Information About Cheap Mobile Phones
A "burner phone" is a phrase for mobile phones made (in)famous by TV shows such as The Wire and Breaking Bad, where criminals buy prepaid credit to use with cheap mobile phones which they then dispose of on a regular basis to avoid leaving a permanent, traceable record of their communications.
But everyone should consider buying such a phone, as they could be a lifesaver in some circumstances.
The recent Channel 4 TV series Hunted demonstrated how mobile telephony can be used to good effect to pinpoint fugitives, and some of the "fugitives" in this series have been clever enough to buy burner phones to help to cover up their tracks - But they have also demonstrated just how mobile telecommunications can be used to track and trace these burner phones and pinpoint where they were used when the fugitives have called a monitored contact, such as a family member or friend.
Who Needs a Burner Phone?
Firstly, criminals find that buying a Pay As You Go (PAYG) mobile phone and calling credit using cash immediately prevents any direct link to their person and bank accounts. So, for these people, buying PAYG SIM cards and cheap mobile phones is a must, to minimise traceability. For criminal or dodgy activities, burner phones are essential.
However, with the rise of ever more expensive smartphones and mobile phone contracts, the need for a spare, cheap mobile has never been greater - yet in the western world these cheap, affordable mobile phones are becoming harder to find.
Have you ever needed a spare phone for your car, or even in your home?
Have you ever discovered that your network operator has gone down, leaving you without a mobile signal?
Do you ever need to hand a spare, reliable mobile phone to a young, old or vulnerable relative, even if it's "just in case something happens".
What about all those times when your smartphone's battery is low or empty?
What if you find yourself in an area where your mobile phone doesn't actually have any coverage? A spare mobile could be used with an alternative network's SIM.
How about your precious mobile phone? Your smartphone is not just expensive, it contains almost all of your personal information. You might insure it, have PIN codes, security access and remote lock and wipe apps set up - But if it is lost or stolen, your information (as well as that of your family, friends and contacts) still is not at all safe.
Plenty of builders and other tradesmen go through plenty of mobile phones. Tough phones are ok, but still not impervious to damage. For many tradespeople, a cheap mobile is a necessity.
Anyone into outdoor pursuits knows that their fragile, expensive smartphone is very vulnerable - A friend of mine who sails managed to get through three iPhones in four months!
The "festival phone" has become a key element of outdoor festival life; these cheap mobiles are a vital aid to communication at big outdoor events.
For those of us who work in workplaces with high security (banks, technology research, military establishments, etc.) a non-camera phone is often a requirement, and in many places of work only "dumb phones, aka feature phones" are allowed because they do not have any additional connectivity features (such as WiFi and Bluetooth) which can be exploited. Internet access in such places of work is usually prohibited, so only the most basic mobile phones are allowed: A cheap, no frills basic mobile which doesn't have a camera is the only option for many employees.
For those people who are seeking a normal, simpler life, before 24/7 social media and constant distractions existed, a dumb phone is just what you need to help prevent a build up of anxiety. Need some good reasons why you should ditch your smartphone? Take a look HERE.
Having a "burner phone" (or a spare PAYG mobile phone, if you prefer) is a very sensible idea!
Where to obtain SIM cards.
On the next page, you can find the cheapest and the best places to obtain cheap mobile phones, but you need a mobile network to use with your new phone.
If you truly want to maintain anonymity, then buying a SIM card which does not require any form of registration whatsoever is to walk into a local convenience store and buy a network SIM (don't forget a top up as well).
Petrol stations, local shops and supermarkets all sell SIM card packs (with instructions), typically for around 99p, making obtaining a "disposable" number and connection very simple and easy.
Pop the SIM into your new mobile phone, dial a phone number as per the instructions and top up using the printed voucher that you bought from the store and your PAYG account now has credit and is ready to use.
Be aware that most main Mobile Network Operators (EE, O2 and Vodafone) charge at least 30p/minute per call. Texts are priced around 14p each. Mobile data is often very expensive, too - So it's worth checking if you can buy a 30 day bundle of minutes/texts/data (which are heavily discounted in contrast to standard network prices) when you activate the SIM - There should be instructions on how to do this in the SIM pack.
Mobile network operator Three offer one of the UK's cheapest PAYG tariffs (3p/minute, 2p/text, 1p/MB of data), and they do offer an unlimited data bundle that lasts 30 days for £20.
Some shops sell other networks such as Lebara, Delight Mobile, Lyca Mobile and other virtual network SIM cards, which offer excellent rates for calling overseas.
If you wish to use your spare/burner mobile phone regularly, then it will be much more cost effective to avoid the main UK Mobile Network Operators (apart from Three) as they are expensive. Their 30 day bundles are reasonably good value (especially since top-up vouchers can be purchased in most shops), but for a much greater allocation of minutes, texts and data you should consider some of the MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who "piggyback" on the main four UK networks, but offer greatly discounted tariffs and generous 30 day bundles.
Many of these MVNOs only send out SIM cards from their websites (you won't find many of them in shops or mobile phone retailers), but the cost savings can be huge.
My sister website details all of the UK's best value PAYG networks and the 30 day bundles that they have available. Only the cheapest PAYG tariffs are selected. Monthly (30 day) bundles are listed for low, medium and high mobile users, and there is a list of mobile network reviews, which could prove beneficial to you.
