Also, don't most pre-pay SIMs have an online top-up service, usually made available automatically if you try to use data without having any credit. As well as t

Also, don't most pre-pay SIMs have an online top-up service, usually made available automatically if you try to use data without having any credit. As well as that, most ATMs have an option for 'top up mobile' here in the UK, and pretty much every corner shop will sell you a top-up voucher. Or, of course, you just try dialing a number without having any credit, and you're forwarded to the automatic top-up line. The idea that one has to return to the shop you purchased the SIM from is insane, in fact, there are many places where this is impossible, for example the local pound store sells all manner of SIM cards for GBP 1.00 (identification? nope, but here, have a pound coin...) but don't do top ups. If you want the future, look at software SIM cards or e-SIMs [0] (like the Apple one[1] in the latest iPad) which can be provisioned remotely.[2][3] [0] http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/embedded-sim/ http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/embedded-sim/ [1] http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/apple-sim/ http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/apple-sim/ [2] http://www.gsma.com/rsp/frequently-asked-questions-gsmas-remote-sim-provisioning/ http://www.gsma.com/rsp/frequently-asked-questions-gsmas-rem... [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_SIM_provisioning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_SIM_provisioning