A SIM-only plan is a type of mobile phone contract offered by a provider where you only pay for the minutes, texts, and data you use on the SIM-card. Unlike traditional mobile phone contracts, you dont get a new phone included in your plan. Instead, you get a new SIM card, which you then insert into your phone to start your plan. SIM-only plans are often cheaper as you’re not paying for a handset. They’re also more flexible, as you are not tied into a contract for 12 or 24 months like you would be if you chose a deal with a handset. With SIM-only deals, you pay a monthly amount and receive the allowance you have chosen consisting of minutes, texts, and data that you can use over this period. Every month this allowance resets.
SIM-only plans are often offered as rolling contracts that run for 30 days and roll over each month. Pay monthly SIM-only contracts are a monthly contract with a set number of minutes, texts, and data. They normally range from 30 days to 24 months, and often include unlimited minutes and texts. If you run out of data before your plan renews, you can often top-up your data, or use WiFi instead.
SIM-only plans are a good option if you already have a phone you love and just want a better deal on your minutes, texts, and data. They offer similar amounts of minutes, texts, and data to phone plans, plus you can use your allowances in the EU. SIM-only plans are also a great way of cutting down your costs if you were previously on a pay monthly plan. However, bear in mind that if you do switch to SIM only, you may need to unlock your handset.
