PAYG who is cheap?
Discussion
OK, I want a network provider that is cheap, and I mean dirt cheap...
Simple enough, I have a PAYG with 3, they are putting the price up - this is a cardinal sin so they are now dead to me (unless they are cheapest). I put up with the poor bits of 3's proposition while they were cheap, now they have quadrupled I am less inclined to put up with the crap.
Basically depending on where I am in work (big site) I can't get network coverage until I leave the works, which might be 8 or 10 hours later (so get a sudden barrage of texts about 600 yards before reaching who approximates the civilisation round here),
1p mobile, bit it looks like you have to top-up frequently if you need to or not.
Seem to recall O2, being approximately the same as 3, but they never seem to put it in the T's and C's that you didn't have to regularly top-up...
so any other ideas?
Simple enough, I have a PAYG with 3, they are putting the price up - this is a cardinal sin so they are now dead to me (unless they are cheapest). I put up with the poor bits of 3's proposition while they were cheap, now they have quadrupled I am less inclined to put up with the crap.
Basically depending on where I am in work (big site) I can't get network coverage until I leave the works, which might be 8 or 10 hours later (so get a sudden barrage of texts about 600 yards before reaching who approximates the civilisation round here),
1p mobile, bit it looks like you have to top-up frequently if you need to or not.
Seem to recall O2, being approximately the same as 3, but they never seem to put it in the T's and C's that you didn't have to regularly top-up...
so any other ideas?
GrizzlyBear said:
OK, I want a network provider that is cheap, and I mean dirt cheap...
Simple enough, I have a PAYG with 3, they are putting the price up - this is a cardinal sin so they are now dead to me (unless they are cheapest). I put up with the poor bits of 3's proposition while they were cheap, now they have quadrupled I am less inclined to put up with the crap.
Basically depending on where I am in work (big site) I can't get network coverage until I leave the works, which might be 8 or 10 hours later (so get a sudden barrage of texts about 600 yards before reaching who approximates the civilisation round here),
1p mobile, bit it looks like you have to top-up frequently if you need to or not.
Seem to recall O2, being approximately the same as 3, but they never seem to put it in the T's and C's that you didn't have to regularly top-up...
so any other ideas?
What is your usage needs?Simple enough, I have a PAYG with 3, they are putting the price up - this is a cardinal sin so they are now dead to me (unless they are cheapest). I put up with the poor bits of 3's proposition while they were cheap, now they have quadrupled I am less inclined to put up with the crap.
Basically depending on where I am in work (big site) I can't get network coverage until I leave the works, which might be 8 or 10 hours later (so get a sudden barrage of texts about 600 yards before reaching who approximates the civilisation round here),
1p mobile, bit it looks like you have to top-up frequently if you need to or not.
Seem to recall O2, being approximately the same as 3, but they never seem to put it in the T's and C's that you didn't have to regularly top-up...
so any other ideas?
There are some cheap sim only contracts around £5 a month if you shop about
GrizzlyBear said:
OK, I want a network provider that is cheap, and I mean dirt cheap...
OK Mr Bear, you want cheap call charges... I am guessing you don't use bundles and you are taking a glove box phone.Like many here I will probably use the credit (which given it is my emergency phone, might take months) then dump 3; ditch and switch.
I will probably go over to Asda, as they run on the EE network (mine drops off the network a lot too) and are cheaper than 3, so will probably work better for the glovebox phone. I would prefer to go over to 1p mobile, but as they force you to top up £10 every 4 months, I would just be accumulating credit on the phone.
Anyone know what Asda is like? do they actually allow you to see your usage unlike 3?
My 3 PAYG has an annoying habit of sending texts twice (well, they arrive twice), I don't think I am charged twice, but with no monthly billing it is hardly confidence inspiring. So 3 will need to up their game. Then again, since quite a few are leaving...
One thing to watch out for on low-usage PAYG is how often you have to use or top up to keep the credit active.
