2024 - Keep UK Mobile Number when studying abroad for a year

saving_noob

Hi All,

I've done some research on the forum and all questions of this type seem to be very old so I thought I'd ask afresh.

I'm moving to South Korea to study for a year, I'm taking my only phone with me and will get a local SIM while I'm out there.

I want to keep my UK number for when I return so how can I best do this?

As I'm taking my only phone with me, would it work to buy a cheap brick, use a PAC code to transfer the number to a PAYG SIM and then get family to make the odd call or SMS with it?

Thanks in advance

J

savergrant

One call every three months should be sufficient. Ask around as it is quite likely someone will have an old phone they can pop the sim into.  Failing that you could find something basic on ebay, it just needs to be able to make calls.

Sprogletto

You could move it to a VoIP service like Andrews & Arnold. It does cost quite a bit initially about £7ish for the first month but then each month will be £1.44. Al long as you have a UK bank capable of Direct Debit then they won’t be bothered. You don’t get any data, texts or calls included being a VoIP service but you can make and receive calls using a SIP based app or physical phone and receive SMS to your email. I’ve had a spare number on there for years for SMS verification and also have my old BT landline number on there.

ballyblack

Get a dual Sim Android phone Use the South Korean Sim for data. Xiaomi & Motorola have inexpensive dual sim mobiles

Murmansk

I think the option you have suggested yourself sounds best and you could transfer your number to an RWG SIM where you can do pay as you go or pay for a year or two in advance. 

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

If you put £10 on it, on a pay as you go basis, it'll easily cover your relatives making a call or two every couple of months during the time you are away.