Data sim expiring while abroad

carol

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I fear my 3 data sim will run out while in Spain, Portugal or France. I've read that sims must be activated in the UK although I think I also read that someone had successfully activated one while away. What does everyone do to get round this, for example buying a sim while away?
 
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I buy another sim and activate it before leaving every August, I use the 24gb 2yr ones and usually buy one every year so that they never expire together, I am (or was) a heavy user though and always use up the data before the 2yrs
 
carol said:
I fear my 3 data sim will expire while in Spain, Portugal or France. I've read that sims must be activated in the UK although I think I also read that someone had successfully activated one while away. What does everyone do to get round this, for example buying a sim while away?
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A one year one would make sense? They are often on offer ... have seen when they are. I have never considered buying one out there, I suspect they are more expensive. When are you off this time?

New 3 PAYG 4G Trio Data SIM Pack Preloaded with 12GB of Data Three Sizes 613894053542 | eBay

haven't checked how long it is valid for
 
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Carol I had our 3 data sim run out while in Sweden just replaced with another new one and worked ok. I believe you can top them up when they expire but never have
 
If it's a PAYG sim you should be able to just add credit to it on the three site. I don't think they actually expire, do they? We have a three.ie sim in the router at home and just top it up with 20 yoyos every month. It's the same SIM card purchased over 2 years ago.
 
Thanks all, the one that's in is a 12 or 24 month one from Amazon. I'd buy another one for when it runs out but as I said, thought they had to be activated in the UK. I should have said "runs out" rather than "expires" in my original post so I'll amend ...
 
You can top it up while abroad but you pay the full price for the top up, it is cheaper to buy a new one
 
witzend said:
Perhaps thats why we,ve never tried we just use a new one when old expires
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I did it once, I didn't realise it wouldn't last and we still had a few weeks to go, I had a problem I was sorting out by the internet so no choice, I phoned '3' and paid for another Month, never again
 
hairydog said:
It's a good idea to have one or two in stock. I recently used some they were several years old - no problem at all: into the mifi, switch it on, wait 30 seconds and you're connected.

EE ones expire after 90 days if you don't use them, so although I find EE better than Three, a 3 prepaid SIM makes a far better standby.

However, I'm far better off using an EE contract SIM for mobile broadband. It suits my pattern of use better.
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Have you ever activated one while abroad, Hairydog? I'd willingly carry a new one but have been told they must be activated in the UK ...
 
carol said:
Have you ever activated one while abroad, Hairydog? I'd willingly carry a new one but have been told they must be activated in the UK ...
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You do not have to activate the 3 prepaid sim in UK. Some other types of 3 sim you do.

Korky.
 
[QUO
TE=carol;945054]Thanks Korky - which ones do need to be activated in the UK?[/QUOTE]
Hi Carol,

All I know is that the prepaid 3 data sims work from the box, no need to activate in UK. I've used 2 in Europe like this, no probs.

I've not used any of their other sims but have read on several forums that the top up type or pay as you go type need activating here.

You can top up the prepaid one, but it is better value to just buy another.

Korky.
 
hi carol i have used the 3 data sims for the last 2&1/2 years have twice replaced them in the i pad whilst away & they have worked straight out the box,
 
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