Vodafone aren't too bad on that front, a single text every six months,
"
To keep your Pay as you go number active, you need to use it for at least one chargeable activity - like sending a text or topping up - every 180 days.
If you don't top up or use any credit for 90 days, we'll send you a text explaining that your account will expire in another 90 days.
To avoid this, simply use your phone for a chargeable activity after you receive the reminder text. This will let you carry on as normal with your current number.
However, if you don't use your phone within that 90-day period, your mobile number will be disconnected and will no longer work.
"
Vodafone aren't too bad on that front, a single text every six months,
"
To keep your Pay as you go number active, you need to use it for at least one chargeable activity - like sending a text or topping up - every 180 days.
If you don't top up or use any credit for 90 days, we'll send you a text explaining that your account will expire in another 90 days.
To avoid this, simply use your phone for a chargeable activity after you receive the reminder text. This will let you carry on as normal with your current number.
However, if you don't use your phone within that 90-day period, your mobile number will be disconnected and will no longer work.
"
I was in the same dilemma and switched over to 1p mobile. The £10 every four months didn't bother me as I'll probably use about that anyway but the three price rise was too much for me to stomach as well.
Otherwise China mobile £1 a month trial pack looks like a bargain but customer service a potential nightmare for obvious reasons!
Otherwise China mobile £1 a month trial pack looks like a bargain but customer service a potential nightmare for obvious reasons!
Terminator X said:
GIF Gaf here, £8 a month 
Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
I like Giff Gaff too. I used to be with Vodafone since about 1998 BUT swapped over a few years back. Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
Have two running. One is a £6 one that just sits in the car so I know I've always got a working phone. The other I use all the time is a £10 golden bag 9Gb, unlimited texts & phone.
Very happy with them as it just works. OK it's on auto renew every month but cancel and start again when I wish.
Morningside said:
Terminator X said:
GIF Gaf here, £8 a month
Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
I like Giff Gaff too. I used to be with Vodafone since about 1998 BUT swapped over a few years back. Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
Have two running. One is a £6 one that just sits in the car so I know I've always got a working phone. The other I use all the time is a £10 golden bag 9Gb, unlimited texts & phone.
Very happy with them as it just works. OK it's on auto renew every month but cancel and start again when I wish.
I am thinking of switching networks soon, been with 3 and O2 during the last few years but not sure if the actual call quality is any better than any other provider.
VR99 said:
Morningside said:
Terminator X said:
GIF Gaf here, £8 a month
Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
I like Giff Gaff too. I used to be with Vodafone since about 1998 BUT swapped over a few years back. Does that count as PAYG though? Can stop it at anytime.
TX.
Have two running. One is a £6 one that just sits in the car so I know I've always got a working phone. The other I use all the time is a £10 golden bag 9Gb, unlimited texts & phone.
Very happy with them as it just works. OK it's on auto renew every month but cancel and start again when I wish.
I am thinking of switching networks soon, been with 3 and O2 during the last few years but not sure if the actual call quality is any better than any other provider.
I have the same Three issue, hardly use any calls, and I bought a couple of "O2 Classic PAYG" sims from eBay for 20p (yes, 20p) which are currently on the same 3/2/1 rate as the old account. This is probably only putting off the inevitable, but that'll do for now for me. A mate tells me he has a contract with O2, £5 a month and unlimited calls, but I couldn't find that on their web site. I often only top up £10 a year as the phone is hardly used, so even £5 a month is a bit of a jump.
ETA this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-O2-Sim-Card-New-and-S...
I haven't activated it yet as I haven't found a phone in the cupboard that isn't tied to a different network. But they both say "activate before December 2021" on them.
ETA this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-O2-Sim-Card-New-and-S...
I haven't activated it yet as I haven't found a phone in the cupboard that isn't tied to a different network. But they both say "activate before December 2021" on them.
Edited by droopsnoot on Monday 25th January 10:40
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