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
Jan 13, 2015, 8:33 am
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
Apr 4, 2015, 3:25 pm
#213
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
We're going to be in Cornwall for about 10 days and likely won't need more than 1 gb. What's the current favorite prepaid data?
Last time we were in the UK, my wife used giffgaff and I used tmobile (now ee). We each use a Nexus 5.
Last time we were in the UK, my wife used giffgaff and I used tmobile (now ee). We each use a Nexus 5.
Apr 27, 2015, 10:05 am
#214
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 494
richarddd? any results on your trip... I know it was less than a month ago...
Also I am planning on flying into heathrow, small layover and then up to EDI, and bringing my verizon iphone 6+ so i think i can just get a sim in LHR and then use it everywhere..
It appears that 3 in scotland is ok, not great, but ok.
anyways can I get a sim quickly in LHR inside security, or at EDI quickly??... My wife is always irritable after a long flight and we need her to quickly take a nap or I regret it significantly. <
Also I am planning on flying into heathrow, small layover and then up to EDI, and bringing my verizon iphone 6+ so i think i can just get a sim in LHR and then use it everywhere..
It appears that 3 in scotland is ok, not great, but ok.
anyways can I get a sim quickly in LHR inside security, or at EDI quickly??... My wife is always irritable after a long flight and we need her to quickly take a nap or I regret it significantly. <
Apr 27, 2015, 2:50 pm
#215
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
richarddd? any results on your trip... I know it was less than a month ago...
Also I am planning on flying into heathrow, small layover and then up to EDI, and bringing my verizon iphone 6+ so i think i can just get a sim in LHR and then use it everywhere..
It appears that 3 in scotland is ok, not great, but ok.
anyways can I get a sim quickly in LHR inside security, or at EDI quickly??... My wife is always irritable after a long flight and we need her to quickly take a nap or I regret it significantly. <
Also I am planning on flying into heathrow, small layover and then up to EDI, and bringing my verizon iphone 6+ so i think i can just get a sim in LHR and then use it everywhere..
It appears that 3 in scotland is ok, not great, but ok.
anyways can I get a sim quickly in LHR inside security, or at EDI quickly??... My wife is always irritable after a long flight and we need her to quickly take a nap or I regret it significantly. <
Apr 27, 2015, 7:52 pm
#216
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
Both worked well, other than in very rural Cornwall.
Apr 27, 2015, 8:38 pm
#217
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
Apr 27, 2015, 9:38 pm
#218
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Apr 28, 2015, 12:44 pm
#219
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
I am with giffgaff and think I might have a SIM I can mail if you wanted to give that a go. Just PM me if you do, I'll need to know the size.
May 27, 2015, 10:25 am
#220
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 229
Three in UK
We'll be in Amsterdam (2 days), UK, Scotland, and Ireland for 3 weeks this July. We want to stay connected via Internet using iPhone and iPad.
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
I could switch to T-Mobile Simple Choice but I don't like to switch again after the trip. Plus they will do a credit hard pull.
TIA!!
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
I could switch to T-Mobile Simple Choice but I don't like to switch again after the trip. Plus they will do a credit hard pull.
TIA!!
May 27, 2015, 1:33 pm
#221
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SNA, LAX, PHL, NYC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 663
We'll be in Amsterdam (2 days), UK, Scotland, and Ireland for 3 weeks this July. We want to stay connected via Internet using iPhone and iPad.
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
I could switch to T-Mobile Simple Choice but I don't like to switch again after the trip. Plus they will do a credit hard pull.
TIA!!
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
I could switch to T-Mobile Simple Choice but I don't like to switch again after the trip. Plus they will do a credit hard pull.
TIA!!
May 28, 2015, 2:41 am
#222
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Three does require it be sent to a UK address, but it is free. You can have it sent to a friend/relative and have them post it to you. You can then get a £15 top-up from WH Smith as soon as you clear customs. Saves £5 over using the vending machine. Plus, I don't think that's a "normal" 3 SIM - that is, I THINK (I may be wrong, I've never used one, I'm just going off what it sounds like on the vending machine) that is pre-activated for 30 days of the (normally £15) plan and then gets killed after that.
May 28, 2015, 10:39 am
#223
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
Three does require it be sent to a UK address, but it is free. You can have it sent to a friend/relative and have them post it to you. You can then get a £15 top-up from WH Smith as soon as you clear customs. Saves £5 over using the vending machine. Plus, I don't think that's a "normal" 3 SIM - that is, I THINK (I may be wrong, I've never used one, I'm just going off what it sounds like on the vending machine) that is pre-activated for 30 days of the (normally £15) plan and then gets killed after that.
May 29, 2015, 6:20 am
#224
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
We'll be in Amsterdam (2 days), UK, Scotland, and Ireland for 3 weeks this July. We want to stay connected via Internet using iPhone and iPad.
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
Looks like Three's GBP 15 for unlimited data might be the cheapest way for UK. Correct? If so, could someone help answer a few questions?
- Can I buy a SIM with Add-On and set it up prior to our trip? Do they mail the card to USA?
- Or, is it easier/better to get a SIM once we are in London?
- Is ID required when purchasing or signing up?
- Honestly, we'll to turn on Personal Hotspot on iPhone (i.e. tethering) sometimes since it is easier to read on iPad. Any data point for how Three is handling this (e.g. suspend account, give you slower speed, etc.)?
No ID required. Three explicitly states that you cannot use the pre pays to tether (hotspot). I believe it states that they will suspend the account.
We had no problem finding free WiFi for our iPads but if you prefer, you can get a SIM for your Tablet - just be sure it's listed that it's for the tablet.
Also, the service was great. Three is in process of upgrading to 4G. I had 4G many places in central London. We were on 3G most of the time outside London (I think I also had 4G in Oxford but not sure) and I don't think we were ever out of coverage.