What does SIM Only mean?

You’ve probably heard of the term SIM Only. But what does it mean? If you’re not sure, don’t worry. We’re going to explain exactly what SIM Only means and answer all your questions about how a SIM Only plan works. Then you can decide if one of our SIM only deals is the right option for you.

Nowadays, we’ve all become accustomed to upgrading our phone to the next best thing as soon as our contract has ended, even if our handset is in perfectly good condition.

But you don’t have to do this. If you like the device you’ve got right now and it’s serving you well, why pay to upgrade? Why not take advantage of the benefits of a SIM Only deal instead? 
 
A SIM Only plan doesn’t require you to purchase a new phone as part of your package – you're just choosing a new plan and getting a fresh SIM card.

A SIM only plan is just that: a contract that’s just for your SIM card.  
 
Instead of getting a new phone as part of your plan, you’ll get a new SIM card with all the data, minutes and texts that you need. And the best thing is, getting started is simple. Once you’ve chosen the plan you want and got your SIM card, just pop the SIM into your phone and you’re good to go.

Wondering whether a SIM Only deal is right for you? There are lots of reasons why you may want to go down this route.

If your contract’s up but you love your phone, then a SIM Only deal is perfect. It means you can keep your handset and get a better deal on your minutes, texts and data. SIM Only deals tend to be cheaper in the long run compared to regular contracts because you’re obviously not paying for the cost of a new handset.

SIM Only deals are also much more flexible – because you’re not locked into a long contract, you’ll have the freedom to switch phones at any time. If you change your mind about your device, you don’t need to wait for your contract to end to upgrade to the latest model.

What's more, SIM only deals are actually more environmentally friendly. By sticking with your current phone, you are essentially reducing your electronic waste. 

With Three, there are two options when it comes to SIM Only deals. Tou can opt for a Pay Monthly SIM Only plan or choose a Pay As You Go SIM. 

Our Pay Monthly SIM only plans give you the best deals on allowances, whilst You Go gives you the flexibility to only pay for what you use.

All of our SIM Only plans include unlimited minutes and texts. We also offer truly unlimited data plans, giving you all the data you could ever need. Plus, with Go Roam, you can unlock your UK allowance in over 160 destinations around the world. What’s not to love?

Our 4G network covers 99% of the UK outdoor population, meaning you can use your Three SIM from almost anywhere. 

We’re also currently dedicating more spectrum to our 5G network than any other UK mobile operator. All of our SIMs are 5G ready at no extra cost. So, if you’re in a 5G zone you can enjoy our super-fast 5G internet with no speed limits or data caps. 

That really depends on your data needs. We offer eight allowances on our Pay Monthly plans, allowing you to find the perfect fit. Right now, we can offer monthly allowances of 1GB, 4GB, 8GB, 12GB, 30GB, 100GB, 250GB, plus Unlimited data.

If you only use a little bit of data every month, 1GB to 12GB should be more than enough. However, if you regularly stream your favourite shows or music on your morning commute, it might be worth getting a 30GB or 100GB data plan.

Our 250GB and Unlimited data SIM only deals are made for frequent streamers, social media enthusiasts, serial downloaders and diehard mobile gamers. Our larger data allowances are also useful if you’re looking to use your smartphone as a hotspot for your laptop or tablet, which makes it perfect for those working whilst on the move. 

As with other types of phone plan, if your SIM Only contract expires and you don’t do anything, you’ll just continue on the same monthly terms until you cancel, renew or upgrade. 
 
If you take a SIM Only plan with us, as you get near the end of your contract, we’ll get in touch and tell you about some of the best offers you can consider next - whether that’s another SIM Only deal or a fresh handset contract.

Yes, keeping your number with a SIM Only deal works in pretty much the same way as it would with a contract for a new handset. 
 
For more information, take a look at our article on keeping your phone number while switching network.

This cost of your SIM Only deal obviously depends on the plan you choose. 

It all comes down to how much data you think you’ll need every month. 
 
At Three, we offer 1-month, 12-month and 24-month SIM Only Pay Monthly plans, starting from £4 a month with 6 months half price.  With one of our best deals, you can get a 24-month SIM with unlimited texts, minutes and data for just £12 a month with the first 6 months half price. 
 
With our Pay As You Go SIM Only Deals, you can request a free SIM from Three which you can top up as you use, or you can purchase a SIM with a data pack included on Amazon.  With data packs, you choose your monthly data and get unlimited minutes and texts included. They’re valid for 1 month and start from £10. 

Yes, you can get your tablet or iPad, Mobile Broadband hub and other devices online with our data only SIMS. You can choose between our Pay As You Go Data SIMs and Pay Monthly Data SIMs. These data only SIMS come with a data allowance you can use (as long as your device has 3G, 4G, or 5G capabilities).

So, if you’re looking for more flexibility, less commitment and cheaper mobile deals, our SIM Only offers might just be the best choice for you.