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Best cheap e-sim for backup phone data?

NJackooo

ULTIMATE Member
So I'm moving to iD mobile soon, and wonder if I'll run into coverage issues when travlling, is there any dirt cheap e-sim's out there I can just use if I find myself in a no-signal zone? thanks
 
You only have the choice of the big 4 networks and Lycamobile for an esim currently. There are some good O2 deals on Uswitch.com. £7.99 for 15GB
 
Leaning towards something like this, I'm just hoping it won't stick to the 3 network if I'm trying to use an alternative lol https://bnesim.com/
 
Last edited:
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for a 2nd sim I’ve been happy with Lyca, now it works on EE.

I’ve had O2 100GB but never need that much data and so decided two cheap sims was better than one big allowance.

I need to stick with the main networks to support my Apple watch so have O2 as my primary sim and Lycamobile on EE as my backup.
iPhones will auto swap to the 2nd sim if signal is poor for data.

both are E-Sims
 
I must admit the Lyca eSIM is incredibly easy to set up.

I became a 'New' Lyca customer for the sixth time today for my Galaxy watch, it all works a treat. ☺️

I switched to the lowest 3GB bundle.(£3.90)

The bitrate of Spotify must be incredibly low as surprisingly I struggle to reach 2GB streaming every day for about an hour, sometimes more.

It still sounds fine quality wise too.

All this to save £1 from the 6GB bundle (£4.90)

Well why pay more when you don't use it?

Cheapskate extraordinaire? That's me.😁
 
Just copped a 1GB UK eSIM for like £3 from BNESIM, I can specify either EE, 3-UK or O2-UK in manual network selection and use it on any of those networks, never expires too (So I'll actually likely end up using it one day when I have no signal) Nice!
 
Oh I messaged support and while they didn't say directly they kinda said "If O2 is working fine you don't need to specify another network".
-Kinda implies it defaults to O2 then jumps ship if there's any issues (if left on automatic network selection).

Not gonna lie, for that price, I'm frickin impressed, setup was straightforward too and was only a tiny amount more for europe included.
 
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for a 2nd sim I’ve been happy with Lyca, now it works on EE.

I’ve had O2 100GB but never need that much data and so decided two cheap sims was better than one big allowance.

I need to stick with the main networks to support my Apple watch so have O2 as my primary sim and Lycamobile on EE as my backup.
iPhones will auto swap to the 2nd sim if signal is poor for data.

both are E-Sims
I'm curious about that, during setup my iPhone mentioned "Data fallback" but I only see an option for "Allow Mobile Data Switching" which says "Turning this feature on will allow your phone to use mobile data from both lines depending on coverage and availability" - Doesn't seem like it takes into account what's primary/secondary?
- I don't want it burning my backup data un-necessarily.
 
I'm curious about that, during setup my iPhone mentioned "Data fallback" but I only see an option for "Allow Mobile Data Switching" which says "Turning this feature on will allow your phone to use mobile data from both lines depending on coverage and availability" - Doesn't seem like it takes into account what's primary/secondary?
- I don't want it burning my backup data un-necessarily.
It does, if your primary SIM is absolutely dead, like 0 bars, it will switch to the other back up one automatically. It will also connect to the original SIM's IMS services to still be able to make calls with it even if you have no service, think of it like WiFi call over data.
IMG-20230902-WA0026.webp
 
It does, if your primary SIM is absolutely dead, like 0 bars, it will switch to the other back up one automatically. It will also connect to the original SIM's IMS services to still be able to make calls with it even if you have no service, think of it like WiFi call over data.
View attachment 8133
It routes Voice traffic over that Data connection? Cool! Kudos for the easy-to-understand explanation too.

I want to know if it will switch back to primary automatically (without having to encounter the 0 bars).

If it doesn't automatically switch back, I'll be more tempted to go with something like the Lyca £1.99 deal for 5GB eSIM and use 3Primary/EESecondary. So I get a bigger allowance and don't have to worry about switching it back manually.
 
Now you've got me thinking Voda/Three might be the best combo.
If it automatically reverts back when signal is re-gained on primary then I'll be alright with my bnesim that I think will automatically jump ship if O2 also is dead (which is kinda an added benefit of not using a single network).
 
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I must admit the Lyca eSIM is incredibly easy to set up.

