I am currently using PAYG Sainsburys mobile with an LG G3. I signed up when my O2 contract ended and they were offering 800mins / 5000txts / 2GB data for £15 for 3 months. This is coming to an end and I miss a contract of not needing to top up or being able to phone 0800 numbers!

 

Looking to go Sim Only and really spend £15 or less, 1GB min 2GB preferred and tethering allowed. Who do you use and how do you find the coverage and customer service?

Three.

 

200 mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G Data

4GB tethering allowance

0800/0845 numbers included in minutes allowance

 

£15 per month.

 

Coverage good. Not needed customer service yet. They were very good and helpful in the shop.

 

Phil

Can't speak on costs but just changed company phone from Vodafone to EE.

 

Much improved coverage etc.

Three.

 

200 mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G Data

4GB tethering allowance

0800/0845 numbers included in minutes allowance

 

£15 per month.

 

Coverage good. Not needed customer service yet. They were very good and helpful in the shop.

 

Phil

 

I did pop into 3 at lunch and spoke to a very nice girl called Mel. She gave me some information and was very helpful. I've ordered a free SIM to check coverage. No 4G network where I live yet. 

 

Can't speak on costs but just changed company phone from Vodafone to EE.

 

Much improved coverage etc.

 

I did consider EE (or BT / TPO) but they seem quite restrictive on tethering. I need to check for 4G coverage in our area. 

I changed recently to Tesco as they're about the only provider who offer you a proper cap on your bills - IE no service if you go over it. Since the law currently sides with the phone provider in you being responsible for any charges anyone runs up on your phone, even if stolen/lost, I consider this an important feature. Rest of the terms/minutes/texts/data was about the same as any other provider, so that's why they got my business.

I did pop into 3 at lunch and spoke to a very nice girl called Mel. She gave me some information and was very helpful. I've ordered a free SIM to check coverage. No 4G network where I live yet. 

 

 

I did consider EE (or BT / TPO) but they seem quite restrictive on tethering. I need to check for 4G coverage in our area. 

 

http://ee.co.uk/ee-and-me/network/4gee/coverage-checker

I'm wondering if doing a 1mth contract on ea may help to see if the reliability of the coverage. 

GiffGaff.

 

They are Pay as you go but you can set it up so the money comes out every month. They use o2s signal etc but just alot cheaper.

GiffGaff.

 

They are Pay as you go but you can set it up so the money comes out every month. They use o2s signal etc but just alot cheaper.

I use these. Pretty good. £10 per month for 500 minutes, unlimited text and 1gb of internet which is fine for me. Then a separate pay as you go top up on it for when I go abroad. On the £10 one they have tethering available too

I miss a contract of not needing to top up or being able to phone 0800 numbers

The law is changing, and from 1 July all 0800 numbers will be free from all mobile operators

I use these. Pretty good. £10 per month for 500 minutes, unlimited text and 1gb of internet which is fine for me. Then a separate pay as you go top up on it for when I go abroad. On the £10 one they have tethering available too

The 3g service on giffgaff has been poor for over a year now. When I've asked around other people have had similar experiences with other networks. Not having a 4g phone it's a right pain.

The 3g service on giffgaff has been poor for over a year now. When I've asked around other people have had similar experiences with other networks. Not having a 4g phone it's a right pain.

Yeah I think 4g is the only thing that tempts me with newer phones than my S3, but not enough to splash out on one. Maybe once this phone dies or I feel that I'd get an enormous upgrade, I'll change.

02 Sim only 12 month contract as I did not need a new phone when my original contract ended.

 

Unlimited any network calls ... unlimited texts ... 2Gb data and no problems tethering my iPad away from home ... 4G where available... £20 per month

 

I stayed with 02 as good coverage in my area of North East Wales ... 3 coverage is poor here, EE only a little better.  actually had good coverage wherever I am in the UK with 02.

 

My girlfriend lives in Newbury about 3 miles from Vodaphone HQ ... poor signal on her Vodaphone PAYG phone at her place ...

 

Alan.

Another vote for EE. Rarely have no signal or data slower than H, and fastest data I've seen.

Is tethering essential?

I use these. Pretty good. £10 per month for 500 minutes, unlimited text and 1gb of internet which is fine for me. Then a separate pay as you go top up on it for when I go abroad. On the £10 one they have tethering available too

On the same as yours but on 4G at £12 a month.

Personally I foubd Vodafone to have gone down hill and I changed to EE, and I always have signal apart from when I need to use my phone, I use a lot of data as well so I think I'll be going with 3 or o2 when my contract expires.

Tesco / O2 for me.

If you household utilities are due a change as well have a look at utility warehouse they offer a very competitive deal for gas elec home mobile and broadband

moneysupermarket shows a good deal for data only sims, but I cannot recognise the network! the symbol looks like a white P on a green background - anyone help me pls?

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mobile-phones/brands/sim-only/sim-card/

thanks

thanks Simbo - worth a look I think     :clap:

 or being able to phone 0800 numbers!

 

 

I got a letter from Sky the other day implying that new ofcom rules/regulations mean it will now be free to call 0800 from landlines and mobiles... (rather than it coming out of your inclusive minutes).

Thanks to everyones feedback! Such a large difference of responses. 

 

02 - used to be one there and the signal around the in-laws is sketchy at best and we've had poor reception in our house before

0800 numbers - Did not know so thanks for headsup

Utility warehouse - already with them will check (just checked and deals aren't that great if no home phone / DSL service :-( )

BT / TPO - don't allow tethering 

Tethering - Yes it is important to me as I use my tablet and phone for remote support. 

Three seems like it might be a favourite at the moment

Edited 30 April, 201511 yr by Nathanio

I used to be on a T-Mobile contract on the EE network.

 

Although coverage was good the data speeds were shocking.

 

The ping was all over the place and I could never get over 4mbps no matter where I was.

 

Tethering was also completely blocked.

 

Three coverage is very good and speeds are great.

 

I'm not currently using a 4G phone as it is broken but I've seen over 50mbps.

 

The 4GB tethering allowance per month is also very useful. I've used it several times for connecting to my work remote desktop via a citrix server and it worked very well.

 

Phil

Have to say I find EE to be pretty good other than one dead spot for calls on my route home - the data is seldom below H+ but that will depend on location (EE appears to be pretty good for 4G coverage).

 

Might switch depending on deals though - I bought my S4 when 4G was restricted to EE so I had the choice of EE (& 4G) or the rest (& no 4G). Now it is wide open I will have a look about. O2 is looking to be a contender with their Refresh scheme (with discount through my employer).

 

One bad thing about EE is the poor response with updates - I am still waiting for the lollipop 5.0 update on both my phones despite virtually every other manufacturer being on 5.02 or 5.1.

Thanks for the more info Phil!

 

Kilted - No worries on updates here from operators as using a SIM free LG G3 (still running KK though but rooted. Should really upgrade to Lollipop at some point. It's just working and very rarely get below 20% battery remain after a day)

Edited 30 April, 201511 yr by Nathanio