True PAYG, no "monthly plan"?

savergrant

Aged in-laws have EE 'real' PAYG last topped up with a tenner in 2021

As long as they make a call or send a text every 6 (?) months, it remains active.

Similar to the above

Good for them. However I don't think it's available to new customers, you need to choose a monthly bundle when ordering a 'free' sim.

victor2

I have an elderly relative who is on her third PAYG mobile as she lost the previous two through never using them!
Current one is with Asda mobile and has credit on it. She knows to make a call or send a message every now and then to keep the number alive.
She "needs" it because she drives alone. But the battery is always flat and she's lost the car chargers given to her. Also, she hasn't a clue how to use it, despite having been shown many, many times!
If her car breaks down, her best bet will be to play the elderly confused female driver (won't be difficult) and wait for a sympathetic passing motorist, who will almost inevitably have a working smartphone! 

PHK

victor2 said:

I have an elderly relative who is on her third PAYG mobile as she lost the previous two through never using them!
Current one is with Asda mobile and has credit on it. She knows to make a call or send a message every now and then to keep the number alive.
She "needs" it because she drives alone. But the battery is always flat and she's lost the car chargers given to her. Also, she hasn't a clue how to use it, despite having been shown many, many times!
If her car breaks down, her best bet will be to play the elderly confused female driver (won't be difficult) and wait for a sympathetic passing motorist, who will almost inevitably have a working smartphone! 

You make a very good point. It’s all well and good having a mobile for emergencies but you have to remember to keep it charged and to send/make the keep alive text/call. 

And the temperature differences in a car will shorten the battery life. 

Plus, by the time someone needs it they’ve probably forgotten how to use it. 

With the advent of low cost yearly or two yearly plans. It’s better to persuade them to use a phone more often, it becomes something they are used to. Then when they need it they’ll have it to hand. 

ruflonger

I use RWG PAYG (EE) as emergency phone - simple pay-as-you-go basis. Say credit will never expire but do not say miminum use to keep number.

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/  -  to order it will cost £1.00 which is credit on the sim then top ups from £5.00

I also use Spusu (EE) £2.90 monthly plan.

No problems with either company. It is worth noting Spusu also has EU roaming included and have used plus 500 mins UK to EU calls which I have found useful

john1

RWG Terms and conditions

 8 You must make an outbound call or text in any 90-day period for your SIM to remain active. If you don't do this, the SIM will enter a restricted state which means you will only be able to receive inbound calls and texts.

Neil_Jones

ruflonger said:

I use RWG PAYG (EE) as emergency phone - simple pay-as-you-go basis. Say credit will never expire but do not say miminum use to keep number.

Your credit will never expire but that's not the same thing as not making  a chargeable call every x days (90 in the case of RWG)