Helping a friend get their first mobile phone...
02 won't let you buy a mobile phone from their website unless you have a mobile phone number. But you can't get a mobile phone number until you have a mobile phone. But you can't get a mobile phone until you have a mobile phone number...
..and round and round we go...
@GetCarter Madness! Thank goodness for the good guys like you.
@GetCarter But I bet you can get a two year phone contract with O2 which includes a "free" phone.
And I reckon it will be like that for every provider.
Is there a reason why you need to go with O2, specifically? You can buy "sim free" phones online or on the high street and then go to a provider outlet to get a contract, no?
@GetCarter buy a phone from somewhere like Argos.
@GetCarter I just had to renew my drivers license. But for the last step in the digital form I needed the chip which isn't yet in my old one but will be in my new one. And on and on...
@GetCarter [Step 1] Buy an unlocked phone. [Step 2] Go to a convenience store and buy a PAYG SIM]. [Step 3] Insert SIM into unlocked phone] [Step 4] Start making and receiving mobile phone calls (and text messages]. Yes.....really!
Nearest phone shop 180 mile round trip.
@GetCarter @ExistentialistTrainee The reconditioned phone stores are online and the network providers all post in the UK.
Oct 24, 2026, 12:13 PM@GetCarter Don't you have any physical shops anymore?
Nearest phone shop 180 mile round trip.
@GetCarter @chris Big Tesco might be closer. Again with the SIM only deals.
@GetCarter Catch 22
@GetCarter I haven't had a phone on a contract for years. Bought unlocked reconditioned phones and a sim only, rolling 1 month contract. It works out loads cheaper, for me anyway.
We got round this using Giff Gaff they will send you a sim card. You can decide whether you want Pay As you go or a monthly thing.
https://www.giffgaff.com/free-sim-cards
Can you ask around if anyone has an old phone just to get them started?
am in the same position. it's crazy. thanks for bringing this up