Actually paying as you go...

[coldel]

My ten year old son has started doing his little commute to school on his own in year 6. To keep him in contact I have bought him a cheap press button nokia to take with him (to avoid him being targeted by anyone wanting a smart phone) and bought an EE pay as you go sim. I didn't realise (foolishly) that you are in effect a monthly rolling contract, that you have to pay the minimum top up each month even if you have a load of credit left.

I looked online and the only brand offering a real pay as you go option i.e. topping up when you actually run out of credit rather than a monthly take from your account, is Giff Gaff but it has some dodgy reviews regarding signal.

Any sage advice from fellow PHers on best and cost effective approach?

...and no I don't need to hear about how back in the old days you used to walk 100+ miles to school, slay a lion enroute, fight off a horde of orcs and you didn't need a phone and you made it through ok etc.

[mark_1974]

GIffgaff uses O2, so if you have O2 signal it will be fine. I've been with them for years, and they have much better signal for me than my EE work phone both at home and where my office is, but your mileage may vary depending on where you live.

[PrinceRupert]

As above, GiffGaff will provide identical signal strength and coverage to O2.

[eltawater]

I use Tesco mobile PAYG precisely because I don't have to keep adding a minimum top up every month. I can go for months without topping up as I make very few outgoing calls, I think they just ask that you make or receive a call every six months to prove it's still in use.
They use the O2 network so network coverage may vary for you.

[coldel]

Thanks both, I think I will switch it over.

[Mr Penguin]

I used GiffGaff, then moved to O2 due to costs. I didn't notice any difference in signal in any of the places I regularly visit.

[ZedLeg]

I've ran a giffgaff sim for the last couple of years and I've never had a problem. Mines was one of the monthly payment ones rather than pay as you go though.

[Freakuk]

GiffGaff user here and have been for a few years. From a general signal (phone) it's fine and has been said it's on the O2 network, GiffGaff is a subsidiary of O2 as I recall.

But for any internet/app access I think they must reduce the bandwidth as even with a strong 4G signal it's pretty slow, 5G is fine when I get it though.

[coldel]

Cheers, the phone is there in emergency he can call so just need credit sitting on it for those emergencies.

[TC7]

I have a vodafone payg sim in my old iPhone 6s that i use as my business number, top it up when it runs out every few months and normally only a tenner at a time as i just piggy back wifi from my monthly regular phone when required if im not at home on the wifi.

Vodafone like to send messages with offers of extra data if you top up x amount this week etc but no obligation to do so.

[sjg]

I use giffgaff in our house alarm, just top up very occasionally. If you go 6 months with no calls/texts then you get an email telling you to use it or the SIM will get deactivated. As said, runs on O2 network, they're part of Telefonica.

I think most networks have similar basic PAYG offerings - as long as you've got credit and it gets used within 6 months they don't need to be used or have a regular monthly charge.

[Newc]

Went through a similar exercise earlier in the summer and came across www.rwgmobile.wales who offered it.

All been fine so far though only a couple of months in.

[Colonel Cupcake]

You should be able to ask EE to change the plan to 'classic' PAYG. This should do what you want it to do. I last did this just over a year ago but I think the classic option is still available.

[gus607]

We have just set up my father in law with a cheap Nokia 105 4G grandad phone with an unlimited call & text Sim from Three, £5 per month which is better than the hassle of keeping your eye on call usage & constantly topping up.

[Mr Pointy]

eltawater said:

I use Tesco mobile PAYG precisely because I don't have to keep adding a minimum top up every month. I can go for months without topping up as I make very few outgoing calls, I think they just ask that you make or receive a call every six months to prove it's still in use.
They use the O2 network so network coverage may vary for you.

Yep, I have Tesco Mobile as well & you only top up when needed - about every six months or so for my use.

[hellorent]

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/

[hellorent]

gus607 said:

We have just set up my father in law with a cheap Nokia 105 4G grandad phone with an unlimited call & text Sim from Three, £5 per month which is better than the hassle of keeping your eye on call usage & constantly topping up.

Just a quick 1 does it support whatsapp ?

[gus607]

hellorent said:

gus607 said:

We have just set up my father in law with a cheap Nokia 105 4G grandad phone with an unlimited call & text Sim from Three, £5 per month which is better than the hassle of keeping your eye on call usage & constantly topping up.

Just a quick 1 does it support whatsapp ?

It certainly does.
https://shop.ee.co.uk/mobile-phones/pay-as-you-go/...

[coldel]

Just as a note to tie this up. Called up EE and they confirmed that I had inadvertently bought a package which needs a £10 top up each month. The guy was very good on the phone, he switched it to a basic pay as you go package where the credit has no expiry explained when we will get notifications on low credit etc. then added £10 credit to the phone for me. Took all of 5 minutes. Brilliant customer service. Simple, easy, clearly explained, no being passed around various department. Well done EE.

[the-norseman]

The missus has just got her 10 year old a £6 p/m giff gaff and I'm setting up a Nokia 8810 4G for him (just hacked it to remove Facebook,Instagram,Twitter etc)