Best Mobile Networks in UK: 2023 Comprehensive Comparison

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Choosing the best mobile network in the UK can be a daunting task with so many options available. This comprehensive comparison of UK mobile networks will help you make an informed decision about which network is right for you. We have compared the top mobile networks in the UK based on factors such as coverage, price, and customer service to help you find the best mobile network for your needs.

Table

1. Understanding Mobile Networks
   1. 3G, 4G, and 5G: The Generations of Mobile Networks
2. Big Four UK Mobile Networks
   1. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
3. Table of Mobile Network Providers
4. Choosing the Best Mobile Network in the UK
5. Which Mobile Phone Network is the Best?
6. What Makes a Which? Recommended Provider?
7. Who are the Biggest UK Mobile Networks?
8. Who Powers Mobile Networks Such as GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile?
9. More details about the big UK mobile phone companies: Which one is right for me?
   1. Asda Mobile Review
   2. BT Mobile Review
   3. EE Mobile Review
   4. Giffgaff Mobile Review
   5. iD Mobile Review
   6. Lebara Mobile Review
   7. O2 Mobile Review
   8. Plusnet Mobile Review
   9. Sky Mobile Review
   10. Smarty Mobile Review
   11. Talkmobile Review
   12. Tesco Mobile Review
   13. Three (3) Mobile Review
   14. Virgin Mobile Review
   15. Vodafone Mobile Review
   16. Voxi Review
10. O2 Mobile Network
    1. Pros and Cons
11. Vodafone Mobile Network
    1. Pros and Cons
12. EE Mobile Network
    1. Pros and Cons
13. All Mobile Networks
    1. Three Mobile Network
    2. Tesco Mobile Network
    3. iD Mobile Network
    4. Talkmobile Network
    5. GiffGaff Mobile Network

Understanding Mobile Networks

A mobile network is the infrastructure that enables your phone and other mobile devices, such as tablets, to connect with each other and to the internet. The network is made up of interconnected cellular receivers (mobile phone towers) and base stations. Base stations direct mobile traffic, much like air traffic control for airports. Towers and base stations work together to deliver coverage to users. All providers use the same network but, to minimize interference, they use slightly different frequencies.

3G, 4G, and 5G: The Generations of Mobile Networks

The G stands for ‘generation’, and 3G refers to the third generation of mobile technology, 4G to the fourth generation, and 5G to the fifth generation. The greatest shift came with 3G, which enabled mobile phone users to send digital messages including images, video, and email, as well as access the internet. Fundamentally, 3G paved the way for smartphones and the wireless technology many of us now take for granted. After 3G came 4G, which allowed data to be sent and received at speeds to rival most broadband connections. Even more recent is the rollout of 5G, which is already available in a number of towns and cities in the UK and will allow for even faster data speeds.

Big Four UK Mobile Networks

In the UK, there are four major mobile providers, also known as the ‘Big Four’, which own slices of the UK mobile spectrum (the physical signal your phone receives). These are:

• EE mobile – Born out of the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, and now owned by BT, this telecoms giant is the largest with around 32 million customers.
• O2 mobile – Just behind EE is O2, which is owned by Spanish telecoms company Telefonica. It has around 24 million customers.
• Vodafone mobile – Despite dominating the telecoms market in other countries, Vodafone is third in the UK with around 17.5 million customers.
• Three mobile – Owned by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Three is the last of the Big Four networks with approximately 9.9 million customers in the UK.

These four networks are the only ones that own the UK mobile spectrum, and as such, other providers have to partner with one of these four mobile networks and use their signal to power their Sims, a practice known as ‘piggybacking’.

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

MVNOs are providers that don't own their own mobile network and rent space from the Big Four instead – an agreement known as piggybacking. Examples of MVNOs include Asda Mobile and Plusnet Mobile. Some of the larger virtual network operators in the UK include Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, BT Mobile, Sky Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and iD Mobile.

Table of Mobile Network Providers

Choosing the Best Mobile Network in the UK

When choosing the best mobile network in the UK, it is important to consider factors such as coverage, price, and customer service. This comprehensive comparison of UK mobile networks has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision about which network is right for you. By evaluating the top mobile networks in the UK and taking into account their contract lengths, data allowances, and prices, you can find the best mobile network for your needs.

