(Very) Old O2 PAYG SIM Card

KittaKatta

Hi, I have received the following message from O2 on my (very old) backup mobile phone:

"Hi, We've made some updates to our network & unfortunately we no longer support older SIMs. To keep you connected, you'll need to switch to a new SIM. Pick one up from your local O2 store (photo ID required) or contact us on 4445 from your O2 mobile or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone and we'll get one sent out to you. For more info visit o2.co.uk/2g-sim-swap. Thanks, O2".

The SIM card is admittedly probably about 20 years old. I use the phone mainly for receiving text messages for logins, and the phone uses no mobile data (it's too old for that, but it's very reliable). I only top up £10 every few years (!).

I called O2 expecting to receive a new PAYG SIM card at the same conditions, but instead they tried to sell me a minimum £5/month contract. 

Do PAYG SIM cards no longer exist? 

Many thanks for your advice.

Mark_d

Yes PAYG SIM cards still exist.  You are happy with your current arrangement you just need the physical SIM card replacing.

PHK

You can buy one for about a £1 in many newsagents and then go to that link to swap your number and tariff onto it. 

Neil_Jones

KittaKatta said:

Hi, I have received the following message from O2 on my (very old) backup mobile phone:

"Hi, We've made some updates to our network & unfortunately we no longer support older SIMs. To keep you connected, you'll need to switch to a new SIM. Pick one up from your local O2 store (photo ID required) or contact us on 4445 from your O2 mobile or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone and we'll get one sent out to you. For more info visit o2.co.uk/2g-sim-swap. Thanks, O2".

The SIM card is admittedly probably about 20 years old. I use the phone mainly for receiving text messages for logins, and the phone uses no mobile data (it's too old for that, but it's very reliable). I only top up £10 every few years (!).

I called O2 expecting to receive a new PAYG SIM card at the same conditions, but instead they tried to sell me a minimum £5/month contract. 

Do PAYG SIM cards no longer exist? 

Many thanks for your advice.

PAYG Sims do exist but providers make more money off rolling contracts.

You don't have to stick with o2 if the phone is unlocked, you can move around.

KittaKatta

Mark_d said:

Yes PAYG SIM cards still exist.  You are happy with your current arrangement you just need the physical SIM card replacing.

I'd love to continue as it is, but O2 claims that it's not possible and they only offered me a £5/month deal instead...

KittaKatta

PHK said:

You can buy one for about a £1 in many newsagents and then go to that link to swap your number and tariff onto it. 

PHK said:

You can buy one for about a £1 in many newsagents and then go to that link to swap your number and tariff onto it. 

Can I find it with O2 or do I have to move with someone else? I still have about £11 on my current one. If I move to another company will I lose it?

KittaKatta

Neil_Jones said:

KittaKatta said:

Hi, I have received the following message from O2 on my (very old) backup mobile phone:

"Hi, We've made some updates to our network & unfortunately we no longer support older SIMs. To keep you connected, you'll need to switch to a new SIM. Pick one up from your local O2 store (photo ID required) or contact us on 4445 from your O2 mobile or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone and we'll get one sent out to you. For more info visit o2.co.uk/2g-sim-swap. Thanks, O2".

The SIM card is admittedly probably about 20 years old. I use the phone mainly for receiving text messages for logins, and the phone uses no mobile data (it's too old for that, but it's very reliable). I only top up £10 every few years (!).

I called O2 expecting to receive a new PAYG SIM card at the same conditions, but instead they tried to sell me a minimum £5/month contract. 

Do PAYG SIM cards no longer exist? 

Many thanks for your advice.

PAYG Sims do exist but providers make more money off rolling contracts.

You don't have to stick with o2 if the phone is unlocked, you can move around.

Sounds good, I'll have to check around. Do you know if the credit I still have can be transferred, or will I lose it?

greyteam1959

You will definitely loose the credit 

flaneurs_lobster

PHK said:

You can buy one for about a £1 in many newsagents and then go to that link to swap your number and tariff onto it. 

That sounds wrong, for a SIM swap the provider has to supply the new SIM.

Sounds like OP has a "legacy" tariff, much like the O2 Classic that's in the phone I'm typing this on. I don't think O2 have a pure PAYG product any more, or if they do they make it very hard to aquire. 

Neil_Jones

Here you go:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/best-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards/#occasional

Most "traditional" PAYG options require you to top up regularly, iD Mobile ie is the best example as they require £10 every two months, well that's £60 a year and if you don't use it that often you'll ultimately end up with more credit than you know what to do with.

Unfortunately PAYG has always been the poor man's mobile option and there is no required provision to refund any credit if you up sticks to somebody else (some providers may do it but they are under no obligation to do so).  You can always donate £10 of the £11 credit you have to Children in Need or something by text, and then feel not as bad that you're only loosing £1 instead of £11 for example if you find another provider.

Here's how to move provider these days (note you don't need to talk to 02, its all automated and you can do it with a text and a form on the new provider's website) and keep your number:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/switching-mobile-phone-provider/

PHK

flaneurs_lobster said:

PHK said:

You can buy one for about a £1 in many newsagents and then go to that link to swap your number and tariff onto it. 

That sounds wrong, for a SIM swap the provider has to supply the new SIM.

Sounds like OP has a "legacy" tariff, much like the O2 Classic that's in the phone I'm typing this on. I don't think O2 have a pure PAYG product any more, or if they do they make it very hard to aquire. 

This isn't right for O2. 

You cam just buy one and then use the swap sims link to transfer existing tariff, number etc