I became a 'New' Lyca customer for the sixth time today for my Galaxy watch, it all works a treat. ☺️

I switched to the lowest 3GB bundle.(£3.90)

The bitrate of Spotify must be incredibly low as surprisingly I struggle to reach 2GB streaming every day for about an hour, sometimes more.

It still sounds fine quality wise too.

All this to save £1 from the 6GB bundle (£4.90)

Well why pay more when you don't use it?

Cheapskate extraordinaire? That's me.😁
Mate, I'm paying Voxi atm soon moving to iD £6 for 8GB a month on 30dayw/rollover, then like £2 a month for bnesim which gives me O2/EE/3 1GB backup data. Who's the cheapskate now 😂
 
It routes Voice traffic over that Data connection? Cool! Kudos for the easy-to-understand explanation too.

I want to know if it will switch back to primary automatically (without having to encounter the 0 bars).

If it doesn't automatically switch back, I'll be more tempted to go with something like the Lyca £1.99 deal for 5GB eSIM and use 3Primary/EESecondary. So I get a bigger allowance and don't have to worry about switching it back manually.
Yes it does switch back automatically. Naturally, if the network supports it, it can also route SMS over the second Sims data connection too (VToW - Voice Text over WiFi). I think if anything, for a good backup, you'd want EE/Three SIM 1 and then O2/Vodafone SIM 2. This is because of their mast sharing agreements. If EE and Three are sharing a mast that doesn't reach into an area O2/Vodafone have a mast it's a pretty sore backup solution!
 
My game plan is 3 primary then O2 secondary with my BNESIM (I think it will hop to EE if O2 is unavailable but I may just manually specify O2 and see how it goes).

I did wonder about 3/EE mast sharing agreements, although I think that’s recently come to an end hasn’t it?

3 Primary/O2 secondary. Sounds like a plan.

BNESIM don’t use Voda unfortunately.

Thanks for the info by the way, turned the automatic switching feature on now :)
 
When I tried Lycra esim I did find it not to perform as well as the 1P Mobile SIM I have. Which was a shame. But it was nice to have 2 sims on my iPhone.
 
I just wish bnesim supported Vodafone, currently I have access to all 4 networks with My Voxi SIM and bne eSIM.
iD is Three though and moving in next few days, I'll have 3/O2/EE. Gurantee the place I end up needing it will only have voda coverage 😂.

Ah well, 3 networks on the cheap, can't moan lol.
 
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Yes it does switch back automatically. Naturally, if the network supports it, it can also route SMS over the second Sims data connection too (VToW - Voice Text over WiFi). I think if anything, for a good backup, you'd want EE/Three SIM 1 and then O2/Vodafone SIM 2. This is because of their mast sharing agreements. If EE and Three are sharing a mast that doesn't reach into an area O2/Vodafone have a mast it's a pretty sore backup solution!
I'll see how iD mobile treats me with O2/EE Backup, if it fails me some-day, I'll switch to Lebara primarily and then have 3/O2/EE backup on a budget, can't beat that! lol
 
I'll see how iD mobile treats me with O2/EE Backup, if it fails me some-day, I'll switch to Lebara primarily and then have 3/O2/EE backup on a budget, can't beat that! lol
If anything, I'd swap iD for Lebara now if you want ultra reliability. Vodafone is already a very reliable Network compared to three which, despite already being very very reliable to me, I have noticed toward the west I struggled to get service (was in blackpool the other day and had full Vodafone service on payg) and naff all signal with three, struggling to see any network at all at some points. The benefit to Three though is that 5G fast goodness. That's why I stick with them.
 
If anything, I'd swap iD for Lebara now if you want ultra reliability. Vodafone is already a very reliable Network compared to three which, despite already being very very reliable to me, I have noticed toward the west I struggled to get service (was in blackpool the other day and had full Vodafone service on payg) and naff all signal with three, struggling to see any network at all at some points. The benefit to Three though is that 5G fast goodness. That's why I stick with them.
Tbh, I would however, I've essentially got 3 months of iD for free as when moving my Direct Debit date, my allowance didn't increase like it should have so they credited me £20 which is effectively 3 months worth 😂£6.95 for 15GB though makes one go hmmm.
 
Oh another thing too, I notice iD does 3-way-calling properly, I don't use it often but occasionally it's very useful to me, nice not having to battle someone to enable it, and from my experience 3-way tends to be disabled these days on most networks.

Edit: I was also in blackpool not that long ago and Vodafone was fine, makes me wonder what 3/O2/EE like up there lol.
 
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