O2 is closing down service used by thousands of customers today

A major mobile provider is closing down a service used by thousands of customers. O2 is axing a key service used by thousands of customers within weeks and is set to shut down its pay-as-you-go data and iPad SIM services.

These plans were particularly useful for those who needed occasional access on their tablets via mobile data when they couldn't connect via WiFi. The decision follows recent reports by ISPreview, which revealed that O2 had already stopped selling these SIMs to new customers in August.

The Data SIMs allowed customers to choose from a selection of plans, each with a different allowance and expiry period. For example, you could pay £3 for 1GB (GigaByte) but that had to be used within a 24-hour period, or alternatively you’d pay £10 for 2GB lasting 90 days, then £20 for 8GB lasting 90 days or £30 for 12GB that lasted for 12-months.

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In an email to customers, O2 said: "We’re sorry to let you know that we’re removing our Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband & iPad services from our portfolio on 31 January 2025. Our customer account management portal will be closing on 17 December 2024 so if you want to check your remaining allowances, please do this before 17 December 2024.

"You can continue to use your service until 31 January 2025, after which time your service shall cease. As you are a Pay As You Go customer, you’re able to leave your service at any time with no Early Termination Charges. In order to obtain a refund for any data not used on your account, you’ll need to call O2 customer services on 0344 8090222 to provide your contact details so we can process your refund request.

"If you’re interested in alternative plans for iPad, tablets and mobile broadband, please click here to discover our great value Pay Monthly SIMs instead."