May 30, 2013, 7:52 pm
Last edit by: Silver Fox
This is a stub Wiki for this thread - the idea is that any member can edit it to keep it up to date as a distillation of the best info from the thread.
3 - 200MB Free data SIM
3 - 15 pounds for 300 minutes, 3000 texts, and unlimited 3G data for a month (http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=112) The deal might not be dead but to buy the addon you need to switch WiFi off (!!) and open http://three.co.uk/my3 on your device as this unlinked support page says. Three customer service and store both says this doesn't work with tablets -- however customer service are idiots and doesn't know what is a tablet only knows phones and iPads (both phone and chat -- this is apparently company level). Tread carefully. Anyways, this method still worked on January 13, 2015.
Note the GBP15 all you can eat deal has now been pulled(Note 8/3/16: All in one with All you can eat data is now GBP25): http://www.threemicrosites.co.uk/AIO20B
If you don't want to buy a bundle or a plan, Three's flat rate for calls is now 3p per minute. The expiry time of one month or three months for topups has now been removed. So you pay only 3p per call minute for what you use.
Three's data is only 1p per MB, and you can buy packages (eg 500MB for 5 pounds). The packages ("add-ons") may not save money directly, but those data packages are eligible for use in "Feel at Home" countries (Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Indonesia, Macau, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Sweden, USA) at no extra charge. See http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-...se=EXT(EM11925)
EE: http://shop.ee.co.uk/price-plans/free-sim
Vodafone: https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk
O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/freesim/
giffgaff: www.giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/nfh (£5 free credit) or www.giffgaff.com/orders/free-sim (no free credit)
Three: https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order
How do I top up with an overseas card, or can I use PayPal?
Strangely, some firms insist that you must use a UK issued credit card to topup. Some do take PayPal:
Giffgaff
Vodafone
But it is not as prevalent as it should bein this day and age admittedly. There is a firm that some people have reported success with and they are:
https://www.mobiletopup.co.uk/
What frequencies are used in the UK?
There are a total of 5 different frequencies used in the UK used by the mobile networks to deliver their 2G, 3G and 4G mobile services.
800MHz (Band 20)
900MHz (Band 8)
1800MHz (Band 3)
2100MHz (Band 1)
2600MHz (Band 7)
Here's a chart for iPhones and which bands each model can use. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
If you're not sure which model you have, look on the back of your iPhone or go into Settings-->General-->About-->Legal-->Regulatory
iphone 5 users note that: iPhone 5 cannot get 4G/LTE on the 800MHz or 2600MHz frequencies but it can on the 1800 frequency.
For other users there are a number of resources to check the frequency your phone supports including:
Global Certification Forum
As an example this is the data for a Samsung J1 Ace SM-J111F
GSMARENA
What frequencies do the different operators use?
Each operator in the UK utilises different frequencies to deliver their mobile networks with the core networks being EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. Then there are also operators, called mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), who utilise the backend of the core networks to offer their own services.
The frequencies used by the major UK networks are:
EE (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 1800MHz & 2600MHz
O2 (2G) 900MHz & 1800MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Vodafone (2G) 900MHz & 1800MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 2600MHz
Three (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 1800MHZ
The frequencies used by UK’s MVNO’s are listed below:
Asda Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
BT Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz & 2100MHz
iD Mobile (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 1800MHz
Freedom Pop (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 1800MHz
GiffGaff (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Lebara Mobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
LycaMobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
TalkMobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
TalkTalk (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Tesco Mobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
The People’s Operator (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz & 2100MHz
Virgin Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz, & 2600MHz
Please add and edit!
3 - 200MB Free data SIM
3 - 15 pounds for 300 minutes, 3000 texts, and unlimited 3G data for a month (http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=112) The deal might not be dead but to buy the addon you need to switch WiFi off (!!) and open http://three.co.uk/my3 on your device as this unlinked support page says. Three customer service and store both says this doesn't work with tablets -- however customer service are idiots and doesn't know what is a tablet only knows phones and iPads (both phone and chat -- this is apparently company level). Tread carefully. Anyways, this method still worked on January 13, 2015.
Note the GBP15 all you can eat deal has now been pulled(Note 8/3/16: All in one with All you can eat data is now GBP25): http://www.threemicrosites.co.uk/AIO20B
If you don't want to buy a bundle or a plan, Three's flat rate for calls is now 3p per minute. The expiry time of one month or three months for topups has now been removed. So you pay only 3p per call minute for what you use.
