In short
Business SIM only puts your calls, texts and data on a plan of their own. We focus on getting those airtime costs down, so your business can buy phones separately, outright or through its usual procurement. That can save a lot of money and lets you refresh devices when it suits you, rather than tying refreshes to a contract.
Want an impartial recommendation?
Tell us about your users, systems and priorities and we will tell you which option fits, and why.
Airtime and phones, kept separate
A business SIM only plan pays for the mobile service and nothing else: UK calls, texts and data on the SIM or eSIM, plus any roaming or add-ons you choose. The phones are a separate decision. You keep the ones you have, buy new ones outright, or buy them through the supplier and process your business already uses for laptops and other equipment.
Keeping the two apart makes each one simpler. The airtime can be sized, priced and reviewed on its own merits, line by line. The phones can be chosen, bought and replaced on a timetable that suits your business. The aim is a lean airtime plan, with devices bought sensibly and kept in service for as long as they do the job well.
Why we focus on airtime
Airtime is the cost that repeats on every line, every month, for the whole term. Small differences in allowance, term and controls add up across a team, which is why we put our effort there. When we prepare a quote we:
- Size each line on real usage: from recent bills or usage reports, so nobody pays for headroom they never use
- Choose the right structure: individual allowances, shared data or unlimited data, depending on how your people work
- Match the term to your plans: 24-month, 12-month or rolling monthly, depending on the network
- Find the lines nobody uses: old numbers and forgotten data SIMs that can be ended at the right point in their term
- Quote on more than one network: we supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business
- Set the controls: spend caps and roaming settings so the monthly cost stays predictable
Our guide to business SIM only deals explains how we compare options on total cost over the term rather than the headline monthly price.
What keeping them separate gives you
| Area | With airtime on business SIM only |
|---|---|
| The monthly charge | Airtime only: calls, texts, data and the add-ons you choose |
| Your phones | Bought separately, outright or through your usual procurement |
| Device refresh | When you choose: phone by phone, team by team or all at once |
| Choice of device | Any compatible, unlocked phone that suits the role |
| Plan reviews | Allowances and lines reviewed as the team changes, within the contract terms |
| Typical terms | 24-month, 12-month or rolling monthly, depending on the network |
The detail of terms and charges varies between networks and plans, and is confirmed at quote.
Still not sure which way to go? Ask us
Tell us what matters most to you and we will recommend one, with the trade-offs explained.
When SIM only makes sense
- Your phones still have life in them: if handsets are secure, supported with updates and doing the job, keep them in service
- You buy devices centrally: many IT teams prefer to buy, configure and replace phones on their own schedule
- You want to choose the devices: different roles can have different phones, bought to the specification each role needs
- You want flexible terms: SIM only comes on fixed terms and, on some networks, rolling monthly plans
- Headcount changes often: SIM only lines are simple to add and remove as the team changes
- The device is not a phone: tablets, routers and laptops need a business data only SIM
Our business SIM only plans guide explains the plan types you can choose from.
Buying your phones separately
Buying phones separately puts the device decisions back with your business. You can buy outright through your usual procurement, refresh in batches when budgets allow, keep phones in service while they still receive security updates, and choose a model that suits each role.
It also fits the way most IT teams already manage equipment. Phones can be bought, enrolled in device management and replaced on the same schedule as laptops, and the SIM or eSIM simply moves to the new phone. Our sister site covers business mobile devices and device management, and our guide to eSIM SIM only explains how an eSIM moves to a replacement phone.
Weighing up the options?
We can compare them against your own requirements and recommend what fits.
Moving your lines to SIM only
Moving a team to SIM only is mostly about timing. Before you switch:
- Find the end date of each line's current agreement. Lines on the same account can end at different times.
- Check the phones. Are they still receiving security updates, and are their batteries and screens in good condition?
- Check that each phone is unlocked if you are changing network. If it is locked to the current network, ask that network to unlock it.
- Decide whether to keep each number. Request a PAC code to keep it, or a STAC code to end the line.
- Ask us for quotes on SIM only plans and time the switch around each end date.
Ofcom says your provider must send information about any early termination charges with your PAC, so you can see the position before you decide when to move.
Unlocked phones and compatibility
SIM only depends on your phones working on the network you choose. Check these before you switch:
- Unlocked: a phone locked to one network will not accept another network's SIM. Ask the current network to unlock it before you switch.
- eSIM support: if you want an eSIM, the phone must support eSIM. Many recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models do, but check each model; see eSIM SIM only.
- 5G: a 5G plan only gives 5G on a 5G-capable phone in an area with 5G coverage; see 5G SIM only for business.
Three Business notes that to use two networks on one dual SIM phone, the device must be unlocked. If you are not sure about your handsets, list the makes and approximate ages and we can help you work out which ones are suitable.
Getting advice on your lines
Most businesses end up with a mix of voice SIMs for staff phones and data only SIMs for tablets and routers, all on one account. The aim is to get the airtime right for every line, while you choose and refresh the devices on your own schedule.
We can look at your current agreements, usage and devices and suggest which lines to move to SIM only, and when. Contact us and ask us for a quote. Our guide to business SIM only contracts explains terms and timing.
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
Why buy business phones separately from the airtime?
Buying phones separately, outright or through your usual procurement, can save a lot of money and lets you choose when to refresh devices. The airtime then sits on a business SIM only plan that we help you keep as lean as your team's usage allows.
Is SIM only a contract?
Yes, usually. A business SIM only plan is still an agreement with a minimum term, often 24 or 12 months, but it covers airtime only. Networks also sell rolling monthly SIM only plans, such as Three Business's 1-month SIM Only plans.
Can I keep my existing phones on business SIM only?
Yes, as long as each phone works on the network you choose. Check that it is unlocked, request a PAC code if you want to keep the number, and time the move around the end date of its current agreement.
Do I need an unlocked phone for SIM only?
You need an unlocked phone if you are moving to a different network. If you stay on the same network, a locked phone usually works with the new SIM. Ask your current network to unlock a phone before you switch.
When should a business refresh its phones?
When it suits you. With airtime on SIM only, you can replace phones when they stop receiving security updates or no longer do the job, in batches or one at a time, and the SIM or eSIM moves to the new phone.
Still deciding?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.
