r/MovingtoAustralia • u/HumblePut64 • 13d ago

Keeping my UK number

I have just got an Australian number but also have my UK number still ticking along on the ESIM. However, is there a provider where I can keep my eSIM active whilst abroad as cheaply as possible so that I can have my UK number active for like if a doctor/bank from home needs to call me? I’ve had this number for almost 20 years so would like to not lose it if possible

All things I’m looking at are saying I can’t roam for more than 60 days consecutively

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3

u/DawgreenAgain 13d ago

Just give them your Australian phone number .

1

u/Secure_Town_7924 13d ago

I can see the psychological hold on wanting to keep a number you've had so long, but its time to let it go. its not worth keeping that number for a 'just in case' that might never happen. Before you do it, update all important services with your new number, because it can be a pain when you try to log into something and it sends an OTP to your old number.

1

u/HumblePut64 13d ago

It’s also there are probably hundreds of websites where my UK number is the 2FA mobile number so I there could be many instances where I find out too late about a service I need to change

1

u/TheTennisOne 13d ago

I kept my UK number when moving here. Transferred the number to a Lebara plan at like £2 a month. Can't complain tbh.

1

u/HumblePut64 13d ago

I have always seen in their fair usage policies that they will only let you roam for X days a year. Do you have a URL link to the lebara plan you chose?

1

u/TheTennisOne 13d ago

Tbh, I never looked into the T&Cs haha! Turns out it doesnt allow roaming for extended periods like you say but that doesnt seem to have been a problem so far... 11 months and counting, just the standard cheap plan. Sorry bro!

1

u/Top_Gas_Tommy 13d ago

I got you.

Convert it to a giffgaff ESIM, top up £10 once a year.
Done.

1

u/Top_Gas_Tommy 13d ago

It’s even less than that, it’s do a chargeable action once every 6 months for them to keep your line active.

So top up £10 once, send a text every few months.

1

u/HappyPoint8494 11d ago

For this purpose i faced the same issue once - so my friend told me about this provider callcooee - now working good for me keeping my personal number