Three's data is only 1p per MB, and you can buy packages (eg 500MB for 5 pounds). The packages ("add-ons") may not save money directly, but those data packages are eligible for use in "Feel at Home" countries (Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Indonesia, Macau, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Sweden, USA) at no extra charge. See http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-...se=EXT(EM11925)
EE: http://shop.ee.co.uk/price-plans/free-sim
Vodafone: https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk
O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/freesim/
giffgaff: www.giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/nfh (£5 free credit) or www.giffgaff.com/orders/free-sim (no free credit)
Three: https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order
How do I top up with an overseas card, or can I use PayPal?
Strangely, some firms insist that you must use a UK issued credit card to topup. Some do take PayPal:
Giffgaff
Vodafone
But it is not as prevalent as it should bein this day and age admittedly. There is a firm that some people have reported success with and they are:
https://www.mobiletopup.co.uk/
What frequencies are used in the UK?
There are a total of 5 different frequencies used in the UK used by the mobile networks to deliver their 2G, 3G and 4G mobile services.
800MHz (Band 20)
900MHz (Band 8)
1800MHz (Band 3)
2100MHz (Band 1)
2600MHz (Band 7)
Here's a chart for iPhones and which bands each model can use. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
If you're not sure which model you have, look on the back of your iPhone or go into Settings-->General-->About-->Legal-->Regulatory
iphone 5 users note that: iPhone 5 cannot get 4G/LTE on the 800MHz or 2600MHz frequencies but it can on the 1800 frequency.
For other users there are a number of resources to check the frequency your phone supports including:
Global Certification Forum
As an example this is the data for a Samsung J1 Ace SM-J111F
GSMARENA
What frequencies do the different operators use?
Each operator in the UK utilises different frequencies to deliver their mobile networks with the core networks being EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. Then there are also operators, called mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), who utilise the backend of the core networks to offer their own services.
The frequencies used by the major UK networks are:
EE (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 1800MHz & 2600MHz
O2 (2G) 900MHz & 1800MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Vodafone (2G) 900MHz & 1800MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 2600MHz
Three (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 1800MHZ
The frequencies used by UK’s MVNO’s are listed below:
Asda Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
BT Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz & 2100MHz
iD Mobile (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 1800MHz
Freedom Pop (2G) N/A (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz & 1800MHz
GiffGaff (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Lebara Mobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
LycaMobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
TalkMobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) N/A
TalkTalk (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
Tesco Mobile (2G) 900MHz (3G) 900MHz & 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz
The People’s Operator (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz & 2100MHz
Virgin Mobile (2G) 1800MHz (3G) 2100MHz (4G LTE) 800MHz, 1800MHz, & 2600MHz
Please add and edit!
Prepaid SIM - UK/Great Britain/England/Scotland/Wales
Jun 14, 2015, 8:57 am
#242
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London (LCY)
Programs: BA bronze, Hilton gold, Marriott gold, IHG plat, Meliá gold, Radisson gold, Hyatt disc, AmexPlat
Posts: 977
In view of the discussion above about giffgaff, you can order a free giffgaff SIM card with £5 free credit to be sent to a UK address (e.g. a hotel) using this link. If you need a SIM card to be sent to a non-UK address, then you will need to create a giffgaff user account and ask someone in the giffgaff help forum to send you one.
Last edited by NFH; Jun 15, 2015 at 12:54 am Reason: Reinstating referral link which complies with http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php
Jun 20, 2015, 4:55 pm
#243
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Post Office has released a new sim. On EE network. 3G only, but GBP5 inclusive of 500MB data and 250 minutes is pretty good. 30 days validity Other packages are available. Can order free sim card directly on the Post Office website.
http://mobile.postoffice.co.uk/call-rates/bundles/
http://mobile.postoffice.co.uk/call-rates/bundles/
Aug 4, 2015, 3:04 am
#244
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Post Office has released a new sim. On EE network. 3G only, but GBP5 inclusive of 500MB data and 250 minutes is pretty good. 30 days validity Other packages are available. Can order free sim card directly on the Post Office website.
http://mobile.postoffice.co.uk/call-rates/bundles/
http://mobile.postoffice.co.uk/call-rates/bundles/
No problem ordering, arrived to my UK address within about 2 days of requesting. You get the sim and a top up card. You are told you can either top up online or at a post office.
Online top up via credit card is a minimum of 10GBP (not any use to me as I only wanted it for a month at 5GBP). Tried topping up at a few post offices (tried four in total) and none of them had heard of the sim card!! So total fail there.
Ended up just using a giff gaff sim.
