Pay As You Go

[kenny1234]

I am currently on a PAYG system  (O2) ==because I hardly use my own mobile.( My wife has a SIM only contract , so I use her phone at home all the time) I believe I am shortly going to have to put £10 credit on , which has to be used within 30 days then it gets wiped. I am aware that before, I had to use the phone within 6 months, but this is off the scale for someone in my position. Any suggestions?

[barry1010]

There are some cheaper SIM only rolling monthly contract deals here (cancel any time).

Not as cheap as your £10 every six months but cheaper than £10 a month

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/

[barry1010]

I'm with Smarty and am very happy with them.

Asda does a talk and text, no data, for £4 a month 

https://mobile.asda.com/pay-as-you-go/talk-text/plan

[kenny1234]

Looks like the days of having credit sitting there until I need it have gone. Such is life.

[Arksided]

I'm now with smarty £10 per month rolling contract very happy with them as my phone is my wifi for the PC 60Gig, I know that doesn't help you much Kenny,  I do hope you find what you're looking for.

Have to say it were a bit of a bind escaping from 02, i'll never go back to them.

[barry1010]

Never heard of them but £2.90 a month https://www.spusu.co.uk/spusu1special?utm_source=mobilephones.comparethemarket.com&utm_medium=awin&utm_campaign=40330181169&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=27684&awc=66040_1739051503_bd645b44931e6c48b1738948afbb088a

[nicebloke1]

Asda is best deal, £4 or £5 cheapest ones.

[theshedman]

I am in a similar position as you kenny.  Use other halfs phone most of the time even if family want me they usually phone her first to speak to me.  I have been with Tesco PAYG for many years.  I get £20 free credit every time I put £10 credit on but the free goes after one month.  However the money I put on ie £10 stays for all time as I have never lost that.  I haven't put credit on for at least 2 years now and it is still there and phone works.  Not sure if that deal is still on but I have even used the phone while abroad and it has only cost the same as in this country.  Maybe worth looking at Tesco.

[Quenched]

I heard there is a trick that if you make a call to someone and leave it ring more than 5 times providing they don't answer its classed as making a call, so it automatically extends your credit life span. 

 

 

[theshedman]

Quenched, one many of these PAYG phones what you say does work but when the recipient's phone goes to answer phone you will get a charge even if you turn it off as soon as it goes to it.

[bhg481]

I have a mobile on Tesco which I never use to make calls or send texts and it still has £15 credit on it after many years with no top-ups. Anyone sending a text to it keeps it alive so I use it for Click & Collect etc.

[Quenched]

theshedman, 

Sorry my information was based on ringing someones landline that doesn't have an answer machine set up. 

I think its 5 rings or more, then just hang up. 

[barry1010]

Those cheap Tesco deals are no longer available.  Their cheapest deal is now £7.50 a month

[theshedman]

barry does that mean as long as I stick to my PAYG on the tariff I am on it's will stay like that but if I change tariffs I wont be able to go back on the old one at a later date.

Sorry Quenched I thought you were talking about calling mobile to mobile.

[barry1010]

It means exactly that, Shedman.

Of course there is nothing to stop you getting a cheap deal elsewhere and keeping your Tesco SIM - they wouldn't know. You wouldn't be able to use the same number, though 

 

[bhg481]

barry - yes, I'm aware of that and I think it might be a problem for me. My phone is 3G which, as you know, is being switched off soon. I could put my SIM into a 4G phone but I don't think it will fit as modern phones take smaller SIMs and I think a replacement SIM will be on a different tariff even if I port the number.

[barry1010]

When the time comes speak to Tesco, they might send you a new SIM and let you keep the deal, you never know

[bhg481]

barry - yes, that's the option I have in mind. I'd like to use my wife's old smartphone, which we bought from Tesco, and have since replaced.

[theshedman]

barry my phone has 2 sim slots but for the amount I use it would be a waste of time for me.  For much of the time my phone sits on a coffee table.  Will try and stick to what I have for as long as possible.  Cheers.

[barry1010]

Those currently on Tesco Lite need not worry - it can be used on 4G phones and existing customers can get a new SIM card if the old SIM doesn't fit.  You will keep your number. The credit will continue to last 6 months as long as it is used at least once to make a call, send a text or use data.

This plan is only available to existing Tesco Mobile customers.

[bhg481]

barry - thanks for that. That's exactly what I want to do.