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
Aug 21, 2017, 7:11 pm
#436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
I wonder if anyone can answer this question. I live in the US but I'm English so travel back not infrequently but sometimes there is a year or more gap. I've purchased PAYG sims before but the one problem I haven't to date been able to solve is keeping the sim active when I'm out of the UK, so I lose my number and have to start all over again. It occurs to me that if I use three, I could use the feel at home option to send a text back to the UK on, say, a 3 monthly basis just to keep the number alive. Any thoughts on this.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:28 pm
#437
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 124
are you having trouble remembering to take an action, or do the companies not offer an option to extend?
Companies like toggle (which I can't really recommend anymore since they don't have european data option) offer the ability to have a permanent number for 7$ extra a year which keeps it in place and doesn't then require the frequent extensions. Maybe Three offers similar?
Historically, I just do a text to my google voice number once every 85 days (I setup a calendar reminder - one could probably just setup a programmed email to text and set the delivery dates) that keeps things alive for the ones that require some use.
Companies like toggle (which I can't really recommend anymore since they don't have european data option) offer the ability to have a permanent number for 7$ extra a year which keeps it in place and doesn't then require the frequent extensions. Maybe Three offers similar?
Historically, I just do a text to my google voice number once every 85 days (I setup a calendar reminder - one could probably just setup a programmed email to text and set the delivery dates) that keeps things alive for the ones that require some use.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:29 pm
#438
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 124
The cost of SIM only contracts on Three is so low that you might consider going that route. I pay £9 per month for unlimited calling, unlimited texts and unlimited data. You could probably find cheaper for limited options. By having a contract, you save all those worries for very low outlay.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:34 pm
#439
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 124
I wouldn't do that. If your only use over a period is outside the UK, they may suspect you're not a UK customer. 
('At home' option is intended for UK phones temporarily abroad.)
OTOH, my wife and I both use 3-2-1 PAYG. When we check balances, there is always the message 'Information... Your credit will not expire'.
('At home' option is intended for UK phones temporarily abroad.)OTOH, my wife and I both use 3-2-1 PAYG. When we check balances, there is always the message 'Information... Your credit will not expire'.
Aug 21, 2017, 10:55 pm
#440
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Well, that was convenient, EE sent the kid a SIM card today with a free 30 day PAYG starter pack. She'll use that and see how it works out, so we don't even have to do anything when we get there. Some smart marketing folks over at EE with a accurate mailing list. :-0
Aug 22, 2017, 7:03 am
#441
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
You may want to verify. But some carriers charge a whole lot more to call that Toggle UK number than regular UK mobiles. I believe the Toggle number is an Isle of Man number.
Aug 23, 2017, 7:50 am
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
Mine isn't. It's a regular cell number, ported from Three.
My original Toggle number started 07438.
http://www.area-codes.org.uk/mobile/07438-numbers.php
My original Toggle number started 07438.
Which network uses 07438 numbers?
07438 numbers are officially allocated to Lycamobile for mobile phone services ...
Call charges
These are normal mobile numbers and will usually be charged at standard rates.
07438 numbers are officially allocated to Lycamobile for mobile phone services ...
Call charges
These are normal mobile numbers and will usually be charged at standard rates.
Aug 23, 2017, 8:07 am
#444
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
Exactly! Yours was ported from Three.
The one I have was assigned by them and it starts with 07466. There are complaints all over the internet about people in the UK complaining about being charged a lot for calling these numbers vs regular mobiles. Also, as I recollect, Callcentric and VOIPms charge significantly more for calling these numbers vs regular UK mobile numbers.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
The one I have was assigned by them and it starts with 07466. There are complaints all over the internet about people in the UK complaining about being charged a lot for calling these numbers vs regular mobiles. Also, as I recollect, Callcentric and VOIPms charge significantly more for calling these numbers vs regular UK mobile numbers.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
Last edited by mrcamp; Aug 23, 2017 at 8:17 am
Aug 23, 2017, 8:40 am
#445
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
... Also, as I recollect, Callcentric and VOIPms charge significantly more for calling these numbers vs regular UK mobile numbers.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
FWIW, I just checked 07466 and found:
Which network uses 07466 numbers?
07466 numbers are officially allocated to Lycamobile for mobile phone services.
All 07466 numbers will have originally been issued to customers by Lycamobile. However, customers are free to take their number with them when they change networks which means that an 07466 number is not a reliable indicator of which network a phone is currently connected to.
Call charges
These are normal mobile numbers and will usually be charged at standard rates.
Some phone companies exclude calls to 07466 numbers from inclusive call allowances – check your tariff details before calling.
07466 numbers are officially allocated to Lycamobile for mobile phone services.
All 07466 numbers will have originally been issued to customers by Lycamobile. However, customers are free to take their number with them when they change networks which means that an 07466 number is not a reliable indicator of which network a phone is currently connected to.
Call charges
These are normal mobile numbers and will usually be charged at standard rates.
Some phone companies exclude calls to 07466 numbers from inclusive call allowances – check your tariff details before calling.
Aug 24, 2017, 7:34 am
#447
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 124
Well maybe. But I really like to have access to a local phone at all times until I'm actually on the plane. I suppose I could mail it to someone one and then have them mail it back to me close to when I come over again, but that's a bit of a palaver.
Frankly, this shouldn't be so hard. But it's a first world problem I guess.
Frankly, this shouldn't be so hard. But it's a first world problem I guess.
Aug 24, 2017, 11:18 am
#448
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
Exactly! Yours was ported from Three.
The one I have was assigned by them and it starts with 07466. There are complaints all over the internet about people in the UK complaining about being charged a lot for calling these numbers vs regular mobiles. Also, as I recollect, Callcentric and VOIPms charge significantly more for calling these numbers vs regular UK mobile numbers.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
The one I have was assigned by them and it starts with 07466. There are complaints all over the internet about people in the UK complaining about being charged a lot for calling these numbers vs regular mobiles. Also, as I recollect, Callcentric and VOIPms charge significantly more for calling these numbers vs regular UK mobile numbers.
Edit- I just checked callcentric and VOIPms. They both list $0.26 and $0.38 for calling these numbers respectively, Vs 2.7 cents and $0.13 for calling regular UK mobiles.
Aug 25, 2017, 12:11 am
#449
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 wonder if anyone can answer this question. I live in the US but I'm English so travel back not infrequently but sometimes there is a year or more gap. I've purchased PAYG sims before but the one problem I haven't to date been able to solve is keeping the sim active when I'm out of the UK, so I lose my number and have to start all over again. It occurs to me that if I use three, I could use the feel at home option to send a text back to the UK on, say, a 3 monthly basis just to keep the number alive. Any thoughts on this.
Suspension of Three Services
9.1 We may Suspend any or all of the Three Services you use without notice if:
(h) you have not activated a Pay As You Go Voucher on your account or undertaken any chargeable events or activities (for example, made telephone calls, sent text or photo messages, accessed content or the internet or any other Three Services for which a charge is made) using any credit or allowance on your account within the preceding 6 month period. If you do not have an Active Pay As You Go Voucher on your account, your phone will continue to be capable of receiving incoming calls for the periods set out in the Price Guide and other customer documentation; and/or....
Source
Last edited by Silver Fox; Aug 26, 2017 at 8:24 am
Aug 25, 2017, 8:11 am
#450
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
I couldn't get this to work.