Was forced to use WhatsApp a while ago and didn’t want to give Facebook my phone number.

Got a pretty cheap prepaid SIM, forced myself through the KYC, used it for close to a year without issues. Now they want me to top it up with at least 15€ to avoid cancelation. Surely there’s a cheaper way?

Edit: Looking to buy one in Germany

  • Salamander@mander.xyz
    2·
    2 days ago

    In NL, one option is to get one of these: https://top06.nl/products/lyca-mobile-simkaart-5-euro-beltegoed

    It is also possible to buy one of these with cash from many shops.

    This one lasts 6 months each. You can buy several of these and replace every 6 months if you don’t mind changing the phone number, or top-up €5 every ~6 months. You can buy the 5 euro top-up code in person from many shops, using cash, or online in a website like this one: https://kaartdirect.nl/beltegoed/lycamobile

      • Salamander@mander.xyz
        5·
        2 days ago

        I looked up LycaMobile in Germany and was surprised to find you have an entire ‘Prepaid SIM’ wiki, ha! https://www.prepaid-wiki.de/tarife/Lyca_Mobile

        Germany is not too far from NL. I think you can just order a Dutch SIM card. If all you want is for it to be active, I don’t think it would be a problem as you would not actually use roaming services. Just top up via code every 5.5 months or so by dialing 101CODE#

        I have not tested this myself so there may be some special rules I am not aware of, but I have often kept phone numbers abroad for years - just not Germany specifically

        • funkycarrot@discuss.tchncs.deOP
          2·
          1 day ago

          Hm, was expecting there to be some kind of artificial hurdle preventing me from getting a foreign SIM. But looks like I can just choose any SIM I like (read: minimal top up fees) from a country without annoying KYC regulations. The shipping fees to Germany for the shop linked above are reasonable.

          Will report back if I find a cheaper deal in case someone else is interested. Thanks!