Buying a Prepaid Sim Card for the UK in 2024
To buy a prepaid SIM card for the UK in 2024, follow these steps:
- Choose a Provider: Research major providers like EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three for coverage and pricing.
- Visit a Store or Order Online: Locate a provider’s store or order a SIM card online through their website.
- Select Your Plan: Choose a prepaid plan based on your data, talk, and text needs. Plans may offer varying data allowances and international calling options.
- Provide Identification: When purchasing in-store, bring a valid ID (passport, driver’s license) for verification. Online purchases may require similar identification during the registration process.
- Insert SIM Card: Once you have the SIM card, insert it into your unlocked phone. Follow the provider’s instructions for activation.
- Top Up Your Account: Add credit to your account by purchasing a top-up voucher or using online payment methods. This ensures you have funds for data, calls, and texts.
- Manage Your Account: Monitor your usage, check balance, and manage your account through the provider’s app or online portal.
- Optional Add-Ons: Providers often offer additional services or add-ons, such as international roaming, extra data, or entertainment packages. Explore these options if needed.
- Expiration and Renewal: Be aware of your plan’s expiration date and renewal conditions. Some plans may require regular top-ups to remain active.
- Consider Phone Compatibility: Ensure your phone is compatible with UK network frequencies. Most modern smartphones are, but it’s essential to confirm for a seamless experience.
Do UK prepaid sim cards allow free EU roaming?
As of October 2023, only two major UK mobile carriers offer free EU roaming on their prepaid sim cards: EE and Three. Vodafone UK does not offer free EU roaming on any of its prepaid plans, and O2 only offers it on a limited number of plans.
Here is a table summarizing the EU roaming policies of the major UK mobile carriers:
| Carrier | Free EU roaming on prepaid plans? |
|---|---|
| EE | Yes |
| Three | Yes |
| Vodafone UK | No |
| O2 | Only on some plans |
If you are planning to travel to Europe and want to use your UK prepaid sim card, you should check with your carrier to see if they offer free EU roaming on your plan. If they do not, you will need to purchase a roaming add-on or pay roaming charges.
Here are some additional details about EU roaming on UK prepaid sim cards:
- Free EU roaming typically includes unlimited data, calls, and texts within the EU.
- There may be a limit to the amount of data you can use while roaming.
- Roaming speeds may be slower than in the UK.
- You may be able to purchase roaming add-ons for additional data, calls, or texts.
United Kingdom Updated Internet Packages & Data Plans
| Serial | Sim Card Name | Package Details | Price |
| 1. | Go Card O2 | Data – 5GB Calls – 50 CZK SMS – 50 CZK Credit Validity – 30 days | $24.90 |
| 2. | PAYG AIO15 Three UK | Data- 10GB* Calls- Unlimited SMS- Unlimited Credit Validity- 30 days | $29.90 |
| 3. | Holiday Zen Orange | Data- 8GB Calls- Unlimited SMS- Unlimited Credit Validity- 14 days | $29.90 |
| 4. | PAYG AIO20 Three UK | Data- 12GB Calls- Unlimited SMS- Unlimited Credit Validity- 30 Days | $39.90 |
| 5. | Holiday Europe Orange | Data- 20GB Calls- Unlimited SMS- Unlimited Credit Validity- 14 Days | $49.90 |
| 6. | Holiday World Orange | Data- 10GB Calls- Not Included SMS- Not Included Credit Validity- 14 Days | $49.90 |
| 7. | PAYG MBB 12GB Three UK | Data- 12GB Calls- Not included SMS- Not included Credit Validity- 1 Year | $59.90 |
3 (= Three) UK Data Packages
| internet daily pass: 120 MB for 24 hours: £0.50 (in practice until the end of the next day) |
| mobile internet pass: 500 MB for 30 days: £5 |
| all-in-one-10: 2 GB for 30 days at £10 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
