INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: TheIndianSubcontinent News AgencySo you've come to the end of your phone contract You basically have two options - grab a brand new
mobile phone deal on one of the latest and greatest smartphones on the market
Or keep your beloved phone of the last two years and sign up for one of the cheap SIM only deals on this page.A SIM only deal is a mobile
phone plan that offers calls, texts and data in return for a monthly fee, but does not come bundled with a phone
Leaving the phone out of the equation gives you more flexibility (especially if you go for a 30-day rolling contract) or is ideal if you're
eyeing up a new SIM-free phone.If you take a sift through our handy price comparison tool above you'll see that 12-month prices start from a
Whatever your needs, going SIM only is just the ticket if you're thinking to team one up with a brilliant budget handset purchase.And if
you're still unsure whether SIM-only is the route for you, our expert advice will help you decide - our all knowing FAQ includes tips on
switching your number, the networks that offer free gifts and answers to a host of other questions.Top 10 best SIM only deals of the week
are:We've run the figures and plucked out the very best sim only deals available this month
is the cheapest readily available SIM only deal currently available in the UK
If you just need to keep a phone up and running for occasional use, this is the least you can pay
You'd be advised to either keep mobile data switched off or be careful what apps are updating in the background
But to be honest, we think the next deal is better valueView this SIM only deal at iD/Carphone Warehouse2
often among our favourites, and this is no different
We're a little disappointed that its promotional 2.25GB tariff at the same price has now been removed, but this SIM plan remains one of the
most impressive around at the moment
A few quid more gets you way more data though, so you keep scrolling down if you're worried that 1GB won't quite be enough for your web
surfing, WhatsApping, Google Mapping needs.View this SIM only deal at iD/Carphone Warehouse3
with a new Basics SIMO plan with great value its number one priority
It's one of the cheapest SIM ponly deals available right now, but on one of the major networks
EE, O2 and Three can't get close to matching this kind of monthly price
But unlike most other Vodafone pay monthly plans, global roaming is not included on this deal.Get this Vodafone Basics Plan SIM only deal4
If you're prone to viewing a few YouTube videos and streaming some Spotify songs away from Wi-Fi, then a 5GB option may suit you better than
ID's lower data SIMs above
A tenner a month for this amount of data really is excellent, cponsidering you don't have to faff around with any cashback or voucher
codes.Get this Vodafone Basics Plan SIM only deal5
most popular on the market at the moment, and it's easy to see why
This deal hits the sweet spot between plenty of data for surfing and streaming, and extremely reasonable monthly bills
One of our go-to SIMO deals.View this Three SIM only deal directly from Three6
monthNetflix marathons, epic Pokemon Go quests, constant Spotify tunes, this all you can eat data bundle is ideal for the serious mobile
user who never needs to worry about poxy thing like data allowances or wi-fi
unlimited data Three deal direct from the network7
In fact, they're usually more expensive than the likes of Three and Vodafone
But we know that people crave the network's rapid 4G speeds, so we feel it's our duty (dammit) to tell you the best value EE SIM only deal
But if it's the best value you need, then do consider other networks first.Get this EE SIM only deal from Carphone Warehouse8
data deals and its exceptional 30GB data deal won the Deal of the Year award at the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards 2017 thanks to the sheer
And the news keeps getting better - the 600 minutes of calls cap has been removed
The only fly in the ointment is that this used to be even cheaper.View this30GB 3 Mobile SIM only deal9
not cheap when it comes to SIM only deals
We don't know why, but the network has never joined the ever more popular party
But we know that some of you will have used O2 all your life and won't want to look elsewhere
If you're in that number, then this is probably the best O2 SIM only plan to choose
with Netflix, iPlayer and Amazon Video while out and about, then this Three data only deal could be a suitable option
More than a normal SIM, but the best value we can find for using data on an iPad or other tablet.View this data only SIM deal from
