Best sim-only monthly deal for data?

kration · 3 Feb 2014 at 19:47

My T-Mobile/EE contract expires soon and unless they offer me something really spectacular I'm looking to replace my 'HTC Sensation' with an off-the-shelf 'Moto G' on a sim-only monthly deal.

I currently have a 750mb limit and push it pretty regularly even with careful use and wifi. I mainly use it for browsing, Ingress, Geocaching and listening to Google Music whilst driving.

So, what's the best monthly deal out there for data - ideally unlimited?

I've identified these two monthly contracts:

GiffGaff - £15 goodybag (unlimited data)
3 - £12.90 Ultimate Internet SIM 200 (unlimited data)

The thing putting me off '3' is I've heard some complaints about limited coverage. I live in the North East and travel in rural areas - T-Mobile/EE's coverage has been OK.

Any comments/advice?

Jamesbcd · 3 Feb 2014 at 19:51

I'll throw Ovivo into the mix.

kration · 3 Feb 2014 at 19:54

Jamesbcd said:
I'll throw Ovivo into the mix.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'd considered Ovivo but I'm not sure how long the business model will last.

What's coverage/speed like on Ovivo?

I think I'd be OK with it for a second phone but not as my main one (or am I being too paranoid?)

Broken Hope · 3 Feb 2014 at 20:23

Three and EE do mast sharing so coverage should be similar.

Could always grab a pay as you go sim and try it out.

Finners · 3 Feb 2014 at 20:26

virgin media VIP?

unlimited data but with a fair usage policy (think its a 1gb a day) on a rolling 30-day contract

£15 a month

http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/sim-only/pay-monthly-sim.html

Orcvader · 3 Feb 2014 at 20:44

kration said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I'd considered Ovivo but I'm not sure how long the business model will last.

What's coverage/speed like on Ovivo?

I think I'd be OK with it for a second phone but not as my main one (or am I being too paranoid?)

Ovivo has been around for quite a few years so it seems unlikely their monthly pricing will change. They use the Vodafone network so it will be the same coverage/speed as them. See if you have any friends on Vodafone to check how it is in your area.

giffgaff uses O2 so you will need to check their coverage in your area too.

Virgin uses EE's network so it will be the same as what you're getting now.

Really it's best to see who has the best coverage/speed in your area, and then go with them.

boliston · 3 Feb 2014 at 23:32

I use an EE payg sim and quite like the flexibility of it as there is no fixed monthly cost, you just buy data as and when you need it (bundles last 1 month, or till they are used up whichever is soonest):

1GB=£10
2GB=£15
4GB=£20
10GB=£30

I normally get 2gb bundles, but if I lived in a 4g area I'd probably get 4gb or 10gb!

You can also buy voice and text bundles but it's quite rare for me to ever use this as I use Zoiper (voip) most of the time when I'm in a 3G area which only costs a 1p/min to a landline, 6p/min to a mobile (3p weekends), and most people I text have google hangouts so my text costs are low.