| all-in-one-15: 5 GB for 30 days at £15 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
| all-in-one-20: 12 GB for 30 days at £20 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
| all-in-one-25: 36 GB (up to 15 GB in EU roaming and a surcharge of 0.5p/MB applies beyond) for 30 days at £25 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
| all-in-one-35: unlimited data (1 TB FUP applies in the UK only, 15 GB in EU roaming and a surcharge of 0.5p/MB applies beyond) for 30 days at £35 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
| all-in-one-90: unlimited data (1 TB FUP applies in the UK only, 15 GB in EU roaming per 30 days and a surcharge of 0.5p/MB applies beyond) for 90 days at £90 (with unlimited domestic calls & texts) |
Giffgaff Data Packages
| Price | Calls* | Texts | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5 | 150 min | 500 | 500 MB |
| £7.50 | 250 min | unlimited | 2 GB |
| £10 | 500 min | unlimited | 3 GB |
| £12 | 750 min | unlimited | 4 GB |
| £15 | 1000 min | unlimited | 8 GB |
| £20 | unlimited | unlimited | 40 GB |
| £25 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited ^ |
Virgin Mobile Data Packages
| Price | Data | Voice | Texts | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £10 | 2 GB | 500 mins | 500 SMS | JAM 10 |
| £15 | 6 GB | 1000 mins | 1000 SMS | JAM 15 |
| £20 | 10 GB | 2000 mins | 2000 SMS | JAM 20 |
Lebara Data Packages
| 500 MB (no EU cap): £5, activation: ‘WEB500’ |
| 1 GB (no EU cap): £7.50, activation: ‘WEB1GB’ |
| 2 GB: £10, activation: ‘WEB2GB’ |
Lycamobile Data Packages
| 500 MB: £5, activation:*139*5001# |
| 1 GB: £7.50, activation: *139*7001# |
| 2 GB: £10, activation: *139*1001# |
| 3 GB: £12.50, activation: *139*1201# |
Vectone Mobile Data Packages
| Price | Data | Calls | Texts | IDD calls | Tethering | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £5 | 3 GB | 150 mins | 150 SMS | n/a | – | *1006# |
| £7.50* | 5 GB | 350 mins | 350 SMS | n/a | 500 MB | *1208# |
| £10 | 5 GB | unlimited | unlimited | 100 mins | 3 GB | *1337# |
| £15* | 20 GB | unlimited | unlimited | 100 mins | – | *1001# |
| £20* | 30 GB | unlimited | unlimited | 200 mins | 5 GB | *2288# |
| £25* | 50 GB | unlimited | unlimited | 250 mins | 6 GB | *1098# |
CTExcel Data Packages
| For The UK Cool Play SIM Card:
|
| £5: 600 MB data, text DA5 to 888 to activate |
| £7.50: 200 minutes, unlimited text, 800 MB data, text UN75 to 888 to activate |
| £9.90: 250 minutes, unlimited text, 3 GB data, text UN99 to 888 to activate |
| £11.90: 1000 minutes, unlimited text, 4 GB data, text UN119 to 888 to activate |
| £14.90: 1000 minutes, unlimited text, 6 GB data, text UN149 to 888 to activate |
| £19.90: unlimited talk/text and 8 GB data, text UN199 to 888 to activate |
| For The Chinese/UK Dual SIM Card:
|
| £9.60: 300 minutes, 300 mins to China/HK/Macao, unlimited text, 1 GB data, |
| £14.60: 600 minutes, 600 mins to China/HK/Macao unlimited text, 4 GB data |
| £18.60: 1000 minutes, 1000 mins to China/HK/Macao, unlimited text, 6 GB data |
References:
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/997904/most-common-mobile-data-plans-in-the-uk
https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/unlimited-data
Hello, I’m Herman C. Miller, the founder of InternetPKG.com, your ultimate destination for all things Mobile Internet and Telecommunication Services. With a BSc in Telecommunication Services and over 6 years at AT&T, my passion for the industry led to this platform. At InternetPKG.com, we prioritize keeping you informed with the latest package offers, ensuring our content stays current. Our team, including a dedicated Internet Package and Mobile Data Plans Researcher, tirelessly researches emerging trends, identifies market opportunities, and provides expert product recommendations.