ThreeShould I go SIM onlyIf you a) want to save some money; b) don't want to be tied into a lengthy contract; or c) both of the above, then
SIM only is well worth considering
In fact, you're probably one of two people if your thoughts are indeed turning to SIM only:You're coming to the end of your contract and
your network is calling you a million times a day to get you to upgrade
Well if your phone is dying a death or you just fancy a change, head to our best mobile phones deal page to see what bargains are lurking,
but otherwise going SIM only on your current phone is a no-brainer
You'll wind up paying much less than you are under contract, and you can stick to a rolling 30 day contract so that if your circumstances
change, you can get out of the arrangement tout suite.It's time for a shiny new smartphone and you want to get the best value humanly
You'll have to find a few hundred quid up front for the handset (be sure to check our SIM free comparison chart) but box clever and you'll
end up paying less over the next 24 months (see below)
Plus, if you're a commitment-phobe, most SIM-only plans don't require you to sign up for two years like you would with a normal contract.Is
SIM only cheaper than contractIt can be
Teaming a SIM only plan with a standalone SIM-free handset could save you a few quid
It's usually the case when a flagship phone hits the market and contracts are made deliberately expensive
and slipping in a cheap SIM card.Not all the savings you can make are as extravagant, and on big data it's frequently more cost effective to
dive into a contract instead
But if you can afford to splash a few hundred pounds up front then the savings over the next couple of years could well be worth it.Is my
phone unlocked - can I use a new SIM in itThe times have passed since most phones were locked to a network and you had to pay a dodgy
backstreet 'engineer' to unlock it
Nowadays, it's standard practice for networks to let you use whatever SIM you want in the phone as soon as you've paid up the original
contract (or earlier if you pay them a fee) - and Three ships all its handsets unlocked from the outset.The exception, alas, is Apple
They're generally sold locked to the original network that you purchase them with for the life of the handset
Very frustrating if you're looking for a tasty SIM only deal once your 24 month sentence is up.The good news is that your iPhone (or any
other mobile before the end of your contract) can be unlocked - the bad news is that most networks make you pay for the privilege
Insert a friend or family member's SIM into your phone to see whether it's already unlocked and, if it isn't, look for your network below to
It says it will take around 10 days to complete
PAYG phones can be unlocked for free.O2 As long as you don't own an iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus (they can't be
unlocked until you've paid off your contract), you can unlock any O2 phone - including iPhones - for free if you're on a pay monthly
Shove whatever SIM you like in there, it will work a treat.Vodafone The red network doesn't quite get the same marks as Three, as your phone
will be locked to them on arrival
But they have made unlocking handsets absolutely free within 10 days of your request.What SIM card size do I needThere are three sizes of
SIM card that you can get for your phone, and the one you need will depend on your handset
It's been a while since the traditional, so-called standard SIM (15x25mm) has genuinely been the staple in new phones
Instead, any phone you've bought within the last five or so years is much more likely to require a micro (12x15mm) or nano (8.8x12.3mm) SIM
- the iPhone 5 was Apple's first mobile with a nano SIM, while Samsung began using the smallest size in its Galaxy S6.Before you purchase
your new SIM, double-check the manufacturer's website to see what size you require
And if you're simply not sure, most networks now simply send out a triple SIM, so you'll get one of each size.How do I keep my old
numberEver heard of PAC codes and wondered what a classic 80s arcade game had to do with telephone numbers It actually stands for Porting
Authorisation Code, and it's the set of digits that you need to grab from your old network to let you transfer over your existing mobile
If you're on one of the major networks, you can see what phone number you can contact them on here:EE 07953 966 250O2 0344 8090202Vodafone
03333 040 191Three 0333 300 3333ID 0333 003 7777GiffGaff 43431 from your handsetVirgin 0345 6000 789BT 0800 800 150Tesco 0345 301 4455Sky
03300 412 524Asda 0800 079 2732If you want to grab a bargain SIM only plan above, but it's on your existing network then your network won't
