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 29, 2016, 4:05 pm
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,114
*and to do so I think (but again do check) you would need to buy an add on every month and use the purchased minutes/texts/data.
Feb 4, 2016, 12:40 pm
#287
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
I purchased 3 sim cards from eBay and I am confused about what I need to add the £20 unlimited plan. When I login to my account I get this message when I try to look at my balance or click on the add-on section
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
Feb 4, 2016, 3:42 pm
#288
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 purchased 3 sim cards from eBay and I am confused about what I need to add the £20 unlimited plan. When I login to my account I get this message when I try to look at my balance or click on the add-on section
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
Feb 4, 2016, 4:03 pm
#289
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
I put the sim card into my S6 and after switching the phone to gsm it found service (with an R over the bars) and I got two text about roaming charges suck, and a text about the roaming cost.
Feb 5, 2016, 12:52 am
#290
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
Feb 5, 2016, 7:10 am
#291
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,921
OK, so that's good, perhaps this is the issue then, topping up abroad. This gives more details on how to topup and I wonder if it is objecting as you are roaming, perhaps it wants you to register a debit/credit card first. These are the ways to contact them and I do not know if they have a "chat" function that is just not open yet. You seem to be able to tweet them if that is your thing. The phone numbers they give that begin +44 7...... or 07 are mobile phone numbers so if you do call then bear in mind it may be more expensive to ring a mobile. If you are ringing from a landline in the US I would try +44 333 300 3333 first.
Feb 5, 2016, 7:36 am
#292
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 not with three, but for giffgaff (whom I am with) I have a Danish friend who uses a Danish credit card number but uses my UK address and that goes through ok (well it did when I last asked him last year). Anyway, it doesn't help the poster I guess.
Feb 5, 2016, 8:15 am
#293
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,921
Using my relative's UK address works in some cases but not with Three - even if I try to use my UK debit card.
Feb 5, 2016, 11:16 am
#294
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
I purchased 3 sim cards from eBay and I am confused about what I need to add the £20 unlimited plan. When I login to my account I get this message when I try to look at my balance or click on the add-on section
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
There is a problem:
Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
I am still in the states right now and we are traveling on Sunday and arriving in France first before traveling to the UK.
Do I need to insert the sim card here in the states and turn off wifi to add a topup voucher then convert it to the addon?
I used mobiletopup.co.uk and purchased a £20 voucher. I then used that voucher on the three website and as soon as I did it gave me the option to convert it directly to the £20 addon.
Feb 5, 2016, 12:35 pm
#295
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 113
You may want to try topping up using a electronic top-up purchased from Kwikpay (kwikpay.co.uk) as they will accept PayPal and USA credit cards.
I prefer using PayPal as my credit card company always seems to make me call and verify the charges whenever I'm billed by Kwikpay, which is a hassle. (I suspect Visa is very vigilant when it comes to small charges billed from overseas when I'm at home and have not notified them of overseas travel).
The only slight complication is that you MAY need to install the Kwikpay App on your smartphone or tablet. It is supposed to work through their web site directly but logging in there often doesn't work for me. Their iPad/iPhone apps has been trouble-free.
P.S. Just processed a 5-pound top-up for my Tmobile-UK SIM card. It worked correctly, using the Kwikpay app.
I prefer using PayPal as my credit card company always seems to make me call and verify the charges whenever I'm billed by Kwikpay, which is a hassle. (I suspect Visa is very vigilant when it comes to small charges billed from overseas when I'm at home and have not notified them of overseas travel).
The only slight complication is that you MAY need to install the Kwikpay App on your smartphone or tablet. It is supposed to work through their web site directly but logging in there often doesn't work for me. Their iPad/iPhone apps has been trouble-free.
P.S. Just processed a 5-pound top-up for my Tmobile-UK SIM card. It worked correctly, using the Kwikpay app.
Last edited by BrentHutto; Feb 5, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Feb 6, 2016, 12:17 pm
#296
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,637
I see that the wiki has not been updated in a while (Since Aug 2015) so I apologize if my questions were answered elsewhere; I'd just like to make sure I receive up to date info.
I'm from the US an I'll be traveling to the UK in July. I'll be in the UK for about a week. The type of thing I'd like would be a generous amount of 4G data, a minimal amount of minutes (I'll need probably about 30 mins just to call friends to see where they are) and texting is optional since I will most likely be using iMessage. Poking around a bit on my own, it seems like EE might be the way to go. Which provider does FTers prefer?
After UK, I'll be going to Hamburg, Germany for a day, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands for two days, then to Frankfurt, Germany for a day, before returning home. Is it a good idea to use a UK SIM to roam in these countries, or should I get SIMs in Germany and the Netherlands when I arrive there?
I'm from the US an I'll be traveling to the UK in July. I'll be in the UK for about a week. The type of thing I'd like would be a generous amount of 4G data, a minimal amount of minutes (I'll need probably about 30 mins just to call friends to see where they are) and texting is optional since I will most likely be using iMessage. Poking around a bit on my own, it seems like EE might be the way to go. Which provider does FTers prefer?
