Best backup SIM options

the_amazing_raisin

I'm thinking about getting a backup SIM card in case there's ever an issue with my current provider

I'd like a PAYG SIM since I don't want to commit to a bill payment. I know I'll have to top up by a minimum amount every few months to keep the service enabled

I'm with GoMo which uses Eir's network so would be aiming for a different network. I know a problem with GoMo doesn't necessarily mean Eir, and I think a lot of the masts are shared but I feel it would remove one potential point of failure

My main usage would be data so I'm aiming for unlimited data if possible. If 5G is available then that would be a plus. Decent coverage and EU roaming are considerations too

Price is a secondary concern, obviously I don't want to be ripped off but I'd be using this for probably 1 month a year max. So the difference between €13 and €20 isn't as important as quality of service

One thing I'm wondering is whether any networks allow you to access their portal if the account is suspended after 6 months?

For example if I've a Vodafone SIM and I forget to top up within 6 months, can I login to my Vodafone account using that SIM to top up despite being suspended?

I've listed a few networks below, maybe some folks here can help fill in the blanks?

Three

Uses their own network

€20 unlimited 5G data for 28 days

Roaming should be fine

Credit expires after 180 days

€10 minimum top up, no login required, can buy vouchers in shop

Vodafone

Uses their own network

€20 unlimited 5G data for 28 days

Roaming??? (Probably fine)

Top up required every 6 months, credit will carry over if reactivated within 2 months of deactivation

€5 minimum top up, no login required, can buy vouchers in shop

Eir

Uses their own network (same as GoMo)

€20 unlimited 5G data for 28 days

Roaming???

Can't find when credit expires

€5 minimum top up, no login required, can buy voucher in shop

48

Uses Three network

€13 unlimited 5G data for 1 month

Roaming seems a bit hectic

Top up required every 6 months

??? Minimum top up amount, can top up without login via gift shop, online top up only

Lyca

Uses Three network

€20 for unlimited data for 28 days, no 5G?

There's an offer for €10 for 1 year but that requires auto renewal, not much use here

Roaming???

Top up required every 90 days

Unknown minimum top up, can top up without logging in, vouchers can be bought in shops

Tesco

Uses Three network?

€15 gets 100GB of data, no 5G

Roaming???

Credit expires after 180 days

Unknown minimum top up, can top up without login, vouchers can be purchased in Tesco stores

Clear and GoMo are discounted because they're bill pay only

On the face of it, 48 or Vodafone seem like the best deals. Vodafone is more expensive but seems slightly better geared towards being a backup SIM

Eir is probably next in line although I'm concerned they have a shorter disconnection period

the_amazing_raisin

Also, sorry about the horrible formatting, I've had nothing but trouble using bullet points after the site switched to Vanilla

_Godot_

All I know is that Three (and possibly Vodafone) are the ones with actual unlimited data, the others tend to be more limited to 100gb or 200gb a month.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123214935#Comment_123214935

True, they start to apply fair usage beyond a certain threshold

In my case, I don't see data usage being a significant concern. My own usage wouldn't go beyond 100GB in a particular months even including household usage

So hotspotting from the phone for the work laptop and streaming/gaming for the kids for a day or two during a service outage should be manageable within the fair usage policy

I would try to avoid capped data because those plans tend to have pretty low allowances and get very expensive if you run over

The Cush

GoMo has a FUP of 120 Gb, beyond that the speed drops to a solid 5 Mbps but remains unlimited download.

eoinfitzokk

Similar conclusion. I'm using Vodafone pay as you go (personal) for truly unlimited calls texts and data. Separately I signed up to 48 months 13.00 for tablet data and hotspot (on my work account). I happy to pay the Vodafone cost premium to have a great service at fast 5g speeds.

In an ideal world, I would have the cheaper personal sim (48) and my work data account would be Vodafone.... This would be purely for the cheaper cost. The VoLTE and WiFi calling service helps when the calls are with Vodafone.

Yesterday I was reading the Clear mobile thread, and read the Sky mobile thread today. Neither would entice me to consider these operators at the moment.