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I'm in the UK and want a eSIM that has no contract, that I can buy gigabytes for small text and/or voice.

VancSaint

Member
I'm visiting the UK next week for an extended period and want a eSIM that has no contract, that I can buy, pay as you go, gigabytes for small text and/or voice.
I'm not using it for browsing. I would like it to remain active when I return home to Canada. I'm using it for online verification for a few accounts I have in the UK, like bank and Premium Bonds etc. Can anyone recommend a provider? I'm not sure how a text or voice call will be received long distance. Would that be a problem. Skype account will not work in Canada to receive texts, only in the USA.
 
I'm visiting the UK next week for an extended period and want a eSIM that has no contract, that I can buy, pay as you go, gigabytes for small text and/or voice.
I'm not using it for browsing. I would like it to remain active when I return home to Canada. I'm using it for online verification for a few accounts I have in the UK, like bank and Premium Bonds etc. Can anyone recommend a provider? I'm not sure how a text or voice call will be received long distance. Would that be a problem. Skype account will not work in Canada to receive texts, only in the USA.
Someone might be able to confirm whether Tesco supports eSIM on PAYG, but Tesco Mobile would be the best bet. Your credit never expires and your number will stay on there forever.

It's on the O2 network so it might be a tiny bit slow if you try using it here.

I think it is a bit expensive for out-of-bundle rates compared to other networks like 1pMobile but your credit expires with them.


8p/min, 4p/text, 10p/MB in UK, not sure what would be the price in Canada.
 
Someone might be able to confirm whether Tesco supports eSIM on PAYG, but Tesco Mobile would be the best bet. Your credit never expires and your number will stay on there forever.

It's on the O2 network so it might be a tiny bit slow if you try using it here.

I think it is a bit expensive for out-of-bundle rates compared to other networks like 1pMobile but your credit expires with them.


8p/min, 4p/text, 10p/MB in UK, not sure what would be the price in Canada.
89p a minute in Canada, 20p to receive a text in CA (which seems very odd), not sure about data charges but Tesco has a spreadsheet for PAYG Lite rates which might be helpful.


Canada is in region 3, @RajSandhu2k might be able to help you with Tesco if that's the best option or not
 
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I can vouch for these guys after using them. No contract either.,
 
Not an eSim but 1p Mobile has a decent service and roaming in Canada.

Costs when you are roaming in Canada​

Calls to standard UK (01, 02, 03, 07), Canada and worldwide landlines and mobiles10p a minute
Calls to UK, Canada and worldwide non-geographic and special numbers£2 a minute
Receiving calls10p a minute
Receiving and retrieving voicemail messages10p a minute
Texts to UK, Canada and worldwide mobiles5p a message
Receiving textsFree
Picture messages (MMS) to UK, Canada and worldwide mobiles45p a message
Mobile data2p a MB
BoostsYour Boosts do not apply in Canada
Our roaming partnersBell Mobility
Rogers Communications
SaskTel
Telus
 
Not an eSim but 1p Mobile has a decent service and roaming in Canada.

Costs when you are roaming in Canada​

Calls to standard UK (01, 02, 03, 07), Canada and worldwide landlines and mobiles10p a minute
Calls to UK, Canada and worldwide non-geographic and special numbers£2 a minute
Receiving calls10p a minute
Receiving and retrieving voicemail messages10p a minute
Texts to UK, Canada and worldwide mobiles5p a message
Receiving textsFree
Picture messages (MMS) to UK, Canada and worldwide mobiles45p a message
Mobile data2p a MB
BoostsYour Boosts do not apply in Canada
Our roaming partnersBell Mobility
Rogers Communications
SaskTel
Telus
1p requires a minimum top-up of £10 every 3 months though right?
 
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@VancSaint

You may find that giffgaff meets your requirements for data for a short period and long lasting texts etc.

The offer is a bit confusing as their bundle is called a "goodybag" but you can buy that or not as required.

Supermarkets often have their SIMs to buy at the tills.

Once you have some credit, a very minimal spend will keep the SIM alive and they now do ESIM if your phone is on their list.

 
@VancSaint

You may find that giffgaff meets your requirements for data for a short period and long lasting texts etc.

The offer is a bit confusing as their bundle is called a "goodybag" but you can buy that or not as required.

Supermarkets often have their SIMs to buy at the tills.

Once you have some credit, a very minimal spend will keep the SIM alive and they now do ESIM if your phone is on their list.

Giffgaff's rates in the UK are more expensive though iirc from what I've already posted about Tesco, unless you're buying a goodybag, Tesco is still the best O2 based option
 
Worth checking terms and conditions for how long a SIM can be used outside UK before there is a chance of losing the number due to some UK SIMs being intended for use in the UK and not mainly abroad.
 
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It's a £10 minimum spend every 3 months but their cheapest boost is £7.50 for 4GB. A ripoff they are now so I moved to Spusu as it's cheaper and they have a nice app and good customer service.
still the cheapest way of getting full fat EE service and most people won't be impacted by the spending thing anyway.

spusu is still a little janky for my tastes. can't stand the "crispy" audio. though it is probably the easiest way to get an eSIM on an EE network without going directly to EE
 
Apparently RWGMobile now do eSIMs: https://www.rwgmobile.wales/webshop/esims/

Not exactly PAYG, but you can pay up-front £45 for 1 year (5GB/month + unlimited UK calls and SMS) on the Three network.

The customer service isn't the most responsive, and the website talks about shipping you a SIM so I'm not sure if you have to get the regular SIM first before converting to eSIM.

They do have regular PAYG but it doesn't seem to be available with eSIM.

As for roaming in Canada, you need to top-up:
Roaming costs outside of the EU are charged at a maximum of £1.50p per min, 50p per SMS sent (free to receive) and 50p/MB.
£500 per GB is damn expensive, but not as bad as if you buy a SIM direct from Three, who charge £6,000 per GB to roam in Canada !!
 
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