Best PAYG sims?

[FiveKnuckles]

This will be disconnected by the end of the week apperently

I think O2 classic 321 is on the 4G network.  It will continue to work.
Recently found out, on the 321 you only need to make 1 call every 180 days to keep the sim active.  There was a lot of misinformation online that said you needed to top up every 180 days.

O2 is even better value than RWG, which requires a call every 90 days.

Another tip:  After a few years use, your punt sim will likely end up on client eye or have sergei trying to scam.  The 321 and RWG are cheap plans that will likely dissapear.   Just port a new number.   You can't port within the same network provider. (O2-O2 or RWG-RWG)  Buy a 99p vodafone or EE sim and request the PAC.  it's free to request the PAC.
If you're on O2, keep the little plastic card that contains the SSN number as it's needed to port a new number 

[Good-timer]

After getting a 321 sim from ebay i went to local shops to top it up by cash. I couldnt find a shop that could do it so visited an o2 shop. Firstly he said its cashless here and also its on 3 g so there is no point as o2 is disconnecting by the end of the week. I just need a sim i can pay cash with that doesnt expire after 30 days and doesnt want your life history!
 

I think O2 classic 321 is on the 4G network.  It will continue to work.
Recently found out, on the 321 you only need to make 1 call every 180 days to keep the sim active.  There was a lot of misinformation online that said you needed to top up every 180 days.

O2 is even better value than RWG, which requires a call every 90 days.

Another tip:  After a few years use, your punt sim will likely end up on client eye or have sergei trying to scam.  The 321 and RWG are cheap plans that will likely dissapear.   Just port a new number.   You can't port within the same network provider. (O2-O2 or RWG-RWG)  Buy a 99p vodafone or EE sim and request the PAC.  it's free to request the PAC.
If you're on O2, keep the little plastic card that contains the SSN number as it's needed to port a new number

[FiveKnuckles]

Firstly he said its cashless here and also its on 3 g so there is no point as o2 is disconnecting by the end of the week. I just need a sim i can pay cash with that doesnt expire after 30 days and doesnt want your life history!

I have a new unused O2 SIM with a "Must activate by xx Nov 2025".  It's definitely 4G network. The guy at the O2 shop is misinformed. 

For top-ups look for shops with the green 'top-up' logo.  Or try those shops with pay point. 

[Thriceweekly]

Newbie question. 

If I get a PAYG sim card and put it in an old phone that has run out of contract, will I still be using the same telephone number as my main phone?

[advent2016]

Newbie question. 

If I get a PAYG sim card and put it in an old phone that has run out of contract, will I still be using the same telephone number as my main phone?

The sim contains the number, so it will be different. Depending on the phone, it might be "locked" to a single carrier. Almost unheard of these days.
Ofcom banned locking in 2021.
External Link/Members Only

[Thriceweekly]

The sim contains the number, so it will be different. Depending on the phone, it might be "locked" to a single carrier. Almost unheard of these days.
Ofcom banned locking in 2021.
External Link/Members Only

Thanks for your reply. My old phone is older than 2021. Not sure how I would tell if it is "locked".

Maybe the easiest option is just to take the plunge and buy a brand new, but cheap, second phone. Don't suppose it would matter if its features are poor, just so long as I can arrange punting meets with it. 

[advent2016]

Not sure how I would tell if it is "locked".

If you look at the existing sim it will most likely have the carrier name on it. Putting in another network sim will tell you, it will says "locked" or something.

[Watts.E.Dunn]

All this burner numbers they get recycled as best i know!

Wonder where they go?.. And who gets them?..

[FiveKnuckles]

All this burner numbers they get recycled as best i know!

Wonder where they go?.. And who gets them?..

Gets recycled at 30-90 days.  There must be a small probability of getting someone's old punt number that's blacklisted on CE, or stalker/bunny boiler

[loola]

Is an esim a viable option for this?

I've never used one so don't know how a phone handles it, if it counts as two partitions (ala everything is secret) or not?

[lostandfound]

On the subject as PAYG sims I recently got one from Talk Home. 1p each for text, or call minute, or unit of data. Pretty good value I thought. runs on the EE network.

[FiveKnuckles]

On the subject as PAYG sims I recently got one from Talk Home. 1p each for text, or call minute, or unit of data. Pretty good value I thought. runs on the EE network.

That's a terrible PAYG plan for punting.  T&C, minimum spend £5 per month or they collect the difference from your balance.  That's £60 per year.  For £60 there's much better plans from rwg, O2, lebara etc.

[lostandfound]

That's a terrible PAYG plan for punting.  T&C, minimum spend £5 per month or they collect the difference from your balance.  That's £60 per year.  For £60 there's much better plans from rwg, O2, lebara etc.

Fair point - I hadn't spotted that.