I want to keep my 087 number while living abroad. Which network should I port to?

tyRion

Hi folks,

I've had my 087 number longer than I've had this boards.ie account! I now live abroad, and want to keep my 087 number so that I can use it when I travel back home for holidays (all my friends and family have that 087 number, I don't want to get a new one every time I travel).

For a while now my number has been on Three, but I've just logged into My3 for the first time in a year and see that all my credit is gone (had €100+ in there). I toped up, and I now see that Three prepaid credit expires after 180 days. Lame!

What's the best phone network for an ex-pat to use these days, and what are the restrictions? Ideally I'd only need to make one call every 12 months to keep the phone active, and credit wouldn't expire, is this possible?

Ten Pin

Vodafone PAYG, €5 every 8 months

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119411305/#Comment_119411305

Ah-Watch

Vodafone credit doesn't expire like Threes does. Just pop 5e on it every 6 months to keep it active. If you don't top it up it'll be deactivated after 8 months. There's been a few posts asking similar to you recently and it's unclear now if any last 12 months anymore without top up.

TheDriver

I recall tesco is longer again, you don't even need to top up, just ring the number every few months