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
Apr 20, 2018, 7:48 am
#466
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 650
I have 3 which I find very good. The credit never expires unless you are on a 30 day roam at home plan. I also had Vodaphone for many years until my nephew lost the sim card. I got my sim card from eBay so I could have it when I landed. If you wait to get it in London the sim is free at the 3 shop. If you are coming in on BA. there is a Vodaphone shop in Terminal 5. Both sims will work well in France and Germany.
Nov 10, 2018, 5:10 pm
#467
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
I am going to London for a few days.
I am getting there after the stores close so I am thinking I:
1 - go to a Carphone Warehouse store the next day to get a SIM Card or
2 - order a free 3 SIM and have it sent to my hotel
Carphone Warehouse https://www.carphonewarehouse.com/si...sort/relevance seems to have better deals than what is listed on https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/ . Are they pretty good?
It seems 3's data is more expensive than others but I don't think I will use it that much anyway. It might be cheaper to just go with the 3, 2, 1?
Thanks.
I am getting there after the stores close so I am thinking I:
1 - go to a Carphone Warehouse store the next day to get a SIM Card or
2 - order a free 3 SIM and have it sent to my hotel
Carphone Warehouse https://www.carphonewarehouse.com/si...sort/relevance seems to have better deals than what is listed on https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/ . Are they pretty good?
It seems 3's data is more expensive than others but I don't think I will use it that much anyway. It might be cheaper to just go with the 3, 2, 1?
Thanks.
Last edited by username; Nov 10, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Nov 11, 2018, 1:18 am
#468
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,347
SIMs will be available in almost every petrol (gas) station, sweet/newspaper shops, convenience stores, big brand "express" stores, probably the arrival terminal depending where you are flying into, and more besides. Lycamobile, Lebara, are typically popular for a couple of days, you will be spoilt for choice as we have a lot of MVNO operators all offering deals. I am on the 3 network and don't have any issues with service in London, but then again I have been with Virgin, O2, Vodafone, and the only one I have had issues with is Vodafone (which is my work phone so am not really fussed) but in London you will be able to pick up free wifi at the usual places. You may want to go for one that allows you to top-up using a voucher or paypal as sometimes the "foreign credit card, foreign address" does not work with all vendors. Usually you can get around it by buying a topup voucher on the card and use it that way but sometimes it can be an issue online. The wiki may have more information that is useful for you too.
Nov 11, 2018, 9:04 am
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Thank you. People say outlets at LHR are over-priced so I am trying to avoid that.
I ordered a card from 3 - let's see if it gets delivered. Otherwise, I guess I can check out a near-by petro station rather than trying to find the nearest Carphone Warehouse.
I survived 5 days in Tokyo without mobile service so I am sure it can be managed in London also - especially there is a lot less language barrier.
I ordered a card from 3 - let's see if it gets delivered. Otherwise, I guess I can check out a near-by petro station rather than trying to find the nearest Carphone Warehouse.
I survived 5 days in Tokyo without mobile service so I am sure it can be managed in London also - especially there is a lot less language barrier.
Nov 11, 2018, 9:41 am
#470
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Thank you. People say outlets at LHR are over-priced so I am trying to avoid that.
I ordered a card from 3 - let's see if it gets delivered. Otherwise, I guess I can check out a near-by petro station rather than trying to find the nearest Carphone Warehouse.
I survived 5 days in Tokyo without mobile service so I am sure it can be managed in London also - especially there is a lot less language barrier.
I ordered a card from 3 - let's see if it gets delivered. Otherwise, I guess I can check out a near-by petro station rather than trying to find the nearest Carphone Warehouse.
I survived 5 days in Tokyo without mobile service so I am sure it can be managed in London also - especially there is a lot less language barrier.
Nov 11, 2018, 12:04 pm
#471
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Thanks. Looks like there is one at Arrivals in T2: https://www.heathrow.com/shops-and-r...ps-a-z/whsmith
Also found: prepaid SIM-buy at Heathrow or wait - I guess avoid the vending machines but WH Smith is OK.
Also found: prepaid SIM-buy at Heathrow or wait - I guess avoid the vending machines but WH Smith is OK.
Nov 21, 2018, 3:51 pm
#472
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Just want to share my experience. I checked the WH Smith, vending machine and other outlets at LHR T2. WH Smith' cheapest SIM with plan was 20 GBP but also had the 3 card for 1.99 GBP (minimum voucher is 10 GBP). Since I am cheap, I decided to wait. In town, there was no price at Tesco for the 3 card and the guy only charged me for the voucher.
3's website is not very stable - I had multiple problems registering. However, the phone side of things worked fine. I did have to change the APN.
I decided on the 1,2,3 plan where the credit never expires as long as you use it once every 6 months. Every time you add a voucher, you get 150 MB free for the first 48 hours!
Interesting enough, unlike the pre-paid in US and Canada, Wifi calling works. So, I wonder if it will work when I am outside UK. Otherwise, I have to come back just to keep my credit going
It is incredible how inexpensive mobile service is here.
3's website is not very stable - I had multiple problems registering. However, the phone side of things worked fine. I did have to change the APN.
I decided on the 1,2,3 plan where the credit never expires as long as you use it once every 6 months. Every time you add a voucher, you get 150 MB free for the first 48 hours!
Interesting enough, unlike the pre-paid in US and Canada, Wifi calling works. So, I wonder if it will work when I am outside UK. Otherwise, I have to come back just to keep my credit going
It is incredible how inexpensive mobile service is here.
