Do pay as you go sims still exist?

Krakkkers

Just had a look at giffgaff and tesco. I don't doubt that those contracts exist but i see no way of signing up to them now, its all monthly payments.

flaneurs_lobster

Krakkkers said:

Just had a look at giffgaff and tesco. I don't doubt that those contracts exist but i see no way of signing up to them now, its all monthly payments.

The point with PAYG is that there is no contract to sign up to, the monthly recurring top-ups are optional.

 For Giffgaff

Go here https://www.giffgaff.com/free-sim-cards

Order a free SIM card without a package (click the button that says "No thanks, I just want a free SIM")

When it arrives activate it online and add £10 credit, you now have a pure PAYG SIM.

Asda's much the same, but the minimum topup's £5.  https://mobile.asda.com/order-free-sim

Tesco's proffer is an absoute nightmare of Rockets, packages, recurring bundles, triple top-ups and more. Cannot be arsed wading through it all, maybe have a word next time you're in Tesco.

pseudodox

I have a PAYG with ASDA (dumb phone, no internet/WiFi facility) as a back up to my contract SIM only smartphone.  Requires me to make one chargeable call or text every 6 months to keep the SIM active.  Plus a top up every 6 months, which can be as little as £5.  If I find money is building up through lack of use I text a surplus amount to a charity that I would have donated to anyway either by cash, bank payment or whatever.  Phone lives in my car or rucksack when out & about & is switched off so battery lasts for months.

Murmansk

Krakkkers said:

Just had a look at giffgaff and tesco. I don't doubt that those contracts exist but i see no way of signing up to them now, its all monthly payments.

I seem to remember reading on here that you need to sign-up to one of their standard arrangements and then opt to go to the Lite tariff from there. 

moonpenny

I have an old Sony mobile (not smart phone) I buy a Vodaphone top up at £10 from Asda when needed.  I think you can also get £5 top ups too and from loads of shops.

pinkladyvenus

I am with 1p mobile you can get a SIM for £40 which lasts a year before you need to top up again. its 1p a text, call etc. https://www.1pmobile.com/siminfo?simtype=STD1YR

savergrant

Krakkkers said:

So i guess the answer is those kinds of contacts don't exist anymore, looked on Tesco but they are all monthly payments now

Most networks do offer traditional payg tariffs but you have to opt out of buying bundles. AFAIK you can still access the tesco lite tariff but you do need to get a sim and then switch to it;
https://www.tescomobile.com/terms-and-conditions/lite

As with the rwg tariff they appear to be the only current options which do not require you to topup at least every six months. Rwg requires a chargeable call or text every 90 days or the sim is restricted then deactivated after 180 days. Most are much more demanding. Also most payg providers charge 15p pm or more

J_B

My in-laws both have 'real' PAYG on EE - one has about £2 on it from 2021 and the other maybe a Fiver, so, yes they still exist

PHK

You can certainly get a SIM that you put money on and then pay as you use it. But you need to remember there will be some sort of minimum use requirement. (Ofcom makes the providers recycle phone numbers that aren't in use)

Generally a call or chargeable action needs to take place within a period defined by the provider OR there will be a minimum spend. 

You wouldn't want to be in the situation where she can't call because it's been too long since the last call. 

Remember, with these prepay monthly payments you are paying in advance so no money is owed. 

Honestly, for peace of mind it's much easier just to get a low value monthly payment (Offers from 99p or regular tariffs from £3) or you can buy one or two years use in advance for £30 to £50

cymruchris

PHK said:

You can certainly get a SIM that you put money on and then pay as you use it. But you need to remember there will be some sort of minimum use requirement. (Ofcom makes the providers recycle phone numbers that aren't in use)

Generally a call or chargeable action needs to take place within a period defined by the provider OR there will be a minimum spend. 

You wouldn't want to be in the situation where she can't call because it's been too long since the last call. 

Remember, with these prepay monthly payments you are paying in advance so no money is owed. 

Honestly, for peace of mind it's much easier just to get a low value monthly payment (Offers from 99p or regular tariffs from £3) or you can buy one or two years use in advance for £30 to £50

That's exactly what I alluded to above. As much as the OP wants to go as 'money saving' as possible - there's a line between money saving and safety. For an elderly relative, telling them they must do this every few months to keep the sim alive might end up being forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life, and when the time comes that a call needs to be made - it just won't work. Much better to have a low monthly commitment that you know that phone will be ready for use at any time. (Subject to it being charged!)