O2 revamps Sim-only tariffs for end-of-contract iPhone owners

O2 is looking to win over eBay buyers who've picked up a second-hand iPhone or another make of smartphone. Today it launched new 'Simplicity' Sim-only tarrifs aimed at people who aren't looking for a new handset.

The packages will also encourage iPhone owners who've come to the end of their contract to stay with the cellco, O2 undoubtedly hopes.

Prices start at £15 a month, which includes 300 minutes' call time, unlimited texting, unlimited data and unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot use. Monthly subs run to £45, which puts no limit on the bundled call minutes.

Those rates tie the subscriber to a 12-month contract. If you want to be bound for only 30 days, you'll pay an extra fiver a month for the same airtime, text and Wi-Fi limits.

O2 said punters can add internet tethering to their subs for £10 a month - with a 3GB data transfer limit - or £2 a day, which appears to grant you 10GB of data in 30-day period.

The carrier applied the same price structure for other smartphone Sim-only packages with the same call time, text and data limits, but not bundled Wi-Fi hotspot access.

Vodafone introduced a similar Sim-only tariff rejig earlier this month. ®