After UK, I'll be going to Hamburg, Germany for a day, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands for two days, then to Frankfurt, Germany for a day, before returning home. Is it a good idea to use a UK SIM to roam in these countries, or should I get SIMs in Germany and the Netherlands when I arrive there?
Feb 7, 2016, 5:42 am
#297
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
I see that the wiki has not been updated in a while (Since Aug 2015) so I apologize if my questions were answered elsewhere; I'd just like to make sure I receive up to date info.
I'm from the US an I'll be traveling to the UK in July. I'll be in the UK for about a week. The type of thing I'd like would be a generous amount of 4G data, a minimal amount of minutes (I'll need probably about 30 mins just to call friends to see where they are) and texting is optional since I will most likely be using iMessage. Poking around a bit on my own, it seems like EE might be the way to go. Which provider does FTers prefer?
After UK, I'll be going to Hamburg, Germany for a day, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands for two days, then to Frankfurt, Germany for a day, before returning home. Is it a good idea to use a UK SIM to roam in these countries, or should I get SIMs in Germany and the Netherlands when I arrive there?
I'm from the US an I'll be traveling to the UK in July. I'll be in the UK for about a week. The type of thing I'd like would be a generous amount of 4G data, a minimal amount of minutes (I'll need probably about 30 mins just to call friends to see where they are) and texting is optional since I will most likely be using iMessage. Poking around a bit on my own, it seems like EE might be the way to go. Which provider does FTers prefer?
After UK, I'll be going to Hamburg, Germany for a day, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands for two days, then to Frankfurt, Germany for a day, before returning home. Is it a good idea to use a UK SIM to roam in these countries, or should I get SIMs in Germany and the Netherlands when I arrive there?
This site has information. I've found that they don't always keep it up-to-date but you'll find which operators there are.
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/germany.html
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/netherlands.php
Looks like Vodafone roaming is relatively cheap and only 16p/minute to roam in Germany.
16p/minute to roam in the Netherlands as well on Voda.
Less for texts of course.
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/co...road/index.htm
HTH
(Did you know that Vodafone is "VOice/DAta?)
Feb 7, 2016, 8:08 am
#298
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
Toggle mobile might be a good choice as you can setup local numbers for those other countries you are visting and enjoy local rates:
Toggle mobile
I use them instead of getting a local US SIM. Does what I want from it, but I am not a heavy user of data.
Toggle mobile
I use them instead of getting a local US SIM. Does what I want from it, but I am not a heavy user of data.
Feb 7, 2016, 4:23 pm
#299
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
Toggle mobile might be a good choice as you can setup local numbers for those other countries you are visting and enjoy local rates:
Toggle mobile
I use them instead of getting a local US SIM. Does what I want from it, but I am not a heavy user of data.
Toggle mobile
I use them instead of getting a local US SIM. Does what I want from it, but I am not a heavy user of data.
Toggle's instructions say the card will automatically respond when you enter a different country. I burned through £16 of credit in one call when this did not work for me on returning to the US. After much frustration I discovered that requesting a "deadlock letter" was the incantation that shook loose a refund.
I was concerned about the very high cost of data outside the UK (£0.15/MB in France), but I found that disabling sync and using data cautiously kept the cost quite reasonable.
Feb 8, 2016, 4:45 am
#300
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 have a couple of Toggle SIMs too. Toggle offers a terrific system but their customer service is beyond awful. Still, if you go in with your eyes open, it can be a good deal.
Toggle's instructions say the card will automatically respond when you enter a different country. I burned through £16 of credit in one call when this did not work for me on returning to the US. After much frustration I discovered that requesting a "deadlock letter" was the incantation that shook loose a refund.
I was concerned about the very high cost of data outside the UK (£0.15/MB in France), but I found that disabling sync and using data cautiously kept the cost quite reasonable.
Toggle's instructions say the card will automatically respond when you enter a different country. I burned through £16 of credit in one call when this did not work for me on returning to the US. After much frustration I discovered that requesting a "deadlock letter" was the incantation that shook loose a refund.
I was concerned about the very high cost of data outside the UK (£0.15/MB in France), but I found that disabling sync and using data cautiously kept the cost quite reasonable.
As for the "automatic" - nope, it will not work for me either. I find that if I am able to select the country from the list then it seems to want me to select it manually. Automatic seems to work if the country is not on the list of countries in the toolkit that I can select from (I don't have them all in there as it is an old SIM now).
I am not a heavy user of data at all and like you I either get my fix on free wifi, or turn it on momenarily to pick up an email or look for a football result. I have a dual SIM phone and was thinking of getting a 3 SIM and using their 12GB of data only SIM in Feel At Home locations for £30. Or just carrying on with what I am doing now which has not really caused me any issues so far.