Talk to me about.... PAYG SIMs

[tek-monkey]

So I got that cheap phone I posted last week, and gotta say its amazing for the money. Now I need to find the cheapest option I can to keep it running that won't unexpectedly cost me money as I'm likely giving it as a present. My main concerns are calling in not calling out, I'm more interested in us being able to contact the phone holder so as long as it can receive texts and calls I'm happy. Obviously I want to allow them some calls/texts but my main need is using androidlost via text to be able to find them in emergencies.

Expiry - does PAYG credit still expire? I know SIMs become inactive if no calls are made, is there usually a long period or is it 30 days? Who has the longest expiry? Ordered a giff gaff and an asda one for free, will read up on them later! Incidentally you get £4.50 quidco for activating a giffgaff sim so its worth a try.

Free services, any good? I know they usually die a death rather quickly, but looking at freedompop you get 200 mins/txt/mb a month for free. Its 3G only though, no 2G, so little use for many. I have a dual SIM phone so going to try this with another one for 2G.

I've been on contract so long with unlimited mins/texts I've not had to think about this sort of thing.

 

[Gramaisc]

Expiry - does PAYG credit still expire? I know SIMs become inactive if no calls are made, is there usually a long period or is it 30 days? Who has the longest expiry?

I use an ancient Orange PAYG sim - I only ever put a tenner on once, maybe twice, a year, and there seems to be no expiry, as far as I can see.

 

[proactive]

Some useful comparative info here if you scroll down a bit.

http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/payg-inactivity-account-termination-and-credit-expiry

 

[Perrier]

Use giffgaff myself , always a good signal , data and call plans available too if required.
My daughter just uses the payg option with no problems .
....even my drone uses giffgaff and texts me if he gets lost

 

[littleme]

I use an ancient Orange PAYG sim - I only ever put a tenner on once, maybe twice, a year, and there seems to be no expiry, as far as I can see.

Strange, my oldies also have ancient Orange PAYG phones, & orange kindly de-activate them if they don't use them for 30 days....

 

[cj1]

delight mobile uses ee network 3p min 2p text 1p mb 3gb free data with £10 top up plus various bundles to reduce cost further if required
www.delightmobile.co.uk

 

[wmrcomputers]

GiffGaff all the way mate. If you need a sim I've got some that give you an extra £5 when you first activate with £10 top up.
Or if you would rather receive one in the post order it here and you'll get the same £5 extra credit.

 

[littleme]

Aaahhh - another thing - I'm in Orange/EE & very rarely get a signal at home in the Norf E'nd...

 

[cj1]

i get signal all over stafford but admittedly only 2g indoors north end which doesn't bother me as i can use wifi. 2g data is good enough for background services if necessary.

 

[Gramaisc]

Strange, my oldies also have ancient Orange PAYG phones, & orange kindly de-activate them if they don't use them for 30 days....

Maybe I've just been lucky - or maybe it does get used once a month - people hassle me on it all the time - once in a blue Moon I do respond.
Its main use is as a doorbell for a friend that lives in a second-floor flat - two rings means I'm downstairs now.

I also have an Irish PAYG, from the days when roaming was even more stupidly expensive - that only gets used every three months and they don't hassle me at all - they do text my mother on hers once a year to see if she's still alive.

 

[littleme]

i get signal all over stafford but admittedly only 2g indoors north end which doesn't bother me as i can use wifi. 2g data is good enough for background services if necessary.

I'm sat at home & only have 1bar - usually there's just a nice red cross! I do the same though when at home, WiFi only - thank goodness for Whatsapp ...

 

[Glam]

I'm sat at home & only have 1bar - usually there's just a nice red cross! I do the same though when at home, WiFi only - thank goodness for Whatsapp ...

I'm sick n tired of being asked if I have whattsapp or kik.
On the subject of connectivity. Myself and the youngest are both on O2, neither of us have any problems with signal aywhere in Stafford, the only place I have trouble is out at Wetwood when I'm at my sisters.

 

[Floss]

I'm sick n tired of being asked if I have whattsapp or kik.
On the subject of connectivity. Myself and the youngest are both on O2, neither of us have any problems with signal aywhere in Stafford, the only place I have trouble is out at Wetwood when I'm at my sisters.

Whattsapp doc?