SIM Only Faqs

SIM Only Faqs

We have created this page to help answer any questions you might have when looking to take out / upgrade to a SIM only deal. Listed below is a mixture of the most popular emails and questions that we get from people looking for more detailed information. We aim to keep this part of the site updated as facts can and do change. If you have any questions or comments please get in touch using the details below.

	How am i billed?
	Billing is undertaken in the exact same way as any contract mobile phone package. Each month you will recieve a paper bill through the post (unless you opt for paperless billing) this statement will show what you have used and the total including VAT. Payment is then collected using Direct debit, however all the networks offer other payment methods & these can be seen when you sign up.

	Why do most SIM only deals have no contract?
	Because sim only mobile plans dont include a new handset, the networks dont need to tie you to a long contract that can range from 12 months to 3 years. This means if you need to cancel or quite simply you have found a better deal on another network all you have to do is give 30 days notice and that frees you from any further bills.

	Will i be credit checked?
	Like all pay monthly mobile applications they will run a quick credit check. This is quite normal & companies perform them all the time, it's just like an added bit of security for them. The good news is because sim only does not include a long contract or handset, alot more people tend to pass these checks. If you do fail, the network will contact you to work out a solution.

	How long does delivery & setup take?
	From the time of ordering to getting fully set up takes around 2 days. However when one of the team here placed an order at around mid morning they received the sim & welcome pack the very next day.

Are there any disadvantages?

The only thing that could be seen as not good is the fact you don't get a new handset. However when you look at the savings you make for example over a 24 month contract (thats 2 years if you think of it another way!) the amount of money saved allows you to buy a handset yourself, also know as a sim free mobile & you will still have spare money left over! Plus the best thing is at the end of the day you are still not tied to any contract. So when the numbers are crunched there really is no cons to sim only, only plus points!

	Once signed up can i switch to a different plan?
	The simple answer is yes! Because you are not tied in to any contract you can upgrade / downgrade your plan at anytime. The quickest way to do this is to call your customer services or if you have an online account you may be able to change your plan this way. This gives you total flexablity meaning you can be on the best value price plan that suits your needs.

When looking at the plans are things really unlimited?

Like most things that are stated as unlimited it normally means within a fair usage policy. Unlimited text messages for example are normally capped at 3000 per month. This limit has been set by the networks after working out that almost every customer never goes over this number. At all times plans will state if any unlimited offer has a fair usage policy so you can make up your own mind if it's ideal.

	Can i port / transfer my existing number to a SIM only plan?
	Yes! All you need to do is contact your current network and ask them for something called a Porting Authorisation Code, known as a PAC code. You then simply supply this number to your new network & they then complete the last steps to transfering your current number.

Can SIM only contracts be used when abroad?

Yes. As long as the country / location you are visiting has a mobile network & transmitters in the same area you are staying. If you call your mobile network customer services number they will be able to confirm the locations & call prices in the area you are staying. Please note that all networks will need you to call and activate roaming at least 24 hours before you leave the UK. This is free & needs to be done to ensure that your phone will work while you are abroad.

Will my mobile handset work with a new SIM card?

The best test for this is to pop your new network sim into the phone and it will either load up as normal, or state that it's blocked. To get your mobile unlocked you simply need to call the network the phone used to be on. They may charge a small fee for this. It's worth noting that if you are using a phone that was on the same network you are moving to, your new sim will work without any problems.

	What happens if i go over my free minutes or texts?
	You will then be charged at the normal rate for all services. A full breakdown of prices will be shown on the sign up page of the plan you are registering to. A quick tip; In the long run it might be worth upgrading to a higher spec price plan. For a few extra pounds you will get alot more included each month & the savings will really add up.

	Am i charged any setup or joining fees?
	The good news is no. The network you sign up to will also send your new sim card for free. The only fees you will ever have to pay is the monthly line rental and for any calls or texts if you go over your allocated amount.

SIM only deals and the Apple iPhone.

Now that O2 no longer has the exclusive rights over the iPhone and users with older versions are near or out of the original contract, the market for iPhone sim only contracts is starting to become big business. The good news is we have updated our site and now have a dedicated section with full details on how you can change price plans and even network to get a better deal. Full details and latest prices that include everything that is included can be seen on our iPhone SIM only plans page.

	VAT increase - are prices effected?
	The start of 2011 kicks off too a great start as the UK Government is putting up VAT to 20% At this moment in time we have had confirmation from a couple of the networks (others still waitiing to confirm) saying they will be raising prices to cover the costs. We will be updating our entire site on the 4th January 2011 with any new prices, so you can see the correct costs before signing up.


£10	£15	£20	£25	£30	£35


Vodafone	Orange	O2	T-Mobile	Three	Virgin	Tesco Mobile