Looking for a true Pay As You Go SIM – top up once and use until credit runs out (no monthly renewal

JadeHighland

Do these still exist? I'm looking online and most seem to last one month and that's it. It's mainly to give to my son when he's in school clubs and such. He won't really use it aside from Duolingo and calling me if he needs anything. 

UnsureAboutthis

We have Asda payg and 5 quid min - IIRC, you have to make one paid call or text within 6 months but look up asda pagy, don't auto renew etc  I ring them to top up as i find the onlie stuff confusing

UnsureAboutthis

From MSE 0 incs ASda and another at least

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

Frozen_up_north

O2 Classic PAYG SIMs still appear on eBay.

Beware of data use draining PAYG SIMs, turn off mobile data to avoid the issue.

Generally the “non contract” auto top up deals are better value than a “top up once” type of SIM. For example, you get unlimited calls and 2GB of data for £6 per month on GiffGaff (O2 network).

AndyPK

Another vote for Asda. Uses Vodafone network. 
4p/minute I think.

Turn mobile data off, as said

UnsureAboutthis

Frozen_up_north said:

O2 Classic PAYG SIMs still appear on eBay.

Beware of data use draining PAYG SIMs, turn off mobile data to avoid the issue.

Generally the “non contract” auto top up deals are better value than a “top up once” type of SIM. For example, you get unlimited calls and 2GB of data for £6 per month on GiffGaff (O2 network).

Yes, spot on re "data draining." I also found that on a few occasions, almost all my money was gone, using the data for 23 mins just looking for parking rates. So i switched my mobile data off and ensured that certain apps etcs are closed on mobile data.  It could be my mobile but i was with 3 IIRC before and it never happened

Also, almost whenever i make a phone call t Asda Mobile, almost within 24 hours I get a scam text, reading something like - "if you want these messages to stop from Asda mobile, sned 'STOP' text. I did once and the cost of the text was taken from my amount. This was not the genuine Asda mobile. So, I've labelled the real Asda Mobile as 'Asda Genuine.' I still get a text from the scammers but I now know it's not them.

savergrant

AndyPK said:

Another vote for Asda. Uses Vodafone network. 
4p/minute I think.

Turn mobile data off, as said

15p per minute since 2023.
Tescomobile 8p per minute on their 'lite' tariff. You need to opt-in

https://www.tescomobile.com/terms-and-conditions/lite

savergrant

UnsureAboutthis said:

Frozen_up_north said:

O2 Classic PAYG SIMs still appear on eBay.

Beware of data use draining PAYG SIMs, turn off mobile data to avoid the issue.

Generally the “non contract” auto top up deals are better value than a “top up once” type of SIM. For example, you get unlimited calls and 2GB of data for £6 per month on GiffGaff (O2 network).

Yes, spot on re "data draining." I also found that on a few occasions, almost all my money was gone, using the data for 23 mins just looking for parking rates. So i switched my mobile data off and ensured that certain apps etcs are closed on mobile data.  It could be my mobile but i was with 3 IIRC before and it never happened

Also, almost whenever i make a phone call t Asda Mobile, almost within 24 hours I get a scam text, reading something like - "if you want these messages to stop from Asda mobile, sned 'STOP' text. I did once and the cost of the text was taken from my amount. This was not the genuine Asda mobile. So, I've labelled the real Asda Mobile as 'Asda Genuine.' I still get a text from the scammers but I now know it's not them.

To be fair you're more likely to get scammers claiming to be vodafone, o2, 3, or ee as scammers can find out which network issued the number from the batch allocations. It is harder to find out which network the number is with now, unless there is a leak of customer data somewhere...

UnsureAboutthis

Asda, the pay-as-you-go sim I was referring to
15p per min talk
10p per text, I can't recall the number of digits


To retain the unsued element of your 5 quid - you have to make at least one call/text within 180 days.

For the up-to-date, 100% accurate info, see the links above.

mta999

If you want EE then buy a sim with a £10 bundle and then text 'stop pack' to 150 - that will stop the pack renewing and it will switch to proper pay as you go for calls and text although no data

Acer321

Frozen_up_north said:

O2 Classic PAYG SIMs still appear on eBay...

I just got a great deal on the O2 Classic via eBay.

Ordered one SIM for £0.20 (80p discount) and arrived three days later, but had two SIM's in the envelope. Other people were also sent an extra one according to the feedback comments. Both of my SIM's have an expiry date of April 2026, so no rush to activate them right now.

Calls: 3p min', Text: 2p, Data: 1p per MB.

Best of all, you're not forced to top-up each month, just make a chargeable call/text every six months and your credit will not expire.