Pay as you go SIM for backpacking safety

[clair5pear]

I am an existing EE broadband customer. However, my mobile phone is on O2. I live in a very rural area and O2 is the only network that gets any form of signal where I live - especially indoors. This is crucial if we have a power cut which happens at least 3 or 4 times a year, but also for passcodes, banking and security logins that require a text to be sent. For these reasons, I cannot change my mobile to EE as well.a

I am also a backpacker and wild camper, especially in Scotland. EE offers much better coverage in Scotland than O2 does. I would therefore like to buy a PAYG SIM to use in my dual SIM phone as a back up. I don't mean in emergency situations as I know if I dial 999 my phone will piggy back off whatever network is available, but simply to contact home to let them know I'm ok or my location or to look up the amenities in the next town or to book a train ticket etc etc. I have searched and searched but cannot find anything that would suit my requirements and frankly, the EE website is awful - repeatedly sending me in circles and offering the option to 'click below ' but there is nothing to actually click - I'm pulling my hair out. 

[James_B · Accepted solution]

Hi @clair5pear,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Have you tried ordering at Free Pay As You Go SIM Card | PAYG SIM Cards | EE Shop.

James

[clair5pear]

Hi. Yes, I saw this, but it only lasts 30 days doesn't it? I'd then lose all the minutes and have to buy them all over again? I want a SIM that I can top up as and when, but the minutes are then mine to keep, not lost after 30 days. Unless I am misreading it? Bearing in mind the nature of what this is for, I'm not going to get through all the minutes and data in 30 days, I'd want them to remain on the SIM until the next trip. 

[Leanne_T]

Hi @clair5pear 

That is correct, pay as you go packs will only last for a maximum of 30 days and will need to be purchased again. 

We have no pack or plan that would last until the minutes and texts have been used.

You can use the pay as you go SIM and pay for the minutes, texts and buy a data add-on, you would have no pack or allowance and the credit would last until used. 

Leanne.

[clair5pear]

Hi Leanne,

Thanks for your reply, I am really sorry but I don't fully understand the final part of what you said? 

Clair

[Leanne_T]

Hi @clair5pear 

You can use the SIM without a pack or allowance, the credit would last until you have ran out and you would pay for calls and texts. You would need to purchase a data add-on. 

For details and charges please see our Pay as you go non-standard price guide. 

Leanne. 

[clair5pear]

Hi,

I'm still unsure as you seem to be saying contradictory things. Are you saying that to get ta PAYG SIM I have to initially but it as part of a bundle (is bundle different to pack and if so how?). When that bundle ends, the data would be lost but the calls and texts wouldn't - they'd still be there until I use them up, is that correct?

Would I have to purchase another bundle or make a call or do something within a certain time period to ensure the SIM stayed live? For example, if I  just made sure I used it at least once a month, could I then just buy a data add-on occasionally when I am planning on going on a trip?

 I never thought it'd be so difficult to just buy a SIM and top it up when needed.

[Leanne_T]

Hi @clair5pear 

If you get a pay as go SIM card they come with a pack which lasts 30 days and then the minutes and calls would reset and you would need to purchase a new pack. Data does rollover to the next pack if not all used, and details can be found here - How do I get Data Rollover from EE?

No text and call allowance in a pack will last longer than 30 days. 

If you did not want a pack and wanted to pay for each call and text you sent you would cancel the pack and add credit to make calls and send texts, this would be charged per minute and per text.

You can only use data with a pack or you would need to purchase a data add-on which would last for the term stated when purchased. Data add-ons are not eligible for data rollover.

Pay as you go SIM cards would go into hibernation, to stop this from happening please see our What is pay as you go and flex hibernation, and how do I stop it?. 

Leanne.

[XRaySpeX]

All EE PAYG SIMs come primed with a recurring Pack of allowances ready to bought out of your PAYG credit as soon as it is sufficient.

Text STOP PACK to 150 before you 1st top-up & you can use the SIM for calls & texts but not data as normal PAYG at standard per-unit rates paid for out of your standing PAYG credit balance.

To save the SIM going into hibernation due to lack of use, just remember within every 179 days (~ 6 months) to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from any Pack or Add-on you might have.