PAYG SIM minutes don't run out - no monthly top up

[David]

I'm looking for a backup SIM which will keep a phone going but not require a monthly top up.

Ideally Vodaphone (to diversify networks) but retaining credit long term is more important.

Cheers

Dave R

[David]

Sorry - should have been mobile.

[Reentrant]

Giffgaff. You just have to make one chargeable call or text every 6 months to keep it "alive" and I think they warn you in good time before they close the account. Topup credits last indefinitely (ie top up, don't buy a monthly "goodybag"). It's ideal for low usage.

Runs on the O2 network.

[Robert]

Also Three's 321 tariff, topups do not run out. They also do a free

200MB per month data card. I think everyone requires occasional usage to keep the SIM active.

[alan_m]

GiffGaff on the O2 network

Their PAYG credit does not run out but it's not the cheapest PAYG

They also do "bags" (data bags and goody bags) which do run out after 30 days irrespective of usage but you don't have to purchase them.

You just need to put the basic PAYG credit on the SIM and make one call every 6?? months to keep the SIM active.

I have a GiffGaff SIM in my burglar alarm which sends me "I'm still working" text every 3 weeks (or "I've just been triggered text" for a real alarm). I haven't topped that PAYG credit for over a year.

The throw away backup phone that I keep in the car also has a GG SIM where the credit hasn't been topped up for over a year.

For my main phone I keep around £20 PAYG credit as a backup and when expecting to make a lot, or long calls in a month I buy the occasional goody bag for £6 which gives unlimited minutes and texts and a set amount of data.

A PAYG top-up of £10 gives free calls to another GG user for 3 months.

If you go to their site just order the free SIM and DON'T sign up for a plan. Once registered on the site you can add credit to the SIM without buying a "bag". Finding where the PAYG info can be difficult on their site because they are pushing SIM only monthly contracts (goody/data bags from £6 to £25 month)

You can also use credit, instead of a goodybag, on a pay as you go basis. Unused credit will stay in your account until you?ve used it up. [/quote]

[GB]

I went from GiffGaff to O2 PAYG. O2 is a third of the price.

I use mine occasionally, but a £10 top-up lasts months.

[Mark]

Asda is a cheap 321 payg sim like all the rest use once every 6 months to keep it alive ASDA Mobile currently uses the EE network to run it's service, but from early 2021, it'll use the Vodafone network.

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[spuorgelgoog]

Tesco (on o2) does that for me. I feed it £10 about once a year.

That is my normal use rather than as a back-up.

Like all the others I suspect it needs to be used every so often to keep it live.

Owain

[Tweed]

A standard Vodafone PAYG sim will keep its credit as long as you make a chargeable call, or top it up, every 180 days.

Under all the blather about bundles, if you scroll down you will find the details here

[Chris]

Doesn't exist anymore.

[jrwalliker]

But this one does. "Three Mobile Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband 24 GB data SIM" It costs about £44 from Amazon (sometimes less) or £60 from "3".

24Gbyte which can be used any time over a 2 year period. I use these for emergency backup at a number of sites.

John

[Flop]

From ASDA on EE:

"You must make a chargeable call or text every 180 days to keep your number fully active. If you haven't used your SIM in the last 180 days, your calls will be forwarded to our automated service which means you won't be able to call anyone, however you will still be able to receive inbound calls. To reactivate your SIM, you will need to call us on 0800

079 2732 from any phone (free of charge).

If you haven't used your Asda Mobile SIM in the last 270 days, all activity will be barred from your SIM card and all credit will be removed. You can reactivate the SIM by purchasing an Asda top-up voucher and then calling us 0800 079 2732 from any phone (free of charge).

After 360 days, your number will be disconnected from the network and the number will be deleted. We're unable to reactivate a SIM if the number has not been used for over 360 days. If this has happened, order a SIM for free click here or you can pick one up in store for 50p."

[DJC]

Tesco,

[Dave Liquorice]

Oh what! An ASDA Mobile sim is the backup 'net connection here mainly 'cause they allow tethering and are on EE who are the only network with decent 4G here. And of course the make a chargeable call/text once every six months to keep it alive.

[Bob Eager]

I agree. I have some SIMs that I use in the GSM shed alarms. They only make calls when someone forgets to turn the alarm off!

[Pamela]

Try Ken's Tech Tips.

Shortlist of low-use PAYG:

Charges:

[Robert]

Thanks - didnt realise they had stopped the 321 SIM The free 200MB data is still available

[Jim GM4 DHJ ...]

I have five of them from about a year ago...am I still getting the 200mb ?....

[Jim GM4 DHJ ...]

strange...I just ordered another one,,,

[The Natural Philosopher]

Three works great for me. I put in 20 quid every 9 months or so