With the increasing usage of mobile phones, it is crucial to have a reliable mobile network with strong signals, high speeds, and excellent customer service. At Which?, we regularly survey customers of the biggest mobile phone networks in the UK. Our detailed analysis of different aspects of a mobile network service, including customer service and value for money, can help you make an informed choice about your next provider.

Which Mobile Phone Network is the Best?

In various satisfaction surveys, over 3,300 customers of 16 of the biggest contract, Sim-only, and pay-as-you-go (PAYG) providers, including EE mobile review, O2 mobile review, Vodafone mobile review, and Three mobile review, have been interviewed. Six providers performed exceptionally well, earning the title of Which? Recommended Providers. These surveys reveal:

• Which mobile phone networks were rated as Which? Recommended Providers
• Quotes from real customers on their experiences
• Each network's UK coverage
• Each provider's deals and incentives

What Makes a Which? Recommended Provider?

To become a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP), mobile networks have to offer more than just excellent service to customers. We also perform a price analysis as part of the WRP calculation. Any providers with prices higher than the market average cannot become WRPs, even if they have a great customer score.

Who are the Biggest UK Mobile Networks?

There are four major mobile providers in the UK, all of whom are household names when it comes to mobile networks:

• EE mobile review – Born out of the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, and now owned by BT, this telecoms giant is the largest with around 32 million customers.
• O2 mobile review – Just behind EE is O2, which is owned by Spanish telecoms company Telefonica. It has around 24 million customers.
• Vodafone mobile review – Despite dominating the telecoms market in other countries, Vodafone is third in the UK with around 17.5 million customers.
• Three mobile review – Owned by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Three is the last of the Big Four networks with approximately 9.9 million customers in the UK.

These four networks, often called the ‘Big Four,’ are the only ones that own slices of the UK mobile spectrum (which is the physical signal your phone receives) and, as such, other providers have to partner with one of these four mobile networks and use their signal to power their Sims, a practice known as ‘piggybacking’.

Who Powers Mobile Networks Such as GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile?

Because the Big Four mobile networks have a monopoly on the mobile spectrum, other networks have to partner with one of these networks to power their Sims. Providers such as these are called MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), and examples of MVNOs include Asda Mobile and Plusnet Mobile. Our list below shows you which of the major mobile networks power some of the largest MVNOs:

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• EE: BT Mobile, Plusnet Mobile, Utility Warehouse
• O2: GiffGaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile
• Vodafone: Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, Voxi, Virgin Mobile
• Three: ID Mobile, Smarty

More details about the big UK mobile phone companies: Which one is right for me?

Here is more information about these mobile companies so that you can form an opinion about which one is best for you. This is a quick overview of who's who in the mobile phone networks operating in the UK. If you continue reading you will find a section with pros and cons of the most popular ones.

Asda Mobile Review

Asda Mobiledeals

BT Mobile Review

After returning to the mobile market in 2015 following its acquisition of EE, BT Mobile is still finding its feet in the mobile market. BT Mobile offers both contract and Sim-only deals to its customers, with BT broadband customers receiving an extra £5 off a month.

EE Mobile Review

Born out of the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, and now owned by BT, telecoms giant EE is now the largest mobile phone provider in the UK. It offers a range of contract, Sim-only, and PAYG deals. EE customers also get free access to the BT Sport app for the first three months, as well as access to 'Smart benefit' rewards when you take out a pay-monthly deal, whether Sim-only or contract.

Giffgaff Mobile Review

Giffgaff has been around for almost 10 years now and has firmly established itself in the mobile network market as a low-cost, no-frills network. Giffgaff mainly offers 30-day Sim-only plans called ‘goodybags’ and some of the lowest PAYG rates available. Part of the reason costs are kept so low is that there is no customer service call center and all non-account-related issues have to be raised in the Giffgaff community, where other customers help answer your questions (there are also chat agents for specific account-related issues).

iD Mobile Review

Carphone WarehouseSamsung Galaxys

Lebara Mobile Review

Initially founded in 2001 as a provider of international prepaid calling cards, and then a mobile network focusing on international calls, Lebara has revamped its Sim-only offering in recent years to become a low-cost Sim-only provider. Lebara offers Sim-only deals with a mix of UK and international calls to over 40 countries such as the USA, Canada, India, and Australia as well as UK data and texts. Customers also can roam free in India as well as the standard EU countries. All packages are on a 30-day rolling plan, and Lebara runs on the Vodafone network.

