PAYG Sim card to keep alive permanently via PC/remotely?

[cRaigAl205]

Evenin'

A quick question - I have a GPS tracker in my "classic" car, mainly for my peace of mind. It's obviously (fairly) well hidden behind trim, so, while it has a 12v power source that's live as long as there is a battery in the car, in addition to its own little battery, I've had quite a few challenges keeping a live/activated SIM card in it. I haven't any interest in the minutes or texts, it only needs a data supply. Most SIMs/"contracts" I've experimented with over the years require regular use/activity or a regular top-up to keep them connected. Are there any that don't (I assume not..) or are there any that I can monitor via a PC login and send messages and/or top it up as required?
Or is it preferable to stump up for the cheapest possible SIM only rolling contract?

This seems pretty ideal?

Linky

Ta!
Craig

[Condi]

I got a PAYG Giff Gaff sim card for a similar application. From memory it was one of the few which didn't need much use and had no limit on how long the data lasted. It has an auto-top of when the credit reaches £2 and I think it uses about £1 per month, although I can never work out where it goes. Suspect it takes some money just to remain active. "Billed" or itemised usage is pretty much non existent.

If you look on Amazon you can probably find SIM cards which are more suitable, eg will connect to whatever network is the strongest which might be useful for something mobile. Expect to pay more, the SIM which came with my alarm was about £3/m for that sort of service, but my alarm is on the house and EE signal is good here so I swapped it for a cheaper one.

It's been running for about 18m, maybe nearer 2 years, and is still active.


EDIT - just checked and the SIM expires after 6 months if it is not used. Mine appears to use about 1p of data per month, so maybe you can program the alarm to do a little heartbeat test one a month to use a little bit of data. Either that or you need to take the SIM out, put it in a phone, and then put it back in the car. I would expect the alarm to use some data, somewhere, though.

Edited by Condi on Tuesday 3rd September 21:51

[hellorent]

A lot of people use these in trackers/alarms: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224003192819?_nkw=o2+32...

[cRaigAl205]

Condi said:

EDIT - just checked and the SIM expires after 6 months if it is not used. Mine appears to use about 1p of data per month, so maybe you can program the alarm to do a little heartbeat test one a month to use a little bit of data. Either that or you need to take the SIM out, put it in a phone, and then put it back in the car. I would expect the alarm to use some data, somewhere, though.

Edited by Condi on Tuesday 3rd September 21:51

Yep, that's the bit I'm trying to avoid, as the interior trim on said car (Face it, it's an early 90s peugeot... ) is somewhat brittle and not that easy to remove and refit without risking breaking!

Aha! I thought I'd check the company that I originally bought it from, they are still going, and have matured their offering- they now do a wholly integrated tracking solution with an app (their DIY installation instructions show it stuck to the battery) which isn't very discrete of course, but there's no reason why I couldn't supply it with 12v and hide it "somewhere" in the car and take out a rolling monthly subscription for a comparable price to a rolling SIM contract..!

https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/gps-tracker-car-tracking-devices

hellorent said:

A lot of people use these in trackers/alarms: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224003192819?_nkw=o2+32...

Thanks for the heads up! I'll certainly keep it in mind for future tracking needs! I do seem to have a penchant for buying grossly insecure cars...

[mcflurry]

How about something like one of these?

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/data-only/5-ye...
https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/data-only/1-ye...

[gotoPzero]

I use giff gaff free sim in my alarm

Here is what they say

When is a SIM card considered inactive?
A SIM card is deactivated when it has not been used in the last 6 months. To stop deactivation do any one of the following actions at least once every 6 months:

Make at least one call, SMS or MMS to another number (not including calls to emergency services or Member Services or 0800 numbers or texts/calls to free rated numbers);
Make at least one connection to the internet using your mobile data
Make at least one Airtime Credit or plan purchase
These conditions are present to prevent the deactivation of members SIMs who have very little activity or who are active on the Community without using their SIM card much.

If your SIM card is disconnected, you will lose any remaining Airtime Credit and/or goodybag balances and also the phone number on your account.

giffgaff recycles phone numbers and we will not be able to reconnect once your number is disconnected and recycled.

giffgaff may reconnect you if any disconnection was due to our negligence.