release a PAC code and you'll be forced to take a new phone number.At least you would have, if it wasn't for this clever (if convoluted)
You have to order a free pay-as-you-go SIM from another network
Once you have it, you can tell your old network that you're moving and they'll give you that precious PAC code
Then, once your number is registered to the substitute network, simply get another PAC code from them
Take that to your old network, and they'll move your number to your new contract
Simple - kind of!What contract length should I getUnlike with a contract, there's a lot more flexibility available when it comes to how long
your SIM only plan will last
Two year commitments are virtually unheard of, with the norm being either one year or rolling one month contracts for ultimate flexibility
You can often get better prices if you tie yourself in for 12 months, especially on larger data tariffs
But sticking to one month at a time means that you can effectively hand pick a new plan to suit you every 30 days or so.How much data do I
needBecause you can change your plan up more regularly than a normal, lengthier contract, it's less crucial to get this nailed from the
But if you're thinking of grabbing a 12-monther or just put a personal pride on getting things right first time, then we'll help you pick
out the sweet spot of data for you.Firstly, check your phone to see how much data you've been using to date, and whether you have the
tendency to use more than your current allowance every month
If you're putting it in a rarely used phone that will scarcely be away from wi-fi then you're quids in
But if you end up with one because your head's turned by the incredible price, then you could end up paying more if you continually go over
your allowance.2-3GB For anybody who needs data for little more than the occasional Google Maps route planning, 2GB and 3GB plans come cheap
and give you much more freedom to check the football scores and scroll Facebook away from the wi-fi without danger.4-8GB If you can't leave
the house without having a music streaming service like Spotify pouring into your ears, then it might be worth paying for some extra GBs of
data.10-16GB This is a significant amount of data and some networks offer it for a very appetising price
Whether streaming music, downloading podcasts, watching social media videos, or all three is your thing - you should be covered.20-30GB Only
smartphone junkies that need regular (and hefty) data fixes need bother with this avalanche of GBs
You'll be able to rinse Netflix, Spotify and online games without too much fear of topping out.Unlimited Maybe it's because you use
remarkable amounts of data
Maybe it's because you simply don't want to keep checking how much data you've used every month
Whatever your reason to go unlimited, you have only two choices when it comes to network: Three or GiffGaff.Do I need unlimited calls and
textsCall it practicality, call it greediness, call it what you want - it's human nature to want 'unlimited' anything if offered
But you should think genuinely about whether you really need it in a world where the likes of WhatsApp and Skype let you call and text for
If you decide that a few thousand monthly minutes and texts should do you, then you could shave off some cash from your bill.What's the best
mobile network for SIM onlyWhile EE, O2, Vodafone and Three are generally considered the major four networks for contract plans, when it
comes to SIM only there are some other key players are well worth a look
See what we think of them below, and whether you'll get any free perks to help persuade you to sign up
Plus, we'll tell you about a couple of other SIM sellers that might be able to wrangle you an even better deal.EE SIM only dealsIf you want
fast and furious 4G, then your choice has to be an EE SIM only deal
Its speeds are around 50% faster than the other major networks, which is really noticeable if you like watching films or football on the
claim for your contract is with its Priority rewards - from cheap lunch deals and pre-order privileges on gig tickets, to ad-hoc discounts
Plus, they have 1000s of Wi-Fi hotspots in shops and cafes that you can connect to for free and save your precious data.View allO2 SIM only
Look out for a Red Entertainment tariff, which gives you your choice of a NOW TV Entertainment Pass, Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile
features unbeatable deals on other big data plans - that makes them a natural choice of many a data hungry smartphone addict
And it has has just started getting generous with perks - you can get cheap dinners and free coffees through its Wuntu app.View all3 mobile
