UK SIM cards

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busissi

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Beware of newish provider Lebarer. Can't top up on line unless you have credit card with UK billing address, can't even use Lloyds credit card! Sold a pup by salesman.
 
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This is a common issue with UK sim cards. O2, Three and others also have the same issue. However, there are often ways of topping up without a credit card. (eg topups are available at some ATMS, in store at some grocery chains etc etc)

Supposedly you can top up through a Lebarer retailer, but I've never tried and use different carriers.
 
That is the same with most pre paid mobile phone service world wide.

OS visitors in Aust can not top up there mobiles with a foreign CC here.
 
Lebara is huge in India.

The carrier they use in Aust is Voda
 
busissi said:
Beware of newish provider Lebarer. Can't top up on line unless you have credit card with UK billing address, can't even use Lloyds credit card! Sold a pup by salesman.
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Lebara are not new, they've been around a very long time. You most certainly can top them up with a non-UK address, but it depends where you bought your Lebara SIM (They are global and have different SIM's in different markets). I think we need a little more information here :)
 
Mal said:
This is a common issue with UK sim cards. O2, Three and others also have the same issue. However, there are often ways of topping up without a credit card. (eg topups are available at some ATMS, in store at some grocery chains etc etc)

Supposedly you can top up through a Lebarer retailer, but I've never tried and use different carriers.
Click to expand...
Fortunately, Giff Gaff accept AU cards, no issues ;)

Lebara also do voucher top-ups as you say yes.
 
Took advice from rep re online topups, my mistake. Yes can buy vouchers at Post Offices etc but had to pay cash and also find time to buy. BTW Not all SIMs are the same in UK as I now know!
 
Another interesting point about Prepaid cards in the UK (Both mobile and data) ... by default they have "adult content blocking" switched on. And it covers quite a few strange areas - not just the usual "cough" sites. For example, I was unable to get to The Smoking Gun: Public Documents, Mug Shots via Three.

To unlock, you either need a UK based Credit (not debit) card, or rock up into a store and ask them to remove the block.

Ahh fun times!
 
I tried to top up my Vodafone UK SIM Card today from my phone and can't do it without a UK address. Can't get to a Vodafone store for a couple of days. Also the Vodafone UK data pack for the iPads has been almost useless
 
ALH said:
I tried to top up my Vodafone UK SIM Card today from my phone and can't do it without a UK address. Can't get to a Vodafone store for a couple of days. Also the Vodafone UK data pack for the iPads has been almost useless
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Vodafone UK are one of the most painful to deal with! Suggest GiffGaff now for anyone in the UK (I'm a convert after using it last month!).
 
All so frustrating and time consuming with something that should be so simple. I have been given £10 credit by Lebara plus answering numerous queries from them re salesman. Complicated conversations in noisy places not my idea of fun:!:
 
For anyone going on holiday to the UK looking for a cost effective prepay SIM, try this.... http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=112

GBP15 for a month of unlimited data with 3000 SMS and 300 minutes calls and the SIM thrown in free. Worth noting that overseas calls/text are not included, but just use skype for calls and whatsapp for you're texts and you're sorted.
 
I use that three plan for my general uk usage. Fairly good although coverage can be a bit lacking in places. Also topping up without a uk credit card would likely need a trip into a three store.

Internet data is pretty good though. Better than o2 which seems to have clogged Internet pipes.

Giff Gaff, which is often publicised would also generally be a good provider. Although they use the o2 network (iirc - uggh), they do also include unlimited (non-tethered) Internet for I think 10 quid per month.

(BTW, I moved away from O2 based on their pathetic internet limits, major outages and an attitude which was just wrong. But using a network doesn't equal sharing the same incompetence! )
 
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Sorry to hear of your poor experience. I happily use Lebara when I go to Europe.

On our family trip to UK in January this year I purchased two pre-paid Lebara SIMs from a smallish phone store near Earls Court tube station.

I didn't try online topup but from memory the pre-paid vouchers are available in most convenience stores.

In Switzerland I also use Lebara, different SIM, different plans etc. But I'm use to now seeking out the same logo for the initial SIM purchase and recharges.

My trips are less than 6 monthly so the SIM from previous trips has usually expired but I do usually carry it back with me just in case it is still operational.

Alby
 
bump, anyone with an up-to-date opinion/thoughts on a good UK SIM? for my spare Iphone 4. Will keep my iPhone 5 as I need to stay in touch with work.
Just need a Sim for the occasional calls, some data for looking up attractions/restaurants while on the go.
Visiting London, York, Lakes District and Edinburgh.

Thanks
KK
 
Hasn't really changed from the info above. Giffgaff and three have both cracked down on tethering though.
 
I just went with O2 this month, they had options of 10, 15 and 20 pounds top up on a SIM (presumably free with the top up).
Valid for a month.
https://www.o2.co.uk/freesim/
OK in cities... not so good in Cartmel! but had no reception with any other provider anyway!
Gets activated at point of sale in an O2 store (was going to go with Vodafone but the Fri afternoon I was there on Oxford St - their systems were down)

Surprised they sold this to me with cash, no passport or CC details required
 
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