg are significantly cheaper for light users, and posters on this forum have found them very helpful over the phone. You can topup with a one-off payment online too.

savergrant

Rwg website on topping up;

How do I top-up? 

The easiest way to top up is via our shop 

You can top-up via your phone by dialling 669, option 1 and using our interactive voice service 

You can also top up by buying a NOW Mobile e-voucher from any Paypoint or Tesco store and dialling 669 to enter the unique code. 

You can purchase bundles of calls, texts and data via our website or contact support@rwgmobile.wales