That's unless you're already a BT broadband customer, in which case you get some really favourable prices - a fiver less than the rest of
Plus, you usually get a BT Reward Card with the majority of plans that can be spent anywhere that accepts Mastercard, the value of which
depends on how much data you're in for.Check below to see the current prices plans and what value Reward Card you can claim when you sign
up.For existing BT Broadband customers(click the customer option at the top if the prices are more expensive)12 months | 500MB data |
if bargain basement prices are what you covet most
This is a network run and owned by Carphone Warehouse - it piggybacks on the Three network
It's an excellent option if you want great value on a rolling monthly contract.View all iD SIM only dealsgiffgaff SIM only dealsGiffGaff
regularly offers some of the cheapest SIMO deals out there
They don't give you much of a data allowance to play with, but if you just want to keep your phone going and available to use for calls and
texts with the occasional bit of internet use outside of your home Wi-Fi, GiffGaff is a strong offering
Look out for the TCs though as some of the big data deals throttle the speed after a few gig.View all giffgaff SIM only dealsVirgin Mobile
SIM only dealsVirgin Mobile has been going for a long time, and some of its SIM only deals are particularly attractive
They're all one-month rolling contracts, so you can stop paying at any time if you so wish, giving you flexibility if you want to change
your plan or go for a phone-inclusive deal down the line.View all Virgin Mobile SIM only dealsTesco Mobile SIM only dealsThe UK's biggest
supermarket has been known to offer competitive - if not stellar - SIM only deals, with low data prices starting at not much more than a
have to see adverts every time you unlock your handset.View all Tesco Mobile SIM only dealsPlusnet SIM only dealsPlusnet might be more well
known for its broadband deals these days
but it's also keen to push some very cheap 30-day SIM only deals
You don't have to worry about signal either as Plusnet uses EE's network that covers 99% of the UK
Pop SIM only dealsFreedom Pop is trying something new - offering contracts for FREE
The catch being that you only pay if you do over the allowances of your bundle or opt for a larger deal
The prices for doing so vary, so be sure to take a look at the small print
It seems that they feature a different offer each week, but seeing as you can cancel at any time, they may be worth a look.View allFreedom
Pop SIM only dealsMobiles.co.uk SIM only dealsIt's always worth checking out Mobiles.co.uk before settling on your SIM - its aggressive
price cuts are often unmatched by anyone else
While the online retailer is known more for its handset contracts, it also offers a wide range of SIM only deals from all your favourite
networks.View: SIM only deals at Mobiles.co.ukCarphone Warehouse SIM only dealsCarphone Warehouse doesn't just sell handset contracts
as half price fees for six months, free Beats by Dre headphones or Currys vouchers - so check out what's available right now.View
allCarphone Warehouse SIM only dealsWhich networks have coverage in my areaIt's one of life's (many) little frustrations - you sign up with
a network, get your SIM up and running and then discover that you get no coverage at all in your house
Well this little pain in the neck can be avoided by using the dedicated coverage checker that most networks provide
Enter your postcode and you'll see whether your address has 2G (calls, texts and email), 3G (the basics plus picture messaging and faster
web browsing) and 4G (all the powers of 3G, plus faster downloads, online gaming and media streaming) coverage.We've provided links below to
all the available coverage checkers on multiple networks
We'd advise not only checking coverage in your home, but also work, school, uni, favourite pubs and so on
Anywhere where you spend time on a regular basis really.How does TechRadar make money from SIM only dealsIf you buy a phone after visiting
this page, TechRadar will be paid a small commission by the network or reseller you buy from
This money is paid by the site you buy from and thus does not affect the amount you pay for your phone contract
If you go direct to the site you buy from, you would pay the same amount.While some sites out there will be paid larger fees for pushing
people to specific deals that aren't necessarily the cheapest, TechRadar will always find you the absolute best value
this page are checked every day to make sure they're still available and up to date! If you're ready to go SIM only, then head back to the
top of this page and use our tool to find the perfect planro6kCGjEPmsUeonMX8aGXB.jpg#