Aug 4, 2015, 7:08 am
#245
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 545
3:
- buy a SIM for 99p in a corner shop, phone shop etc
- at same place or a tesco Express etc buy a top up voucher with a value of at least 15 pounds
- insert SIM in device
- reboot
- call 444 from the phone to top up using the voucher number you bought
- enter the 16 digit voucher number when prompted
- when you get a confirmation that you have the credit on the account, wait on the line, dont hang up
- you get asked if you want to buy an add-on
- type 1, and then 1 again
- select the All-in-one 15 pound add on ( http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=1129
- you now have unlimited 4G data for the month, plus 300 minutes and 3000 texts ( http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/P...=1220464365215)
- if you add on more money into your account before leaving the UK, you can also use the card while roaming in several other European countries for a flat rate per day
- buy a SIM for 99p in a corner shop, phone shop etc
- at same place or a tesco Express etc buy a top up voucher with a value of at least 15 pounds
- insert SIM in device
- reboot
- call 444 from the phone to top up using the voucher number you bought
- enter the 16 digit voucher number when prompted
- when you get a confirmation that you have the credit on the account, wait on the line, dont hang up
- you get asked if you want to buy an add-on
- type 1, and then 1 again
- select the All-in-one 15 pound add on ( http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=1129
- you now have unlimited 4G data for the month, plus 300 minutes and 3000 texts ( http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/P...=1220464365215)
- if you add on more money into your account before leaving the UK, you can also use the card while roaming in several other European countries for a flat rate per day
Aug 10, 2015, 8:59 pm
#247
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Aug 11, 2015, 7:48 am
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
Aug 11, 2015, 10:45 am
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Landry's President's Club, Marriott Silver, Awesomeness EXPLT
Posts: 20,412
Aug 16, 2015, 6:34 am
#251
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
I think a lot depends on whether you want to go penny-pinching for the cheapest deal out there, or whether you'd prefer to go with the best carrier out there and concentrate on finding the best deal they have.
In my case I don't really care about a few bucks here or there - I simply want to enjoy the best speeds and coverage on offer. In the UK this is extremely simple: go with EE.
The competition is lagging behind and even price-wise you'll often get a better deal with EE than with other carriers, something that came as a nice surprise during my last trip to the UK. Either way, I wouldn't bother with anyone else as EE stands a class above the rest.
In my case I don't really care about a few bucks here or there - I simply want to enjoy the best speeds and coverage on offer. In the UK this is extremely simple: go with EE.
The competition is lagging behind and even price-wise you'll often get a better deal with EE than with other carriers, something that came as a nice surprise during my last trip to the UK. Either way, I wouldn't bother with anyone else as EE stands a class above the rest.
Aug 20, 2015, 7:45 pm
#252
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Aug 20, 2015, 8:19 pm
#253
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
Aug 22, 2015, 2:28 am
#254
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
I think a lot depends on whether you want to go penny-pinching for the cheapest deal out there, or whether you'd prefer to go with the best carrier out there and concentrate on finding the best deal they have.
In my case I don't really care about a few bucks here or there - I simply want to enjoy the best speeds and coverage on offer. In the UK this is extremely simple: go with EE.
The competition is lagging behind and even price-wise you'll often get a better deal with EE than with other carriers, something that came as a nice surprise during my last trip to the UK. Either way, I wouldn't bother with anyone else as EE stands a class above the rest.
In my case I don't really care about a few bucks here or there - I simply want to enjoy the best speeds and coverage on offer. In the UK this is extremely simple: go with EE.
The competition is lagging behind and even price-wise you'll often get a better deal with EE than with other carriers, something that came as a nice surprise during my last trip to the UK. Either way, I wouldn't bother with anyone else as EE stands a class above the rest.
Also a good sell if you plan on traveling to a Feel at Home destination after. For example, I went to HKG two weeks after I left London. Since I was arriving in the middle of the night it was nice to be able to turn on my phone and have data service just like that without worrying about finding somewhere to buy a SIM. Speeds were atrocious (I was getting like 300k down and 100k up) but that was quickly rectified the next morning by getting a native SIM.
Aug 24, 2015, 5:12 pm
#255
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
During my last trip EE had the best price and I got so much data that most of it was never used. It might have been that £10 for 10GB promo and I was only there for 3 nights.
Not sure what the regular price is, but you can also get their data SIMs (maybe they can be used in a mobile to accept calls as well?) where for £30 you get 25 gigs. Not bad if you are a data-heavy user. And the network is truly the best in the country since EE is a merger of Orange (has always been the best network IMO) and T-Mobile infrastructure.