Looking for a new SIM card

Hi. I've used a LeFrench Mobile SIM card for many years and it has been a joy. It's easy to load, very inexpensive and you can keep you number between visits by paying about a euro a month. Unfortunately, they are on the Orange network and are being bumped so going out of business. I have until June 30 to find a new SIM.

I have an Android phone and it does not accept an eSIM which has turned out to be a disaster. I've found a couple different plans and some make you use the card every 6 months. Sometimes we go more than 6 months between trips. Another one had reviews that suggested Data charges were sky high. Another one didn't allow you to make phone calls and told you to use Messenger or something similar. This is turning into a nightmare.

Does anyone have any suggestions or can you give me any links to plans that allow text, data, MSM and phone calls at reasonable prices in most European countries and will let me keep my phone number for a small fee?

Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

Good morning.

"Any advice will be appreciated."

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If in the US, visit a Best Buy store. They might be able to help you. Or, give you some advice.

Good luck.

Thanks Al. We'll give it a try. Our Best Buy has been struggling recently and they've completely redone it but they are still there and still in business. It is definitely worth a try. That is actually where I got my phone. It's still working fine so I hate to get another one but am thinking about getting one that takes an eSIM. The world seems headed that way. I'm always the last one on the boat.

Here in the UK, I think most networks expire your number if unused for 3-6 months.

...I just went searching for this in particular. It appears Lebara offer 365 days inactivity. And it appears a top-up purchase will reset the clock.

Not sure if Lebara cover France or if their roaming terms would cover your needs?

Thanks Andy. I'll check them. I seen to recall a friend who used them for a while. I may email her and see what she says but I'm sure she used it in France. We tried to get theirs many years ago when we were looking but the shop we were sent to in Toulouse wasn't open while we were there. Time to look again.

Thank you.

If I can help by posting you a sim, just yell.

Andy, I checked and there are two different SIMs from Lebara, one for the UK and the other for France. I would get the one for France but couldn't find the 365 day limit int the FAQs. I emailed them but won't hear before Monday at the earliest.

Thank you for your very kind offer.

Quoting Beausoleil

I would get the one for France but couldn't find the 365 day limit int the FAQs. I emailed them but won't hear before Monday at the earliest.

Hopefully the French one uses the same terms. Here's where I found it on Lebara UK in case it is of any use - the last item on the page.
https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/help/new-members/my-sim-card-not-working.html

I think I'm set on Lebara but won't get it until we get to France. They won't mail out of the country. I have my current one and want to use the credit on it before they go out of business anyway. Have any of you used Lebara? How are they? The reviews of their newest app are horrible. Do you use the app or just go online?

[ Edit: Edited on 23 Apr 2024, 22:49 GMT by Beausoleil ]

My mum uses Lebara. In the UK I think they use the Vodafone physical network. Not had any app problems, I think reviews of all major apps are horrible, as the people motivated to leave a review are the unhappy ones.