In short
To get a business SIM card, gather your business details, decide how many lines and how much data you need, check coverage, choose a network and plan, and pass the network's status and credit checks. Request a PAC code to keep each existing number, then activate the physical SIM or eSIM and switch on your chosen date.
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Who can get a business SIM
Business SIMs are not only for limited companies. Networks sell business plans to sole traders, partnerships and companies, new and established. Three Business, for example, describes its business plans as being for business owners and the self-employed.
What changes between them is the information you provide and how the network checks it. A limited company is identified by its company details; a sole trader is assessed as a person running a business. A business that has only just started has less trading history, which can affect the checks. If you are not sure whether your business qualifies for a particular plan, ask: it is confirmed at quote.
Step by step
- Gather your business details: legal name and trading name, business type (sole trader, partnership or company), business address, a contact for the account and payment details. A limited company will also need its company number.
- Count your lines: phones, tablets, routers and anything else that needs a SIM, plus any you expect to add soon.
- Size the usage: use recent bills or usage reports to see how much data each person uses, including hotspotting and roaming.
- Check coverage: use each network's coverage checker for your offices, sites and the places your people travel.
- Choose a network and plan: decide between individual or shared data, the contract length and any roaming; our guide to business SIM only plans explains the options.
- Pass the network's checks: orders are subject to the network's status, credit and affordability checks.
- Request PAC codes: for each number you want to keep, text PAC to 65075 from that phone, or use the online or phone route for several numbers.
- Choose physical SIM or eSIM: physical SIMs are posted; eSIMs are activated with a QR code or remotely.
- Activate and switch: activate the new SIM, give the PAC to your new provider and agree the switch date.
- Set up the account: spend caps, roaming settings and a record of which SIM belongs to whom.
What you will need
- Business identity: legal and trading names, business type and address; a company number for a limited company
- An authorised contact: the person who can make decisions on the account
- Payment details: for the account's bills
- Your current numbers: and the network each one is on now
- Contract end dates: so you can avoid early termination charges where possible
- Device list: which phones and devices the SIMs will go into, and whether they are unlocked and support eSIM
You do not need all of this before you talk to us. If you have some of it, we can help with the rest, for example by working out usage from your current bills.
Prefer a hand with this?
We can help you plan it and set it up, alongside your own team.
Credit and status checks
Networks check a business before they open an account. O2 Business's shop states that all orders are subject to status, credit and affordability assessments, and Vodafone Business says eligibility and credit checks apply to its SIM only plans.
If you are a new business or a sole trader with a short trading history, tell us early. We can talk through which networks and plans fit, what information helps the application and, if needed, other options to look at with you.
Keeping your existing numbers
If the numbers you use now are on personal plans or another business account, you can usually bring them with you. Ofcom's switching rules let you get a PAC code by texting PAC to 65075 from the phone, or through your online account or by phone. If there is more than one number on the account, you ask your current provider by phone or on its website. Ofcom says a PAC is valid for 30 days and the number should normally be ported within one working day after your new provider has it.
The PAC is requested through the current account. If a number your business uses is on an employee's personal contract, they will need to request it. Our guides to the PAC code and porting multiple mobile numbers explain the detail.
Activation: physical SIM or eSIM
A physical SIM is posted to you. You put it in the phone, and on the switch date your number moves to it. A physical Three Business SIM arrives already activated, and Three Business recommends having the new SIM ready before the switch date so it is ready when the number moves, and notes that iPhone users need to update the number manually in the phone's settings once the transfer has completed.
An eSIM is delivered digitally. Three Business eSIMs are activated with a QR code: you scan it on the phone and the plan downloads (the first download needs an internet connection). EE Business activates eSIMs remotely. eSIM is useful for new starters and remote staff because nothing needs posting to them, and an eSIM cannot be removed if the phone is lost. Our guide to eSIM SIM only covers compatibility.
Start with Forever Group
We can take you through each of these steps: gathering usage, checking coverage, quoting on EE Business and Three Business, and on O2 Business and Vodafone Business too, managing the order and coordinating the switch of your numbers. Timings depend on the network and the number of lines, and are confirmed at quote.
Contact us to start. If you are still deciding whether you need a business account, read business SIM vs personal SIM, and for background on what you are buying, see business SIM cards.
How Forever Communications helps with business SIM only
We help UK organisations choose, switch and run business SIM only plans, data SIMs and eSIMs for the phones and devices they already own.
- Start with what you have: we look at your current contracts, end dates, users, devices and how much data people really use before suggesting anything new
- More than one network: we supply SIM only plans on EE Business and Three Business, and we can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so you can choose by coverage where your people work
- Keep your numbers: we help you plan the move with PAC codes or STAC codes so existing business mobile numbers come with you
- SIMs for every device: voice SIMs, eSIM SIM only that works with your device management, business data only SIMs for tablets, routers and vehicles, and fleet SIM cards on one account
- Controls that suit a business: we can help you set up spend caps, bars and user changes through the network's own business tools
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group. Plans, terms and pricing are confirmed at quote, so contact us and we will set out the options that fit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a business SIM card?
Gather your business details, decide how many lines and how much data you need, check coverage, choose a network and plan, and pass the network's checks. Request a PAC code for each number you want to keep, then activate the physical SIM or eSIM and switch.
Can a sole trader get a business SIM card?
Yes. Networks sell business plans to the self-employed as well as companies. Three Business, for example, sells business plans to business owners and the self-employed. You will be asked for your business details and the order is subject to checks.
Do I need a limited company to get a business SIM?
No. Sole traders, partnerships and companies can all get business SIMs. A limited company will be asked for its company details; a sole trader is assessed as a person running a business.
Is there a credit check for a business SIM?
Usually, yes. Networks check status and credit before opening a business account. O2 Business's shop says all orders are subject to status, credit and affordability assessments. Tell us early if your business is new and we can talk through the options.
How long does it take to get a business SIM?
It depends on the network, the checks and whether you choose a physical SIM or eSIM. Once your new provider has a PAC, Ofcom says the number should normally be ported within one working day. Timings for your order are confirmed at quote.
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