SIM card only - like it used to be?

MikeJXE

Penelope11 said:

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.

Like I said before check out https://www.1pmobile.com/ it could be perfect 

datz

Penelope11 said:

I don't want to get tied into anything, and want the result to be as close to how it used to be!

Discontinued O2 Classic (new) SIM cards are still available on ebay - for less than £1 delivered.

£10 minimum top up. 3p/min calls, 2p/text, 1p/mb. Also grants access to their Priority scheme, if you care at all.

Regardless of what their website states (about requirements to keep it active), you still only need to make 1 chargeable call every 180 days, and top up once every 999 days. And if you allow it to lapse, O2 are (usually) pretty good about reactivating/reinstating credit - as long as you notice in a reasonable amount of time.

savergrant

"Regardless of what their website states (about requirements to keep it active)"

By which I presume you mean this;

"With Classic Pay As You Go, you pay for what you use, as you go. The minimum top up requirement is £10.

If you don't top up, or add a Bolt On at least once in any six month period, your mobile will be disconnected and you'll lose any credit on your account. If you want to be reconnected you'll be given a new mobile number."

Can you provide a link to the alternative terms and conditions you quote please?

As the plan is no longer available to new customers I would imagine o2 would be pretty keen to find pretexts to get out of the Agreement. In addition whenever you topup you are deemed to accept the t&cs in force at the time.

savergrant

Penelope11 said:

... 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?

"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."

You can receive calls without topping up/paying anything, although not indefinitely. If you have a spare phone or second sim slot in your phone you can just put in a free sim (from rwg, asda, vodafone, lebara, tesco) and start giving out the number. (The number will usually be printed on the packaging but may be texted to you when you put it in the phone.) The number will be active for at least six months (asda helpfully put a date on theirs)
After six months it is possible to port the number to another network to keep it, if you don't want to topup.

savergrant

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/offers/order-a-free-sim-top-up-or-add-bundle-later/

Will work fine for at least six months, if you haven't topped it up after that time it may go to receive only mode then be deactivated after another three months.
So to keep your number port it to another network before January 2024 to be safe.

savergrant

Asda sim envelope with handy activate-by date

savergrant

Rwg prices if you topup for occasional outbound calls;

savergrant

Once you have a sim from rwg you can topup on their website;

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/top-up/£5-top-up/

One-off payment gives you 100 minutes/outward texts. Credit will remain active so long as you make a call or text every 180 days.

k_man

savergrant said:

Once you have a sim from rwg you can topup on their website;

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/top-up/£5-top-up/

One-off payment gives you 100 minutes/outward texts. Credit will remain active so long as you make a call or text every 180 days.

In order to keep the SIM active, and allow outgoing calls/texts, a chargeable (or from allowance) call or text needs to be made at least every 90 days.

While this doesn't add much cost, it is something to remember to do

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/mobile-sim-card-t-c/

savergrant

Oops sorry, one call or text every 90 days on rwg.