Do I need an address and bank account to get a PAYG phone contract?

emmaggreen

My partner’s son is moving back to the UK after living in USA since he was a child. He has a phone but no permanent address (he’s starting off in Air BnB until he can find permanent housing) and no UK bank account. Would anyone know if it’s possible for him to pick up a SIM and get a PAYG bundle on one of the big networks without either of these please? Thanks for any help you can offer.

flaneurs_lobster

You can walk into just about any supermarket/corner shop and buy a PAYG SIM + credit with no ID required at all. Might be a little harder if there really is a requirement for it to be with a "big network", don't think eg O2 support a PAYG product any longer.

Adding further credit would require buying vouchers in a store since adding credit otherwise would normally require setting up some kind of online account (with ID requirements).

Is it a US phone? assume it's not locked to a US carrier which will be problematic. Just try a borrowed UK SIM to check all OK.

Veteransaver

No Any PAyG SIM can be topped up with a voucher bought at a shop, or some cash points (ie someone else can top it up if they have the number).

ballyblack

PAYGO contract is a Oxymoron

Murmansk

I understand that in some countries you can't get hold of a SIM card without providing ID details but here it's fairly free and easy by comparison with SIM cards all over the place in supermarkets etc

PHK

ballyblack said:

PAYGO contract is a Oxymoron

You are several years out of date. Many providers offer them. The difference being you pay for the month and calls ahead rather than in arrears. 

You get a cheaper rate for committing eg Lebara 12month prepay contract.