There is a lot of money-saving and mobile network information available on my PAYG mobile bundle deals website, which I check and update regularly.
This website is available at the following address: mobile-networks-uk.weebly.com
But everyone should consider buying such a phone, as they could be a lifesaver in some circumstances.
The recent Channel 4 TV series Hunted demonstrated how mobile telephony can be used to good effect to pinpoint fugitives, and some of the "fugitives" in this series have been clever enough to buy burner phones to help to cover up their tracks - But they have also demonstrated just how mobile telecommunications can be used to track and trace these burner phones and pinpoint where they were used when the fugitives have called a monitored contact, such as a family member or friend.
Who Needs a Burner Phone?
Firstly, criminals find that buying a Pay As You Go (PAYG) mobile phone and calling credit using cash immediately prevents any direct link to their person and bank accounts. So, for these people, buying PAYG SIM cards and cheap mobile phones is a must, to minimise traceability. For criminal or dodgy activities, burner phones are essential.
However, with the rise of ever more expensive smartphones and mobile phone contracts, the need for a spare, cheap mobile has never been greater - yet in the western world these cheap, affordable mobile phones are becoming harder to find.
Have you ever needed a spare phone for your car, or even in your home?
Have you ever discovered that your network operator has gone down, leaving you without a mobile signal?
Do you ever need to hand a spare, reliable mobile phone to a young, old or vulnerable relative, even if it's "just in case something happens".
What about all those times when your smartphone's battery is low or empty?
What if you find yourself in an area where your mobile phone doesn't actually have any coverage? A spare mobile could be used with an alternative network's SIM.
How about your precious mobile phone? Your smartphone is not just expensive, it contains almost all of your personal information. You might insure it, have PIN codes, security access and remote lock and wipe apps set up - But if it is lost or stolen, your information (as well as that of your family, friends and contacts) still is not at all safe.
Plenty of builders and other tradesmen go through plenty of mobile phones. Tough phones are ok, but still not impervious to damage. For many tradespeople, a cheap mobile is a necessity.
Anyone into outdoor pursuits knows that their fragile, expensive smartphone is very vulnerable - A friend of mine who sails managed to get through three iPhones in four months!
The "festival phone" has become a key element of outdoor festival life; these cheap mobiles are a vital aid to communication at big outdoor events.
For those of us who work in workplaces with high security (banks, technology research, military establishments, etc.) a non-camera phone is often a requirement, and in many places of work only "dumb phones, aka feature phones" are allowed because they do not have any additional connectivity features (such as WiFi and Bluetooth) which can be exploited. Internet access in such places of work is usually prohibited, so only the most basic mobile phones are allowed: A cheap, no frills basic mobile which doesn't have a camera is the only option for many employees.
For those people who are seeking a normal, simpler life, before 24/7 social media and constant distractions existed, a dumb phone is just what you need to help prevent a build up of anxiety. Need some good reasons why you should ditch your smartphone? Take a look HERE.
Having a "burner phone" (or a spare PAYG mobile phone, if you prefer) is a very sensible idea!
Where to obtain SIM cards.
On the next page, you can find the cheapest and the best places to obtain cheap mobile phones, but you need a mobile network to use with your new phone.
If you truly want to maintain anonymity, then buying a SIM card which does not require any form of registration whatsoever is to walk into a local convenience store and buy a network SIM (don't forget a top up as well).
Petrol stations, local shops and supermarkets all sell SIM card packs (with instructions), typically for around 99p, making obtaining a "disposable" number and connection very simple and easy.
Pop the SIM into your new mobile phone, dial a phone number as per the instructions and top up using the printed voucher that you bought from the store and your PAYG account now has credit and is ready to use.
Be aware that most main Mobile Network Operators (EE, O2 and Vodafone) charge at least 30p/minute per call. Texts are priced around 14p each. Mobile data is often very expensive, too - So it's worth checking if you can buy a 30 day bundle of minutes/texts/data (which are heavily discounted in contrast to standard network prices) when you activate the SIM - There should be instructions on how to do this in the SIM pack.
Mobile network operator Three offer one of the UK's cheapest PAYG tariffs (3p/minute, 2p/text, 1p/MB of data), and they do offer an unlimited data bundle that lasts 30 days for £20.
Some shops sell other networks such as Lebara, Delight Mobile, Lyca Mobile and other virtual network SIM cards, which offer excellent rates for calling overseas.
If you wish to use your spare/burner mobile phone regularly, then it will be much more cost effective to avoid the main UK Mobile Network Operators (apart from Three) as they are expensive. Their 30 day bundles are reasonably good value (especially since top-up vouchers can be purchased in most shops), but for a much greater allocation of minutes, texts and data you should consider some of the MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who "piggyback" on the main four UK networks, but offer greatly discounted tariffs and generous 30 day bundles.
Many of these MVNOs only send out SIM cards from their websites (you won't find many of them in shops or mobile phone retailers), but the cost savings can be huge.
My sister website details all of the UK's best value PAYG networks and the 30 day bundles that they have available. Only the cheapest PAYG tariffs are selected. Monthly (30 day) bundles are listed for low, medium and high mobile users, and there is a list of mobile network reviews, which could prove beneficial to you.
There is a lot of money-saving and mobile network information available on my PAYG mobile bundle deals website, which I check and update regularly.
This website is available at the following address: mobile-networks-uk.weebly.com