Pay As You Go - 3G Sim

Tikkaspecial · 16-09-2009, 7:56 AM

I am currently living in Europe but come back to the UK for a weekend once a month. I got a 3GS a couple of months ago and would like a SIM that I can use when I am back.

I have had a look into my options and the best, on paper (well, screen), is the offer from 3. With each top-up you get 150mb of data that lasts 90 days. This sounds perfect for me.

Has anyone got any experience of this plan?

Also, I very briefly used 3 in the early days and the coverage (and service) was abysmal. Have they improved? It will almost always be used in the Midlands.

PS. Mods, if you think this would be better placed in another section of the forum, then please feel free to move it.

RobM · 16-09-2009, 8:20 AM

Is your iPhone unlocked to any network?

Tikkaspecial · 16-09-2009, 9:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobM83

Is your iPhone unlocked to any network?

Yes. I live in Belgium so legally unlocked.

StevieDvd · 16-09-2009, 11:04 AM

Why not get an iPhone payg sim as it does wi-fi and unlimited data.

You're lucky with the unlocked iphone given the current 3.1 upgrade issues

. Are they only available on contract or can you buy the phones on their own (or payg) in Belgium? Only reason I ask is that Italy seems to be to favoured country for unlocked phones.

Tikkaspecial · 16-09-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

Why not get an iPhone payg sim as it does wi-fi and unlimited data.

You're lucky with the unlocked iphone given the current 3.1 upgrade issues

. Are they only available on contract or can you buy the phones on their own (or payg) in Belgium? Only reason I ask is that Italy seems to be to favoured country for unlocked phones.

Italy and Belgium have the same laws so I am surprised people favour Italy (as English is much more widely spoken here and, if needs be, is less than two hours away on Eurostar).

When I bought mine it was when the 3GS was first released so they were much sought after. Mobistar have the deal with Apple - but this only seems to give them access to stock when a model is first released because most shops were selling the 3G when I was looking. Mobistar manipulated the law a little by unofficially only offering them to customers taking a contract too (I was initially told that they had no stock and had no chance of getting one, when I mentioned I also wanted a contract, because my current 'pay&go' had allowed no data, they suddenly gave me a choice of size and colour. Contract is also only 5 eur a month, plus 10 eur for data package (+VAT)). I presume that they now have stock for non-contract buyers but I don't know for sure.

Tikkaspecial · 16-09-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

Why not get an iPhone payg sim as it does wi-fi and unlimited data.

Forgot to ask. Who provides an iPhone payg sim with unlimited data?

Tikkaspecial · 16-09-2009, 1:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikkaspecial

Forgot to ask. Who provides an iPhone payg sim with unlimited data?

Just seen that it is with O2 (which was pretty obvious, I guess). You have to top-up £15 per month to get unlimited data so this is no good for me - that would be £7.50 per day!

rune · 16-09-2009, 2:03 PM

Why not get an official o2 Iphone Pay as you go SIM? They come preloaded (for free) with 12 months Free WIFI and Internet, no need to top up (as far as I know..)

RobM · 16-09-2009, 2:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikkaspecial

Just seen that it is with O2 (which was pretty obvious, I guess). You have to top-up £15 per month to get unlimited data so this is no good for me - that would be £7.50 per day!

The unlimited data is free for the first 12 months, you only have to top up a certain amount per month after the initial 12 months is up if you want to keep the data.

So in effect you just top up what you will use for calls and messages.

StevieDvd · 16-09-2009, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikkaspecial

Italy and Belgium have the same laws so I am surprised people favour Italy (as English is much more widely spoken here and, if needs be, is less than two hours away on Eurostar).

When I bought mine it was when the 3GS was first released so they were much sought after. Mobistar have the deal with Apple - but this only seems to give them access to stock when a model is first released because most shops were selling the 3G when I was looking. Mobistar manipulated the law a little by unofficially only offering them to customers taking a contract too (I was initially told that they had no stock and had no chance of getting one, when I mentioned I also wanted a contract, because my current 'pay&go' had allowed no data, they suddenly gave me a choice of size and colour. Contract is also only 5 eur a month, plus 10 eur for data package (+VAT)). I presume that they now have stock for non-contract buyers but I don't know for sure.

Thanks it puzzled me too. Unless of course the actual cost is dearer as and when you can find one for sale.

I see your question on the O2 iphone payg sim has been answered, but to confirm I have one which I only topped up once - it still works with data & certain wi-fi hotspots even after several months. So for data only in the first 12 months it's great, and you don't lose your topup after 30 days either.

Tikkaspecial · 17-09-2009, 6:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobM83

The unlimited data is free for the first 12 months, you only have to top up a certain amount per month after the initial 12 months is up if you want to keep the data.

So in effect you just top up what you will use for calls and messages.

Cheers to you all for your replies (thanks given all round).

I shall visit an O2 shop this weekend.

hutch · 17-09-2009, 7:33 AM

I dont think you can buy them on their own from an O2 shop, I think they only come with PAYG iPhones so check ebay.

I bought one for 10 quid which included a 10 quid top up already on it for when I came back to the UK from Australia the other month, worked great and saved me a fortune in data roaming charges

rune · 17-09-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hutch

I dont think you can buy them on their own from an O2 shop, I think they only come with PAYG iPhones so check ebay.

Thats correct, they only come with PAYG Iphones.. However, there are a number of them on ebay (last time I checked), as most PAYG users go for something like Simplicity once they get the phone..

I've got a PAYG card myself that I intend to hold on to in case I even want to go PAYG (and then get the 12 months Wifi/Internet for free - Im hoping they dont expire if the card has not been activated?).

Tikkaspecial · 17-09-2009, 3:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hutch

I dont think you can buy them on their own from an O2 shop, I think they only come with PAYG iPhones so check ebay.

I bought one for 10 quid which included a 10 quid top up already on it for when I came back to the UK from Australia the other month, worked great and saved me a fortune in data roaming charges

They are going for more than double that now. So will probably knock this on the head. I have a Vodafone PAYG sim and you get 25mb for 50p (per day) so 12 weekends = £12 and 25mb is probably enough for general use in a day. I have access to WIFI where I stay so unlimited is not essential. (I also get 5p per minute calls back to Belgium with Vodafone)

I will try the 3 card arrives to see if it's any good.

Thanks again all.