Terence Eden

🆕 blog! “Cheapest way to keep a UK mobile number using an eSIM”

I have an old mobile phone number that I'd like to keep. I think it is registered with a bunch of services for 2FA by SMS, but I can't be sure. So I want to keep it for a couple of years just in case I need it to log on to something.

I don't want to faff around with physical SIMs, so I went …

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#eSIM #mobile #phone #sim

Cheapest way to keep a UK mobile number using an eSIM

I have an old mobile phone number that I'd like to keep. I think it is registered with a bunch of services for 2FA by SMS, but I can't be sure. So I want to keep it for a couple of years just in case I need it to log on to something. I don't want to faff around with physical SIMs, so I went looking for the cheapest way to keep my number for the longest time. There are a whole bunch of providers…

Terence Eden’s Blog
Apr 11 at 11:35amShare on Mastodon
Show threadRichard Loxley2d ago

@Edent I think that you can do something similar with GiffGaff, and marginally cheaper.

The slight disadvantage is they’ll send you a physical SIM anyway, and then you have to switch to an eSIM in your account.

Minimum top-up is ÂŁ10, and then you have to spend credit every 6 months to remain active - the cheapest way is to call voicemail at 9p for the call.

Like all providers they hide the basic PAYG behind all the monthly plans, but I think you have to select “Just need a SIM”.

Show threadRichard Loxley2d ago
@Edent (*) cheaper being a misnomer as it still costs ÂŁ10, it just lasts longer!
Show threadawoodland2d ago
@Edent I'm using @aaisp to hold some numbers like this. Monthly fee is ÂŁ1+VAT so similar annual costs as the ÂŁ15 annual fee, but can get SMS delivered via email (and other options), http API for sending and you can use SIP or call forwarding without tying up an eSIM slot or locking to a physical device. The only requirement to keep the number working is a direct debit which I like as then there's no risk of forgetting too.
Show threadDon Thompson2d ago
@awoodland @Edent @aaisp
A very useful service from A&A.
Show threadPaul Leader2d ago

@Edent Oooo thanks for that. I needed a cheap sim to use for a second developer account, this is perfect.

Something for anyone else trying it, if you follow the referral link, the options presented may not let you add them to your basket, you go straight through to the checkout process. If you go to the front page you can select the PAYG option there and add that to the basket. Everything else works the same from there.