The best mobile phone networks in the UK right now
Whether you’re looking to buy a new phone or simply switch providers, the network you go with is crucial.
Many providers offer some of thebest phoneson contract, allowing you to split the total cost into more manageable monthly payments. In return, you’ll get an allocation of calls, texts and data to use, and usually own the handset once the contract comes to an end.
And as it’s a legal requirement for all phones to be sold unlocked in the UK, you can then easily swap to a different provider. That also applies if you’ve bought a phone outright, where a simpleSIM-only deal(offering calls, texts, data and sometimes other perks) is the way to go.
However, even if your choice of phone has narrowed things down, deciding which provider to go with can be difficult. There are only four main networks in the UK, but lots more so-called‘piggyback’ operatorsrent network space and offer deals of their own.
In this article, we’ll run through all of the ones worth considering, helping you to decide which is right for you. But if you haven’t decided which new phone to buy yet, see our guides to thebest budget phones,best mid-range phonesandbest flagship phonesfirst.
What’s the best phone network in the UK?
First, let’s have a look at the options. There are actually only four phone networks in the UK:
That could go down to three, if the proposedVodafone and Three mergergoes through. TheUK has conditionally approved it, pending the results ofan investigation, though initial findings (viaThe Guardian) indicate concerns over higher bills for customers.
However, there are lots of ‘piggyback’ providers, officially known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). They rent network space from one of the companies above, but offer their own set of contracts and specific perks. Learn more in our separate article onpiggyback phone networks.
Here are the most popular piggybackers and the network they use:
It’s worth keeping this in mind when considering which provider you’d like to use, as coverage for the network you use may differ depending on where you are in the UK.Ofcom’s coverage checkeris a useful guide, but that doesn’t guarantee good signal.
If possible, ask friends and family for their experience, or try a pay-as-you-go SIM from one of the main four networks first.
Of course, the problem with having only four networks is that if one goes down, all of its piggybackers are likely to suffer the same fate. According toRootMetrics, EE offers the most reliable service in the UK, followed by Vodafone, Three and O2.
Below, we’ll run through each of the ‘big four’ phone networks and all the providers which use their service.
EE (including BT Mobile, Lycamobile, Utility Warehouse & more)
EE’s network is comprised of the old T-Mobile and Orange frequencies, so there’s a lot of coverage nationally.
According toUswitch, 99% of the UK population are covered by 4G – the best of any network. Meanwhile, 5G is available in 50 towns and cities. UseEE’s coverage checkerto see what the service will be like where you are.
EE itself offers iPhone, Google, Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Nokia, TCL Dorophones on contract. There are also lots ofSIM-only deals, with prices currently starting at £16 per month and going all the way up to £39 per month. You can also choose between one-month, 12-month and 24-month plans.
However, EE does charge a fixed £2.47 per day to use your data for roaming in the EU and a few other countries – see the full list on theEE website.
But there are lots of other piggyback providers which use the EE network:
O2 (including Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile & more)
O2 has been operating as a phone network in the UK since 2002. And according toUswitch, you can expect almost 99% UK 3G and 4G coverage.
Understandably, 5G is more limited, and generally only available in larger towns and cities. UseO2’s coverage checkerto get an idea of what to expect.
O2 merged with Virgin Media (to make Virgin Media O2) in 2021, but there’s been no change to the core service. In fact, there are benefits available if you’d like to combine an O2 mobile contract with Virgin Media broadband in what’s known asVolt.
That’s on top of the existing perks for all O2 customers: priority booking at O2 venues, shopping and experience offers and thousands of free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Then there’s the big one –free EU roamingup to 25GB. O2 is the only one of the four main networks to have not reintroduced charges after the UK left the European Union, though plenty of piggybackers offer the same perk.
O2 offers iPhone, Doro, Google, Motorola, HMD, Honor, Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Xiaomiphones on contract. WhileSIM-only dealsrange from £15 to £44.49 per month, there are often free subscriptions included.
Here are the piggyback providers which use the O2 network:
Three (including iD Mobile, Smarty, Honest Mobile & more)
As its name suggests, Three launched back in 2003 with 3G as its big selling point. That will be turned off at the end of 2024, but the company has long since shifted to the newer connectivity standards.
It has an estimated 99% of 4G coverage, whileOoklahas rated it as the UK’s fastest 5G network. Use theThree coverage checkerto get an idea of what the service is like where you are.
Threeagreed to merge with Vodafonein June 2023, but nothing is changing for customers until the UK government makes a final decision on whether to approve it.
Three offers iPhone, Samsung, Google, Honor, Motorola, Xiaomi and Nokiaphones on contract, plusSIM-only dealsranging from £9 to £31 per month. All plans includeThree+rewards for access to event pre-sales and discounts.
However, it costs £2 per day forroamingin Europe (up to 12GB per month), or £5 or £7 per day elsewhere, depending on the country. But that’s not the case for all the piggyback providers which use Three’s network:
Vodafone (including Voxi, Asda Mobile, Lebara Mobile & more)
Vodafone was the UK’s very first cellular telephone network all the way back in 1985, but a lot has changed since then.
Its 4G service currently covers around 98% of the population, with its 5G in 46 towns and cities across the UK (plus 70 more in Europe for roaming). UseVodafone’s service checkerto get an idea what it’ll be like for you.
Threeagreed to merge with Vodafonein June 2023, but nothing is changing for customers until the UK government makes a final decision on whether to approve it.
You canbuy phones on contractfrom plenty of brands at Vodafone: iPhone, Samsung, Google, Motorola, Honor, Fairphone and Doro. SIM-only deals range from a £7 per monthBasics plan(4G only) to £48 per month for apremium option.
Some include extra benefits, such as free subscriptions or included EU roaming. Most people will have to pay £2.42 extra per day forEU roaming, though you can get 8-day (£12) or 15-day (£17) passes that work out cheaper.
But not all of Vodafone’s piggyback providers charge extra for roaming:
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Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
