PAYG eSIM that doesn't expire quickly
Discussion
Short version:
I have a Pixel 6a with a physical SIM (Three network) and I am hoping I can find an eSIM from a different network with pay-as-you-go and where data/allowances don't expire after one month.
Long version
I have a Pixel 6a phone on a SIM-only contract with Three, the contract still has just over a year and a half to go.
My wife and I have been on the other major networks (EE, O2, Vodafone) over the years with no major grumbles but I've been disappointed with Three.
Three's signal tends to be weaker and patchier, their website/app is often not working properly.
Most annoyingly there is an unresolved issue with my account where the website or app always says I have 100% of my data allowance left regardless of how much I have used.
This means that I am prone to suddenly getting a text warning that I am down to <20% of my data, but even then their website and app still says I have full data remaining.
Consequently, I am afraid to use data in case I end up overshooting my allowance.
I have spoken with their customer services but all they say is: 'Computer says 100% of data remaining'.
Also they screwed up with the government emergency alert which has also dented my confidence in their network.
I'm stuck with Three until early 2025 but I need a backup for when I 'unexpectedly' run out of data/allowances due to the glitch, or when I can't get a good connection.
So does anyone know of a provider that offers PAYG which doesn't expire after a month and which is available with an eSIM?
I have a Pixel 6a with a physical SIM (Three network) and I am hoping I can find an eSIM from a different network with pay-as-you-go and where data/allowances don't expire after one month.
Long version
I have a Pixel 6a phone on a SIM-only contract with Three, the contract still has just over a year and a half to go.
My wife and I have been on the other major networks (EE, O2, Vodafone) over the years with no major grumbles but I've been disappointed with Three.
Three's signal tends to be weaker and patchier, their website/app is often not working properly.
Most annoyingly there is an unresolved issue with my account where the website or app always says I have 100% of my data allowance left regardless of how much I have used.
This means that I am prone to suddenly getting a text warning that I am down to <20% of my data, but even then their website and app still says I have full data remaining.
Consequently, I am afraid to use data in case I end up overshooting my allowance.
I have spoken with their customer services but all they say is: 'Computer says 100% of data remaining'.
Also they screwed up with the government emergency alert which has also dented my confidence in their network.
I'm stuck with Three until early 2025 but I need a backup for when I 'unexpectedly' run out of data/allowances due to the glitch, or when I can't get a good connection.
So does anyone know of a provider that offers PAYG which doesn't expire after a month and which is available with an eSIM?
This one designed for travellers but it does use O2 and Three in the UK:
https://www.keepgo.com/products/esim-europe-eu-net...
Not sure what the data consumption rate is when using these networks but low enough cost to give it a try.
I use similar (Airalo) when working in Brazil, US and EU and it works out a huge amount cheaper than roaming charges on my UK Three contract (even though I am supposed to get a roaming allowance within my package). Those only have weeks of validity though.
https://www.keepgo.com/products/esim-europe-eu-net...
Not sure what the data consumption rate is when using these networks but low enough cost to give it a try.
I use similar (Airalo) when working in Brazil, US and EU and it works out a huge amount cheaper than roaming charges on my UK Three contract (even though I am supposed to get a roaming allowance within my package). Those only have weeks of validity though.
I have a Samsung who are known for not providing vanilla android software but maybe the Pixel has a similar tool in settings, got to settings, connections, data usage, you can set the date of your monthly contract and how much data you get and it will measure your data usage each month so you know where you stand with your allowance. It's pretty accurate too but slightly more pessimistic than actual use from my experience. Always connecting to known wifi sources will also reduce your data consumption.
Thanks for the replies.
I found various data measurements, limits, warnings etc in the settings of the Pixel phone.
I have adjusted the settings accordingly.
The phone tells me I have used about a quarter of my allowance in a third of a month.
Three's website and app tell me that I haven't used any of my allowance for this month, but Three sent me a text a couple of days ago telling me I had used 80% of my allowance.
I am disappointed that Three:
1. Can't tell me how much of my allowance I've used.
2. Their own systems give two contradictory figures for my usage, neither of which are even close to being correct.
3. Can't manage to send me an emergency alert (along with a high proportion of other Three users).
4. Seem to have far weaker and more erratic signal than I expected, when I'm away from home.
5. If Three's systems sent out a message that I've currently used 80% of my allowance, will I be cut off in a few days time when I've used 20% more, just as I'm doing something important? I'm afraid to use my data.
My confidence in Three has gone and I don't want to be a customer. But I can't exit the contract until 2025 so I'm looking for a backup plan.
I found various data measurements, limits, warnings etc in the settings of the Pixel phone.
I have adjusted the settings accordingly.
The phone tells me I have used about a quarter of my allowance in a third of a month.
Three's website and app tell me that I haven't used any of my allowance for this month, but Three sent me a text a couple of days ago telling me I had used 80% of my allowance.
I am disappointed that Three:
1. Can't tell me how much of my allowance I've used.
2. Their own systems give two contradictory figures for my usage, neither of which are even close to being correct.
3. Can't manage to send me an emergency alert (along with a high proportion of other Three users).
4. Seem to have far weaker and more erratic signal than I expected, when I'm away from home.
5. If Three's systems sent out a message that I've currently used 80% of my allowance, will I be cut off in a few days time when I've used 20% more, just as I'm doing something important? I'm afraid to use my data.
My confidence in Three has gone and I don't want to be a customer. But I can't exit the contract until 2025 so I'm looking for a backup plan.
I've been with Three for years and on the whole they're pretty good and I have had some stupendous deals on SIM only (currently on a £9/month each unlimited everything "business" contract for the family on 5 SIM's).
They are pretty crap on data roaming control IME hence switching to the eSIMs when I'm abroad. I think part of my problem has been aircraft wifi connections hijacking my phone which are eye-wateringly expensive when routing stuff back through Three.
We also use annual Three data SIMs in my wife's business that doesn't have hard-wired internet access but I don't think they can be used in a phone, only a router.
They are pretty crap on data roaming control IME hence switching to the eSIMs when I'm abroad. I think part of my problem has been aircraft wifi connections hijacking my phone which are eye-wateringly expensive when routing stuff back through Three.
We also use annual Three data SIMs in my wife's business that doesn't have hard-wired internet access but I don't think they can be used in a phone, only a router.
Edited by Speed 3 on Wednesday 31st May 19:36
Thanks for the replies.
I searched hard and only found one company at present - Lyca Mobile - offering eSIM, PAYG, three-month expiry.
The cost of Lyca PAYG data seems to be extremely expensive (compared to a monthly contract) unless I have misread something.
I started a new topic about it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I searched hard and only found one company at present - Lyca Mobile - offering eSIM, PAYG, three-month expiry.
The cost of Lyca PAYG data seems to be extremely expensive (compared to a monthly contract) unless I have misread something.
I started a new topic about it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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