The hotukdeals SIMO (Sim Only) Deals Megathread (Part 4)

Lyca mobile should not be on any responsible post or website. Do not go anywhere near them. They got hacked last week and are not letting customers have a PAC to switch out. I've got no service and can't get through to customer service. I've had the same number for 24 years and currently can't switch it to anyone else, just hoping they'll sort it out enough so I can switch. Learnt my lesson that not all deals are worth the saving.

o2 gave me 20Gb, unlimited call and text (who doesnt), which will double with VM Volt to 40Gb pm next week, 30 day rolling contract, £5.95pm.

The best thing to do is try them out and cancel within the cancellation period, I've unfortunately had to do this with every network

CMLink is totally fine honestly. Some scammers have got hold of the number prefix that CML give out to their customers and give a few Chinese language scam calls. But as soon as you port your own number in they all completely stop.

Very little data is processed by the Chinese. The customer service agents are in Hong Kong (and are really helpful plus speak perfect English) but the actual management system and even the APN you route data traffic through is all EE's own setup and is handled here in the UK.

I can totally see why some would not be happy to go with such a company. But just thought I would post some real world experience.

I asked Perplexity.ai Pro to fact check your comment:

"The statement "1p mobile, is actually just the same company as utility warehouse" is not entirely accurate. While both 1p Mobile and Utility Warehouse are part of the same parent company, Telecom Plus PLC, they operate as separate entities under this umbrella. Utility Warehouse, also branded as UW, provides a range of services including landline telephony, mobile telephony (as an MVNO on the EE network), broadband, gas, electricity, and home insurance. It also offers a pre-paid debit card which pays a "cashback" percentage on purchases1
. On the other hand, 1p Mobile is offered by Telecommunications Management Limited another subsidiary of Telecom Plus PLC. It provides flexible Pay As You Go plans with rates of 1p/minute, 1p/text, and 1p/MB. Customers get 4G & 5G coverage from EE2
. So, while both companies are part of the same parent company, they offer different services and operate under different names. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that 1p Mobile and Utility Warehouse are sister companies under the Telecom Plus PLC group, rather than being the same company." (edited)

On the live chat when you get to the main menu type “Agent” to get through to a human. I’ve found their twitter / X customer services more knowledgeable though.

Yeh, hackers got a lot of info too.

They’re a PAYG network aren’t they? That’s why I don’t bother moving my normal number to them

TalkMobile via USwitch is typically one of the best deals depending on how much data you need. They're a brand owned by the Vodafone network and include all the usual features like 5G, VoLTE, WiFi calling and free EU Roaming.

TalkMobile is owned by and uses Vodafone. Going via USwitch they have 21GB for £3.18/Month for the first 3 months and £7.95 Thereafter. 30 day rolling contract. And they have frozen their prices the last 3 years in a row so not likely to have an annual price increase.

If you absolutely must stay within the £5-7 budget then you’d be on EE’s network instead. Still doesn’t fit the budget perfectly but Lycamobile have 15GB for £1.99 for 3 months then £6.90 after or 21GB for £2.49 a month for 3 months then £7.45 thereafter. Again, 30 day rolling contracts sold via USwitch.

If porting out, a PAC waives the need for 30 days cancellation notice. Your number could port as early as next working day.

Only Vodafone customers can use VeryMe app, 3rd parties are different companies completely out of this benefit.

I don’t believe such a thing exists. Lebara possibly the closest you’ll get. I wouldn’t recommend Lyca as their systems are still down after two weeks of being cyberhacked and they won’t last long tbh

It will tell you at checkout. They're all contracts even if just 30 day rolling ones so have to make very clear what you're signing up to.

TalkMobile offer both 30 day and 12 month contracts so if you specifically want one or the other be sure to carefully check before you sign.

Ask for free roaming as otherwise it now costs extra

Two decent choices

hotukdeals.com/dea…562

hotukdeals.com/dea…397

Just get a free payg sim card and do it that way

If you're still in your cooling off period you could swap to Three's other brand - Smarty. Exact same signal. Exact same ownership. £12 a month for 100GB but 30 day rolling contract with no annual price increases AND free roaming included.

Three PAYG, o2 for Volt customers, and EE with a roaming pass are your only options.

Generally speaking it only makes sense to take one of these if you are going to be a regular visitor to the US though. Otherwise just pick up a Three PAYG SIM for the one time you are going - Or even better just get a local SIM when you arrive.

Just to note giffgaff have just started to offer esim

Voxi (on Vodafone) have new offer today of 60gb plus unlimited video, music and socíal media for £12 .monthly contract. I'm with them and can't fault them.

Lyca has been crippled by the cyberattack so don't expect their deals to come back for a while - if at all.

Lebara have 6 month deals on MSE right now which are valid until the end of this month.

Have you dropped down to 2G signal by any chance?

It would be worthwhile to check the EE checker and take a look to see if there are any known problems where you currently are. With the 3G Switch off EE are currently in the process of boosting weaker signal areas to get better 4G coverage to avoid black spots developing. It may be temporary work and a better 4G signal may launch in the coming days.

If not though, take a look on Uswitch at their exclusive TalkMobile deals. It's owned by Vodafone and has the same signal, customer service and network features like 5G, WiFi calling and such that you will have had with Vodafone directly, just as a lower price. They also have free EU Roaming included as well. If problems persist then TalkMobile is your best way of getting back to Vodafone without paying Vodafone prices.

Talk Home Mobile/Now Mobile and 1p Mobile have some of the most decent roaming prices I've found for PAYG. Or if the countries are covered, Three PAYG with Feel at Home but you could get blocked due to breaking fair use.

All the networks provide roaming in India but very expensive. But I think you mean free as part of the UK plan, then LEBARA is the only one( Fair Usage Policy) upto 12gb per month.

Daylight robbery that price...

You can usually negotiate the roaming pass into your deal if you really have to be on EE and manage a retention deal.

Link please 

1p Mobile do but you have to top up every few months to keep the account active. O2 Classic PAYG is 2p texts and doesn't expire as long as you do something with the credit once every 180 days which is probably the cheapest you'll get.

Yes, standard 14 days. But they're EE so check your coverage.

Your other option (better prices imo) is 1pMobile, also EE and full band coverage.

ID Mobile (Three network) Have 70GB for £10 on a 30 Day rolling contract.
Lycamobile (EE network) have 100GB for £10 on a 30 Day rolling plan.
Both include free 5G and EU Roaming.

For more than 50GB Data at less than £10 per month, and having to avoid Vodafone signal that's pretty much all I can think of.

For the sake of completeness, the cheapest option that uses O2 Signal is O2 Themselves via Uswitch. 50GB for £12 - Unless you happen to have Virgin Media broadband at home. Then you could take advantage of Volt to get 60GB for £10.

I would still avoid 

TNT sports is mobile only?