Incoming call only PAYG SIM

[RalphBB]

Hi,

I want a SIM I can put in a gate opener (calling the SIM triggers the gates to open).

If I top up a new PAYG Vodafone SIM with, say, £5, will it work forever, or will the credit expire and the SIM get turned off at some point?

I don't want the hassle of having to take the SIM out of the gate machinery every 6 months to keep it authorised.......

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi,

In regards to Payg. 

There are 2 Payg Tariffs. 

Big Value Bundles where allowances last for 30 days and credit is taken to pay for them. The allowances do not roll over. 

Freebie where again allowances last for 30 days but you keep the credit as this can be used once the initial allowances are used up. The allowances do not roll over. 

Vodafone Payg Tariffs Information.

6, Suspension, disconnection and ending the agreement.

a. We can suspend (in other words bar), restrict or stop providing the services (all or part of them) in the following circumstances:
3. You choose not to use the service for 180 consecutive days.

Using the service means making any chargeable outbound activity such as making an outbound call (excluding calls to 191), sending an SMS, using data or topping up your account.

b. If we suspend the mobile equipment because you have chosen not to use the services (as defined in 6a3 above) for 180 consecutive days we will send you an SMS notifying you that you should top up your account or make a chargeable outbound call (but not calls to 191), send a chargeable SMS or use your data within the next 90 days.

If you then fail to make any chargeable outbound calls (but not calls to 191), send a chargeable SMS, use your data or top up your account within 90 days from the date of the SMS because you have not kept to this agreement or not used the services for 270 consecutive days, we will disconnect your mobile equipment, and you will lose any credit held on your account.
c. We will try and tell you when we suspend, restrict or end your use, but we do not have to.

From http://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/configfiles/documents/contentdocuments/pay-as-you-go-terms-and-c...

[AnnS]

Hi @RalphBB

No mobile network is going to keep a SIM active when there has been no chargeable activity for a lengthy period, it's the only way mobile companies know the SIM is in use and it is expected to make a little profit for providing a service.  

With it being an Ofcom ruling that all PAYG SIM's have to be active with chargeable activity, the only way will be to use the SIM in a phone to make a quick chargeable activity.

[Annie_N]

@RalphBB

There is an interesting possibility!

As BandOfBrothers quotes, "Using the service means making any chargeable outbound activity such as making an outbound call (excluding calls to 191), sending an SMS, using data or topping up your account."

Therefore, simply topping up by £5 every 180-270 days (and on no account let it drift over 270 days) would keep your SIM active, although the credit balance on the card would creep up over the years! You'd also do well to check from time to time that the rules haven't changed.

I've just double-checked, and I was able to top up my PAYG SIM using a voucher on http://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/existing-customers/topping-up/index.htm without having to log in or otherwise have the phone in hand.

Before you put your SIM into your gate mechanism, you might want to set up an online account for it at http://www.vodafone.co.uk/myvodafone/faces/home and add an alternative contact number, such as your regular mobile number. Then you would be able to keep an eye on the balance without having to retrieve the SIM. Once the balance becomes excessive, you could take the plunge and retrieve the SIM from the gate, then make some charitable donations using the balance. You'll find an assortment of good causes here.