Nov 22, 2018, 12:30 am
#473
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,347
Just want to share my experience. I checked the WH Smith, vending machine and other outlets at LHR T2. WH Smith' cheapest SIM with plan was 20 GBP but also had the 3 card for 1.99 GBP (minimum voucher is 10 GBP). Since I am cheap, I decided to wait. In town, there was no price at Tesco for the 3 card and the guy only charged me for the voucher.
3's website is not very stable - I had multiple problems registering. However, the phone side of things worked fine. I did have to change the APN.
I decided on the 1,2,3 plan where the credit never expires as long as you use it once every 6 months. Every time you add a voucher, you get 150 MB free for the first 48 hours!
Interesting enough, unlike the pre-paid in US and Canada, Wifi calling works. So, I wonder if it will work when I am outside UK. Otherwise, I have to come back just to keep my credit going
It is incredible how inexpensive mobile service is here.
3's website is not very stable - I had multiple problems registering. However, the phone side of things worked fine. I did have to change the APN.
I decided on the 1,2,3 plan where the credit never expires as long as you use it once every 6 months. Every time you add a voucher, you get 150 MB free for the first 48 hours!
Interesting enough, unlike the pre-paid in US and Canada, Wifi calling works. So, I wonder if it will work when I am outside UK. Otherwise, I have to come back just to keep my credit going
It is incredible how inexpensive mobile service is here.
And yes, all my American friends are amazed at the cost and the many choices of locations you can get a SIM/plan without having to sign in to speak to an "adviser" (ATT), get a hard upsell (ATT), pay a premium if you buy it in San Francisco (ATT), and have a policeman on the door to stop the homeless coming in (well most of them, one slipped through and was asleep in the store) (ATT). But apart from that the play was quite good
Nov 26, 2018, 6:37 am
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Wifi-calling did not connect. I then put the phone off the airplane mode and it got onto T-Mobile. Once airplane mode was disabled, it still did not get Wifi-Calling.
I did not think the 1,2,3 plan would be ale to do international roaming. I wonder if the rates are the usual rates or much higher. For the USA, it is the same as in UK according to their website. For Canada, it is very very expensive.
I did not think the 1,2,3 plan would be ale to do international roaming. I wonder if the rates are the usual rates or much higher. For the USA, it is the same as in UK according to their website. For Canada, it is very very expensive.
Nov 26, 2018, 7:13 am
#475
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
My understanding of their rates is that calls within the EU and to the UK from "At Home Abroad" countries outside the EU are at the UK rate but calls to other numbers, such as a US number while outside the UK, are much more expensive.
Nov 26, 2018, 1:08 pm
#476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
It is clear that this is the case if you have the add-ons. However, I can't tell if this is still the case with the base 1,2,3 prepaid without any add-on. I guess I will give it a try in 6 months as I need to do that to keep my SIM active....
Nov 26, 2018, 1:12 pm
#477
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
I think the point is that any add-ons you have will be used. There is an odd mention of data being more expensive if you don't have an add-on but I haven't looked into it.
Dec 9, 2018, 9:53 pm
#478
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
Since it's been a while(> 4 years) since I've purchased a UK Sim Card(last time I went to the UK in 2016 T-Mobile USA had free *FULL* speed roaming, so no need), I need advice. I'll be in Europe for 2.5 weeks(one of which is a roadtrip in the EU(Netherlands/Germany/France/Belgium)).
I'm thinking either giffgaff (with a 20GBP goody bag), or Three with either the 20 or 25GBP add on. My friend and his wife(who I'm going to be with most of this trip) are on 3. Anyone have any experience using giffgaff? Should I stick with 3?
I'm thinking either giffgaff (with a 20GBP goody bag), or Three with either the 20 or 25GBP add on. My friend and his wife(who I'm going to be with most of this trip) are on 3. Anyone have any experience using giffgaff? Should I stick with 3?
Dec 9, 2018, 11:55 pm
#479
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,644
giffgaff is an MVNO on O2. I've seen lots of complaints about giffgaff, so if your only other option is 3, you should probably go with 3. Last time I was in the UK (which was also on T-Mo with full speed roaming at the time in 2016), the service on 3 was alright, but I had better speeds with EE (formerly T-Mobile UK). I don't know how good the service will be roaming in the EU on a UK SIM though, as I was still on my T-Mobile US SIM when I was there.
When I was in Belgium, I roamed onto Proximus, which was pretty decent. Orange was unusable.
When I was in Germany, I was on T-Mobile DE, and in the Netherlands, I was on T-Mobile NL, both of which were superb.
I'm not sure if any UK operators may lock you out of any networks while elsewhere in the EU, but you shouldn't run into any problems with roaming as the EU has "Roam like you're at home" rules on roaming so there are no additional roaming charges or rates.
When I was in Belgium, I roamed onto Proximus, which was pretty decent. Orange was unusable.
When I was in Germany, I was on T-Mobile DE, and in the Netherlands, I was on T-Mobile NL, both of which were superb.
I'm not sure if any UK operators may lock you out of any networks while elsewhere in the EU, but you shouldn't run into any problems with roaming as the EU has "Roam like you're at home" rules on roaming so there are no additional roaming charges or rates.
Last edited by diburning; Dec 10, 2018 at 12:02 am
Dec 10, 2018, 1:36 am
#480
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,347
I used to be with giffgaff when they were younger. Now I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole. I'm with 3, speeds are just fine for me whenever I roam, mainly used for maps, reading the news, whatsapp, and that's about it.