free-to-order Pay As You Go SIM without upfront plan attached?

B1ng0

I'm trying to find out which providers still offer a truly free-to-order SIM, without added charges or plans when you order it. I plan to to use it as a backup through occasional top-ups only - ideally it would not be deactivated if I do not top it up for a few months.

There's some related info on the main MSE site and on the forum, but neither seem fully updated. For instance, ASDA mobile is listed under SIMs for occasional/backup use, but when you try to order a free SIM from them, you have to add at least a £5 monthly plan upfront now. The other providers listed there aren't clear as to whether I can just order a SIM and add top-up credit to it after I receive it.

I just don't want to fill my personal details in a form and then discover that I must add some credit upfront in the next step, before ordering the "free" SIM card.

flaneurs_lobster

Didn't know about the Asda change, thanks for the heads-up.

Try Giffgaff Free SIM cards | giffgaff

There's RWG, but they seem to be having some wobbles at the moment.

savergrant

https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/check-out-payasyougo-campaign?icmp=freesim-options_Pay-Later

https://www.tescomobile.com/order-sim

Just be careful to ensure you are opted out of any bundles BEFORE  you make your first topup

flaneurs_lobster

Almost forgot the O2 Classic, from eBay. Not quite free, but the last time I shopped I got two for 30p (including postage!). Needs a £10 top-up.

B1ng0

flaneurs_lobster said:

Didn't know about the Asda change, thanks for the heads-up.

Try Giffgaff Free SIM cards | giffgaff

There's RWG, but they seem to be having some wobbles at the moment.

thanks, I forgot to mention that I'm looking for a network other than O2 (used by giffgaff).
The free SIM  offered by RWG has a £1 charge, no big deal but I'd just prefer no upfront payments of any kind.

Bertiebestdog

GiffGaff will cut you off if you don't use it enough. They sent me a warning and I made several calls to keep the SIM "live" and they still cut me off and I lost my number that I had had for 20 years. 

alanjones60

ID mobile runs on three.
You order sim with the cheapest bundle.
When you have it, turn off auto renew,then the sim goes to true pay as you go.
3p min 2p text 1p mb.
No credit expiry,but you have 2 call someone once every 6 months to keep sim alive 
And you have to top up at least £5 every YEAR.to stop disconection.

B1ng0

savergrant said:

https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/check-out-payasyougo-campaign?icmp=freesim-options_Pay-Later

https://www.tescomobile.com/order-sim

Just be careful to ensure you are opted out of any bundles BEFORE  you make your first topup

As far as I can see, with Vodafone you still have to choose a monthly plan when activating the SIM, but you can't just top up and use as needed?

savergrant

B1ng0 said:

savergrant said:

https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/check-out-payasyougo-campaign?icmp=freesim-options_Pay-Later

https://www.tescomobile.com/order-sim

Just be careful to ensure you are opted out of any bundles BEFORE  you make your first topup

As far as I can see, with Vodafone you still have to choose a monthly plan when activating the SIM, but you can't just top up and use as needed?

Not sure, there may be an option to activate the sim without going on to a plan.

EE seems clearer though;
https://ee.co.uk/mobile/free-sim

B1ng0

savergrant said:

B1ng0 said:

savergrant said:

https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/check-out-payasyougo-campaign?icmp=freesim-options_Pay-Later

https://www.tescomobile.com/order-sim

Just be careful to ensure you are opted out of any bundles BEFORE  you make your first topup

As far as I can see, with Vodafone you still have to choose a monthly plan when activating the SIM, but you can't just top up and use as needed?

Not sure, there may be an option to activate the sim without going on to a plan.

EE seems clearer though;
https://ee.co.uk/mobile/free-sim

EE PAYG rates are among the highest though, and it looks like you need to buy a pack to use data, unless I missed something 

B1ng0

Ok, I just thought I'd post the conclusions of my "research" on this topic: the only non O2-based providers offering a truly free PAYG SIM that can be topped up after receiving it and then used occasionally without regular topup requirements are TalkHome, Lebara and Three; TalkHome offer the best rates.