Best Punting Mobile Network?

[bigbird83]

Hey I don't want this to sound like an advert but i've been researching to try and find the best value mobile phone network to use for my punting and the best i've found has been Asda's mobile network. Credit doesn't expire as long as you use it every 270 days which is ideal even for the most occasional punter. Calls are 8p a minute, and texts 4p and they allow you to top up £5. Plus you can pick up a sim card for free at any supermarket which saves OH possibly spotting it in the post.

I wondered if anyone knew of any better deals out there?

Feel free to flame me if you feel this wasn't worth sharing, gotta learn somehow

[DannyJames]

I use a PAYG sim from Three.

3p a min, 2p a text, 1p a MB of data.

[mediumjoe]

Same here as the credit including the Data element stays on until  you have used it up, handy for emails to AW. Joe

[Moresomes]

I use a PAYG sim from Three.

3p a min, 2p a text, 1p a MB of data.

Same here.

[mattmugwump]

what's the easiest way to get an anon SIM card on Three, also are you topping up with cash in the supermarket?

EDIT: maybe should have added that I'm on Talk Mobile but it's not 100% anon hence the above question...

[wannabe]

I use 3 as well. Call rates are cheap, and as has been mentioned, your credit never runs out after a certain period - it's there until you use it.

I just went in to my local 3 shop and bought the PAYG SIM - no names needed.

[wannabe]

Another plus point for 3 - they no longer lock their phones to their network, so if you want to leave 3, you can just get a SIM from another network and stick it in your existing phone.

And if you do have a phone locked to 3 (pre 2014) they will unlock if for free - yes, FREE! Here's their unlocking page External Link/Members Only

And I don't work for them by the way. Their downside is probably that their coverage isn't as good as some of the major networks, more so outside cities.

[LL]

This thread reads like an advert for Three.
So just to add a bit of balance. I also use Three for my punting phone. I once booked a prossie somewhere in North London (can't remember exactly where). Got to her area on time. Never been there before but I had the postcode. No signal on my phone whatsoever. I.e there was no Three coverage in the vicinity. So I couldn't call this girl in order to get her house number and the punt was aborted! So just bear in mind, Three might be the cheapest but they also have the flakiest network coverage with some blackspots - even in London.

[mattmugwump]

I think any PAYG thread will read like a Three ad - they are pretty cheap with the 3-2-1 pricing but there are other networks available

[AnthG]

Tried a few of them. Stuck with Three.

My advice get the Three Data Sim that gives you 200mb free each month once you activate that feature by going to the page they say you need to and tun it on and just treat it like a regular 3-2-1 phone sim - don't tell Three you are doing this though.

Via the website you can topup by as little as £2. In supermarkets by £10.

[Spacecowb0y]

I tried to get to ukpunting from a three sim and it said I had to verify , sod that.
Lycamobile works without verification, so that will do for now.

[ickydicky]

vodophone from argos a tenner plus a tenner for minutes. then update at a fiver a time. all you need for most punts. why waste dough on phones and top ups which could be better used for getting sucked and fucked

[SUMO61]

vodophone from argos a tenner plus a tenner for minutes. then update at a fiver a time. all you need for most punts. why waste dough on phones and top ups which could be better used for getting sucked and fucked

Yep, agree. Cheap Argos phone and Vodaphone top up for me too 

[Anadin]

I tried to get to ukpunting from a three sim and it said I had to verify , sod that.
Lycamobile works without verification, so that will do for now.

I used to use a free VPN app before I just registered.

[LL]

Yep, agree. Cheap Argos phone and Vodaphone top up for me too 

Top up?
I put a tenner on my punting phone years ago and it's still going strong. I'm on Three now and that tenner will allow me to send 500 texts. When the punting phone was on Vodafone I was topping it up every month! Vodafone network coverage is better however.

[pumps]

mostly use tesco here, they'll double your money that you top up.

plus I get a new sim every time I top up (every 2 to 3 months)....best way imo

[CoolTiger]

mostly use tesco here, they'll double your money that you top up.

plus I get a new sim every time I top up (every 2 to 3 months)....best way imo

Is there a time limit by which the free top-up given by them needs to be used up?

[rg41]

I use a PAYG sim from Three.

3p a min, 2p a text, 1p a MB of data.

I tried the Three PAYG sim and the coverage was so poor I could only get a connection 1 in six attempts and this was in an area that Three said was good coverage, Three refunded my money.

[pumps]

Is there a time limit by which the free top-up given by them needs to be used up?

The free credit is valid for a month.

[CoolTiger]

The free credit is valid for a month.

Thanks.

As I thought, a gimmick sell. If a typical punter loaded £10 on his punting phone, he is unlikely to use the free top-up of £10 within 30 days, so will lose most of this free credit anyway.


Having read similar queries in the past, the Network "3" gives best VFM,  but their coverage in certain areas is terrible.

[stayer]

I use giffgaff airtime credit, these are the External Link/Members Only.

To prevent loss of credit, you need to do one of a number of things once every six months, e.g. make a chargeable call or text message, make at least one connection to the internet. This isn't a problem as I make punting arrangements more than once every six months.

Giffgaff runs on the O2 network, so either an unlocked or O2-locked phone is needed.

[pumps]

Thanks.

As I thought, a gimmick sell. If a typical punter loaded £10 on his punting phone, he is unlikely to use the free top-up of £10 within 30 days, so will lose most of this free credit anyway.


Having read similar queries in the past, the Network "3" gives best VFM,  but their coverage in certain areas is terrible.

I see what your saying, but its still something usefull for nothing..., it stretches the money, typically £10 will last me 2.5 months due to the first month I'm using the free credit, and I punt quite alot.

[cockneybstrd]

I use an 02 PAYG bought a bundle of ten sim cards all with the 10 quid deal 250 minutes a 1000 text and 500mb of data as I use an old smartphone.

once used up throw away move on to the next one.

[lostandfound]

Top up?
I put a tenner on my punting phone years ago and it's still going strong. I'm on Three now and that tenner will allow me to send 500 texts. When the punting phone was on Vodafone I was topping it up every month! Vodafone network coverage is better however.

Yes - that's been pretty much my experience too.

Got one of Three's data SIMs Anth mentions, when I heard him mention it on here once before, but I haven't tried it yet as I still have £s to use up from a £10 Three topup last year.

[Punting Valley]

I use EE pay as you go. They might not be the cheapest but they have the best network coverage, and I would hate to not have signal when i need to text the WG for the address right before the scheduled time.

[Bethh]

I recommend EE, great coverage and I've never had to give them any personal details to use their services.

If you need to have the internet porn ban unlocked, you can also just take ID to the store and they lift it then and there without keeping your details.

Not sure how they are expense wise though, I top up once a month and get something like 300 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data on a 30 month renewel.