Cheapest pay as you go data

Conrad11 · 10 Jan 2010 at 15:47

Hi there,

I am trying to get data for mobile phone and I want to know what the cheapest way to get it would be. It won't be used everyday and its just data that will be used (no calls or texts).

I'm assuming the cheapest way would be to get a mobile broadband stick and put the sim card in my phone (assuming you can do that)....but I heard that the topup expires and that you have to buy it "per month" whereas I'd prefer it per day or get MB of usage. Can you even do this and get away with it? It will occasionally be tethered as a modem for my PC.

Thanks.

SlyReaper · 10 Jan 2010 at 15:57

With my T-Mobile PAYG sim card, the maximum they charge for a day's data usage is a pound. I don't know if any other operators have a similar price capping thing.

Slinky1989 · 10 Jan 2010 at 16:09

SlyReaper said:
With my T-Mobile PAYG sim card, the maximum they charge for a day's data usage is a pound. I don't know if any other operators have a similar price capping thing.

Also, if you top up £10, from the first of the next month you get unlimited texts and internet free

firthy15 · 10 Jan 2010 at 16:14

"slinky" said:
Also, if you top up £10, from the first of the next month you get unlimited texts and internet free

So its all good then no secret con like if you use more than 1kb you get charged etc?

If its all dandy etc ill be buying a tmobile pulse and using that pay as you go thingy from them

Alan! · 10 Jan 2010 at 16:14

"slinky" said:
Also, if you top up £10, from the first of the next month you get unlimited texts and internet free

Is that across all the PAYG plans or one in particular?

Seft · 10 Jan 2010 at 19:39

Three PAYG offers 150mb with every top-up (minimum £5). It lasts for 90 days.

Conrad11 · 16 Jan 2010 at 01:14

Seft said:
Three PAYG offers 150mb with every top-up (minimum £5). It lasts for 90 days.

Looks like this will work ok. Do you know if they are bothered about tethering?

Seft · 16 Jan 2010 at 01:19

Conrad11 said:
Looks like this will work ok. Do you know if they are bothered about tethering?

I haven't had any problems with occasional usage on a contract phone.

Slinky1989 · 16 Jan 2010 at 01:33

firthy15 said:
So its all good then no secret con like if you use more than 1kb you get charged etc?

If its all dandy etc ill be buying a tmobile pulse and using that pay as you go thingy from them

No, no extra charges at all. There's a fair use policy of 1gb on mobiles and 2gb on PAYG mobile broadband, but if you go over that then you just get bandwidth restrictions at peak times (4pm - midnight), no charges

Alan! said:
Is that across all the PAYG plans or one in particular?

That's on Mates rates (the only payg plan that t-mobile now sell), it's been running since september last year, so if you got your sim card after then, you should be on it. Otherwise it's a case of going and picking up a free one.

alastair84 · 17 Jan 2010 at 22:16

google giffgaff. free internet for 6 months when u top up £10. im thinking about joining them.

Aod · 18 Jan 2010 at 06:37

Seft said:
Three PAYG offers 150mb with every top-up (minimum £5). It lasts for 90 days.

Conrad11 said:
Looks like this will work ok. Do you know if they are bothered about tethering?

this is what i use in my laptop for mobile internet - the thing's physically built into the laptop and they don't mind one bit.

best thing is, you top up the £5 or £10 or however much you want, and get the free 150MB, and then you can use the money you topped up by to buy 1GB of data for £10

Conrad11 · 18 Jan 2010 at 14:19

Aod said:
best thing is, you top up the £5 or £10 or however much you want, and get the free 150MB, and then you can use the money you topped up by to buy 1GB of data for £10

Can you actually buy a 1GB bundle for £10 on pay as you go?

How long does that 1GB last? 90days again?