Is there a SIM that only charges for actual calls made?

PHK

ThisIsWeird said:

savergrant said:

If you have the sim then yes. Pop it in a phone and text pac, then give the pac to a new provider.
My point is that there are providers who don't require regular topups, you could pay £1 for an rwg sim and keep it active for 5 years (actually 10 years if you're prepared to contact them after 90 days non-usage and before the 180 days disconnection)

Thank you - I get it.

Trying to keep things simple, tjo' - ie, not having to keep an eye on things - I'm minded to go for the super-cheap Lebara at £1.25pm (I'm with Lebara myself, so happy with them).

I've resurrected my daughter's ol' cracked iPhone 8, and it seems to be working ok, so I'll ask her to contact TalkMob, cancel her existing contract, and request a PAC. With that, I'll start a new account with Lib, insert the new PAC'd SIM, activate it, and then place it on her shelf until her return

Cheers.

No, if you cancel the contract you won't be able to use a PAC. 

You just request a PAC from Her old provider, give it to the new provider and on the day of the transfer the old contract is cancelled. 

Frozen_up_north

The official word on obtaining and using a PAC to swap numbers and cancel the existing contract (happens automatically when the PAC is given to the new network) is on the OFCOM web site: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/switching-mobile-phone-provider

There are still a few PAYG SIMs around that do not have a monthly charge, you just have to make an outgoing call every few months to keep them active. Any of those would do to just keep the number active.

ThisIsWeird

Thanks for the link, Frozen, and everyone else for their really helpful comments.

I'm minded to go Lebara just for simplicity, provided I can get their current £1.25 deal. I use them myself, and they are terrific value, so good chance daughter will simply upgrade to a heftier plan with them when she returns.

I have an old phone of hers her at home and got it to fire up, so I'll stick the SIM in there for activating and safe keeping.

I don't want the hassle of having to 'make a call' every few months - I just want to sort-and-forget! However, If I cannot get the Leb deal, then I will likely go no-monthly charge PAYG SIM.

Thanks all

Olinda99

Another alternative would be to get an EE PAYG sim with the £10 monthly bundle and then text 'stop pack'  to 150 - it will switch to ordinary PAYG where you have to make a call or top.up every six months to keep it active

shiraz99

You could try Giffgaff, I've been with them for years and they only require you to top up once in three months to keep the free calls option to other Giffgaff users afaik. You only have to use the phone once within a 6 month period to keep the SIM active.

ThisIsWeird

I've used GG before, and they are good.

Anyhoo - all sorted with Lebara, with the added advantage I can check both accounts - mine and daughter's - on the App.

Thanks all.

UncleJoes

I have been looking into this as well. Best options for genuine PAYG where you are overseas are Lebara or giffgaff. Both require a chargeable event at intervals. Lebara is every 90 days and giffgaff every 6 months, but both allow that chargeable event to be done anywhere. Everyone else requires it to be done in the UK. If the PAYG SIM is in the UK, the longest interval for a chargeable event is 6 months - giffgaff; Asda; Tesco and Three. Everyone else has shorter intervals.