Is there a PAYG (Pay As You Go) backup SIM that does not require any ongoing top-ups?

Flying_Lizards

Despite reading MSE and researching online, I haven't been able to find a Pay As You Go (PAYG) secondary or backup SIM that doesn't require ongoing top-ups. I understand that networks need to make a profit and fund their infrastructure.

My phone supports dual-SIM capability, and I like having an extra network as a backup just in case.

Currently, I have a 1p Mobile secondary SIM, but they recently changed their policy to require regular top-ups to avoid losing any remaining credit. Previously, the requirement was every six months. I now have £18+ which goes pop in a month.

 Appreciate your assistance folks  

mluton

Cheapest thing I know of is, but allowance may not help much: https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/data-only/1-year-sim-data-only-100mb-per-month/

Which I use for a GPS Tracker, but still allows me to call and text the number.

flaneurs_lobster

From recent experience, Asda & Giffgaff will send you a free PAYG SIM which needs a top-up (Asda Min £5, Giffgaff £10) but will then run forever as long as you make a call/send a text every 6 months. 

Classic O2 PAYG SIMS still available on eBay for less than postage, mine's still working after 3 years w/out top-up but other's mileage has varied.

TalkHome have been mentioned here for having similar (+ cheap 3/2/1p rates) but no personal experience.

Choice will be influenced by you wanting a different network from your primary number (or not).

Spend that £18 on an SMS charity donation (or ITV Win entries).

Frozen_up_north

mluton said:

Cheapest thing I know of is, but allowance may not help much: https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/data-only/1-year-sim-data-only-100mb-per-month/

Which I use for a GPS Tracker, but still allows me to call and text the number.

That’s a data only SIM.

The O2 Classic (mostly discontinued) used to have the balance valid indefinitely, provided you made an occasional call. They are shown on Amazon for £2.99, or around 99p on eBay, and appear to work OK according to the reviews.

O2 Classic is 3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB

Olinda99

you can buy an EE PAYG sim with a £10 bundle. The default is £10/month but you can turn this off when you get the sim ( text stop pack to 150) and it will switch to standard payg - just make a call every 6 months to keep.it active

d123

Have a look at this list

https://payg.pythonanywhere.com/

Frozen_up_north

d123 said:

Have a look at this list

https://payg.pythonanywhere.com/

Beware, the dates shown in the list are up to 4 years old and may have changed from those shown.

Sea_Shell

Frozen_up_north said:

mluton said:

Cheapest thing I know of is, but allowance may not help much: https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/data-only/1-year-sim-data-only-100mb-per-month/

Which I use for a GPS Tracker, but still allows me to call and text the number.

That’s a data only SIM.

The O2 Classic (mostly discontinued) used to have the balance valid indefinitely, provided you made an occasional call. They are shown on Amazon for £2.99, or around 99p on eBay, and appear to work OK according to the reviews.

O2 Classic is 3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB

I was going to ask the same question as I look to upgrade my main phone, but want a genuinely contract free, indefinite balance SIM to put in my old (but still working) phone for emergency calls whilst out running etc.

Happy to make a call or text periodically to keep it valid.

Will look at this ^

savergrant

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/offers/order-a-sim/

Costs £1, no further topup needed, need to make a call or text (5p) every 90 days to keep active.

Or tesco lite;
https://www.tescomobile.com/help/usage-and-top-up/pay-as-you-go/pay-as-you-go-tariffs#accordion-a7fbe92d85-item-631ec2fccd

d123

Frozen_up_north said:

d123 said:

Have a look at this list

https://payg.pythonanywhere.com/

Beware, the dates shown in the list are up to 4 years old and may have changed from those shown.

Pete Foreman (who’s site it is) has posted the link quite recently on Digital Spy so I would presume it to still be accurate.

zagfles

Flying_Lizards said:

Despite reading MSE and researching online, I haven't been able to find a Pay As You Go (PAYG) secondary or backup SIM that doesn't require ongoing top-ups. I understand that networks need to make a profit and fund their infrastructure.

My phone supports dual-SIM capability, and I like having an extra network as a backup just in case.

Currently, I have a 1p Mobile secondary SIM, but they recently changed their policy to require regular top-ups to avoid losing any remaining credit. Previously, the requirement was every six months. I now have £18+ which goes pop in a month.

 Appreciate your assistance folks  

You seem to have misunderstood 1pmobile's change in policy. They used to require regular topups, £10 every 4 months, now they don't. They require a minimum spend of £10 every 2 months (60 days to be precise).

So £18 will not "go pop in a month". At some point, whenever your 2 month window is up, they'll charge you the balance of £10 minus what you spent, and as you have £18 this will cover it with some spare, then you'll have another 2 months before you have to top up to cover the next period's min spend. 

There does seem to be a way round this although I'm not sure if they'll cotton on and stop it. If you buy the cheapest boost ie the £3 1GB data only, untick the recurring box when buying it, then when it expires after 30 days, it resets the timer and you have 60 days for the min spend. Shortly before the 60 days expires, buy another £3 data boost, and repeat. So £18 could last almost 18 months! 

But wouldn't rely on it if you need the number!