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O2 Mobile Review

Another of the Big Four companies, O2 offers a large range of deals and can give customers the latest smartphones available on the market. Refresh deals split the cost of the smartphone and airtime, meaning that you never over pay for your contract once it has finished. Also, O2's Refresh allows you to control every aspect of the deal, including length, data allowance, and upfront cost. The Priority app also allows O2 customers exclusive access to special deals, freebies, and concert tickets before anyone else.

Plusnet Mobile Review

Despite being traditionally known as a broadband provider, BT's ownership of Plusnet means that Plusnet is also able to offer mobile services to its customers. Although not a major player in the mobile network market, Plusnet still offers inexpensive Sim-only deals, which last 30 days and are flexible, meaning you can change your package easily, depending on your needs. If you're a Plusnet broadband customer, you're able to get a data boost of 2GB.

Sky Mobile Review

Telecoms giant Sky went live with its mobile offering in 2017, using the O2 network to power its service. Sky TV customers can get the best deals here, with unlimited streaming available if you have a Sky TV package, although data rollover for up to three years is available to all customers.

Smarty Mobile Review

As Three's low-cost virtual network, Smarty's mission is to offer ultra-cheap Sim-only packages with very little in the way of extras. That said, Smarty does offer three data discount plans, whereby the cost of unused data is refunded at a cost of 1p per MB, up to £3 if you use 1GB or less. Smarty's customer service and account management are 100% online and are primarily handled through a mixture of forums and live chat.

Talkmobile Review

Talkmobile is another low-cost virtual network with a sparse but cost-effective offering of Sim-only deals. Don't expect call center customer service or extensive incentives, but if you're looking for a cheap, simple package of data, minutes, and texts, Talkmobile might be suitable.

Tesco Mobile Review

Although Tesco is best known for being the biggest supermarket chain in the UK, Tesco Mobile has grown its base to more than five million customers and has become a real contender in the mobile network market, offering some good deals to customers. Offering contract phones, Sim-only, and PAYG plans, Tesco Mobile's plans are fairly inexpensive and now include 5G plans. Tesco Mobile customers can also collect Clubcard points with its packages and use them in-store or redeem them for vouchers to spend on special rewards.

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Three (3) Mobile Review

The smallest of the big four mobile networks, Three is known for offering data-heavy deals for lightweight prices. Most plans come with Go Roam Around the World, which allows you to call and text the UK as well as use up to 12GB of your allowance in more than 70 countries, including Australia and the US, depending on the package you select.

Virgin Mobile Review

As the world's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has been offering mobile services for almost 20 years and uses Vodafone's network to power its mobile service. Now under the Virgin Media umbrella, Virgin Mobile attempts to compete with the big players by offering the latest contract smartphones and Sim-only deals. Virgin Mobile customers also have the ability to use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter in the UK and not use up any of their allowance, although voice and video calls through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are excluded.

Vodafone Mobile Review

Another of the four mobile giants, Vodafone has been offering its services for more than 30 years in the UK and has its own network in which to do so. Vodafone also has more than 75 destinations where you can roam free of charge, including Australia, Canada, and the US, more than any other UK network. Although, this is only available on the more expensive tariffs.

Voxi Review

Launched with the intention of attracting younger generations, Voxi offers an extensive range of phone and Sim-only contracts and deals. Voxi's main attraction is its endless social media and video streaming incentives, where using apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Netflix will not eat into your data allowance.

Below is a table with the pros and cons of each network. We hope you find it useful

Check out the deals in the official Tesco online shop

Recommendations You Can Trust

Which? is independent. We work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our recommendations are only influenced by our test and survey results. We're not influenced by third parties, and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.

Remember to read any terms and conditions carefully, especially around unlimited data use. Many mobile providers have fair use policies, which can limit your use or slow it down between certain hours if you exceed a certain amount, even if you have an unlimited data plan.

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable information to make the best decision when choosing your mobile network provider in the UK. Happy searching and may you find the perfect match for your mobile needs!

If you would like to know other articles similar to Best Mobile Networks in UK: 2023 Comprehensive Comparison updated this year 2024 you can visit the category Price of living in the UK.