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I'm from the UK going on a long trip on which I'll be using local SIM cards for my phone. While I won't be using my UK mobile number during this trip, I want it still to be there when I get back, to avoid the inconvenience of memorising a new number, getting all family friends and contacts to store the new number, etc etc.

I've heard that UK mobile phone providers will permanently, irreversibly cancel a UK mobile number if it is not used for "a few" months, and that their policies all vary widely - e.g. some require an actual connected phone call while others allow missed calls or text messages, with some it's three months, others it's vague and undefined, etc.

No phone shop staff seem to know what these policies are other than that they exist, and nor do call centre staff. If they are published on mobile network provider websites, I can't find them.

What can people do when travelling for long periods like this to stop their numbers being turned off?

JoErNanO
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user56reinstatemonica8
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2 Answers2

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If you have a monthly bill, just keep paying the bill. If you have a pay-as-you-go plan, top up your credit every month or three.

Put the UK SIM card in every once in a while and make a 2-second call. Won't you want to check your voice messages every now and then?

Above all, read your service agreement and/or call your mobile provider's service center to find out what their actual policy is.

phoog
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Leave your old sim card with someone at home. Ask him to boot with it once a fortnight, perhaps checking for critical messages. He can also help set up call forwarding for you after you get your travel number.

JDługosz
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