2G or not 2G? That is the question.

[#1]

---

@AyToZed wrote:

I have yet to turn on VOLTE on my Tesco PAYG mobile. (Despite repeated 'prompts' from Tesco Mobile).

I can still call out and have an incoming call and receive text messages. There is a connection delay on voice calls, which makes me suspect there's something going on in the background which isn't visible to me.

---

As 3G has now closed down, if you are not using VoLTE, then your network calls must now be going via 2G. What Tesco tariff are you on? Beware, if you are still on the old Tesco accounting system, your existing phone arrangement likely won't see the month out.

I know someone who had a transitional phone, 3G/4G, and they were bumped by Tesco from the old system to the new one, which caused them much tariff confusion (not being technically minded). But as their old phone's battery then packed up they had to buy a new 4G phone - the identical model to mine.

[#2]

I've been through the mangle of the migration with Tesco (end of last year). I rejected their montly plan. I am (still) on a PAYG tariff. The call charges ain't cheap, but I very rarely use the mobile for outbound voice calls. I also rarely use it for outbound text messages. It is an emergency backup for outbound comms.

The display on the mobile shows ...

4G1 (for the single SIM that is in a phone which can take two SIMs?).

[#3]

---

@pvmb wrote:

...Does anyone know if any CP still offers any kind of TRUE (not rolling 30 days) PAYG SIM service...

---

Search eBay for "O2 Classic PAYG SIM".

You will need to activate it with a £10 top-up and then "...carry out any chargeable activity at least once in any six month period..." to keep it alive.

Classic Pay As You Go 

...or there is RWG Mobile 

[#4]

Search eBay for "O2 Classic PAYG SIM".

I think you'll find that tariff is no longer available.

Giffgaff still do have a true PAYG option but its well hidden on the website.

You just get a free SIM and add £10 credit. You must make at least one chargeable call/text every 6 months to keep the sim active.

PAYG rates are not cheap though https://www.giffgaff.com/pricing. You need to make sure data is disabled on the phone otherwise your credit will dissappear rapidly...

I still keep a Giffgaff PAYG sim as my 'backup' in the 2nd sim slot.

[#5]

 I pay £6.00/pm for unlimited calls/texts and 4GB data, with any unused data rolling over to the next month. Usually means I have nearly 8GB of data at the beginning of month 2. 

[#6]

---

@MisterW wrote:

Giffgaff still do have a true PAYG option but its well hidden on the website.

You just get a free SIM and add £10 credit. You must make at least one chargeable call/text every 6 months to keep the sim active.

PAYG rates are not cheap though https://www.giffgaff.com/pricing. You need to make sure data is disabled on the phone otherwise your credit will dissappear rapidly...

I still keep a Giffgaff PAYG sim as my 'backup' in the 2nd sim slot.

---

I now have a giffgaff SIM, but not yet tried it out. Those rates appear the same as the current Tesco Mobile true PAYG rates (but on their new 4G VoLTE ready accounting system) who use O2 as their carrier, like giffgaff - must be based on O2's bulk wholesale reseller rates, as less than half O2's own retail PAYG rates! I hope I can get them with giffgaff on my 2G only Nokia. 🤔

[#7]

---

@MisterW wrote:

Search eBay for "O2 Classic PAYG SIM".

I think you'll find that tariff is no longer available.

---

Tarrif is still available, which is why they are still being sold on eBay.

These SIM's are not available direct from O2 anymore and time is running out for them to be activated. The two I ordered must be activated by the end of April 2026.

[#8]

"You need to make sure data is disabled on the phone otherwise your credit will dissappear rapidly"

Yes

[#9]

@jab1 

Who with?

Others “as back up” against what eventuality?

Back up against landline failure I can understand, but not against VoIP or another mobile provider, for if the primary is down, it’s likely that any mobile as a “back up” is also going to be down or soon will be.

The only sense in which “as a backup” seems to be applicable is for an otherwise non-mobile user need to make emergency contact when away from home and there’s no public payphone nearby … but there is a decent mobile signal.

[#10]

@Townman ID Mobile.

[#11]

Just in case anyone wonders why my data usage is so low on the phone - I find the screen too small to read comfortably, so really only use it for such as tracking bus times, storing rail tickets etc. If I'm out and about for any length of time, I have my iPad with me, and use that for data-intensive tasks or when I need to be able to actually read, say, a forum or find information.

In effect, my phone is a phone - for voice communication.

[#12]

I use RWG - they do offer PAYG but some othercheap deals too. Their "Teaser" plan is £2pm, but I pay less with a a 2 year contract for a single payment - I'm on my second term with them. They use EE (which is the best signal in my area), and it does what it says on the tin. Support is via email, and I've not had any issues apart from a couple of days when the local EE tower was down for some reason.

For a backup phone it is worth noting that if it is for 999 emergency calls only you don't actually need a SIM at all. You can keep a spare phone for true emergencies without paying out anything.

[#13]

"Back up against landline failure I can understand, but not against VoIP or another mobile provider, for if the primary is down, it’s likely that any mobile as a “back up” is also going to be down or soon will be."

Random(ish) thoughts.

There is a chance of that. But it depends. Power supply problems can be limited in the area that is affected. Sometimes the nearest mast isn't affected. My most recent power failure to my house didn't take down mobile reception. This may be exceptional. (N.B. I'm non-rural).

Taking your example, then BT's idea on the roll-out of VoIP (and their recommendation that people with a mobile have a backup) appear to be a little strange (or overly optimistic)? They (BT) appear to assume that (a) everyone has a mobile phone (this is not true) (b) all mobile phones will continue to function if a power outage affects VoIP provisions (this is not true all the time)..

Additional thoughts

Mobile phones can be useful for receiving text messages. Part of 2FA. Whether such services should/could/must rely on a chargeable monthly plan is rather debatable (IMO). I'm assuming that I'm not the only cheap-skate. Should 2FA be a chargeable option? (wandering away from the initial subject)?

Mobile phones can be useful when stuck in a hospital, miles away from your nearest and dearest. That's another type of 'emergency'/backup.

[#14]

---

@corringham wrote:

I use RWG - they do offer PAYG but some othercheap deals too. Their "Teaser" plan is £2pm, but I pay less with a a 2 year contract for a single payment - I'm on my second term with them. They use EE (which is the best signal in my area), and it does what it says on the tin. Support is via email, and I've not had any issues apart from a couple of days when the local EE tower was down for some reason.

---

Never previously heard of RWG, but that's a very tempting PAYG tariff, especially the: "Your credit will never expire."

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/

Pay-as-you-go 
You can use our service on a simple pay-as-you-go basis. Just top-up your account and charges will be deducted as and when you use it. Your credit will never expire.

VOICE: 5p min UK landline/mobile
SMS: 5p/SMS
DATA: 1p/MB

[#15]

---

@pvmb wrote:

---

---

Never previously heard of RWG...

RWG are in a partnership with Now Mobile. They post Now Mobile SIM's with an RWG paper sticker covering the original logo.

I've been with them (RWG) since August 2022. The company name is IWITHACIRCLE LTD t/a RWG Mobile.