Compare All UK Mobile Networks

At a glance: MNOs vs MVNOs

The UK has four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) who own and run their own mast infrastructure: O2 (VMO2), Three (VodafoneThree), EE (BT Group) and Vodafone (VodafoneThree). Everyone else — Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, giffgaff, iD Mobile, VOXI, Asda Mobile, Lebara and BT Mobile — is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that rents capacity on one of these four networks.

Full comparison table

Network	Type	Network Used	4G	5G Pop.	EU Roaming	Annual Rises	Key Strength
O2	MNO	Own	99%	~70%	✓ Free 25GB	£2.50/mo Apr	Priority rewards, free EU roaming
Three	MNO	Own	99%	~62%	49–160+ countries	£1.80–1.90/mo	Fastest 5G, Go Roam worldwide
EE	MNO	Own	99%	87%+	From Ess. Plus+	£2.50/mo Mar	Widest 5G, Inclusive Extras
Vodafone	MNO	Own	99%	Growing	Xtra plans only	£2.50/mo Apr	Global Roam 84 countries
Tesco Mobile	MVNO	O2	99%	Via O2	✓ Free 25GB	None (Clubcard plans)	#1 satisfaction, Clubcard points
Sky Mobile	MVNO	O2	99%	Via O2	Daily add-on	RPI (30d notice)	Piggybank 3-yr rollover
Lebara	MVNO	Vodafone	99%	Via Voda	✓ Free 30GB	None	Free int'l calls 50+ countries
iD Mobile	MVNO	Three	99%	Via Three	✓ Free 30GB	None (SIM Only)	Data rollover, 50-dest roaming
VOXI	MVNO	Vodafone	99%	Via Voda	✕ Daily pass	N/A (rolling)	Endless social/music/video
Asda Mobile	MVNO	Vodafone	99%	Via Voda	Free 5GB	None	Asda Rewards cashback
giffgaff	MVNO	O2	99%	Via O2	Free 5GB	N/A (rolling)	No contract, community support
BT Mobile	MVNO	EE	99%	Via EE	TBC	N/A (rolling)	BT broadband bundle (2026 relaunch)

Which network is best for you?

Best for EU roaming: O2 or Tesco Mobile

O2 is the only major MNO still including free EU roaming (25GB) on all plans. Tesco Mobile (on O2's network) also includes it free. Lebara and iD Mobile give 30GB free EU roaming. giffgaff and Asda Mobile give 5GB free.

Best for fastest speeds: EE

EE has led independent UK speed tests for 10+ years. Best for streaming, gaming and large file downloads. Three has the fastest 5G peak speeds but slower average combined speeds.

Best for widest 5G coverage: EE

EE covers 87%+ of the population with 5G. O2 covers 77%+. Three covers 62%+ but is expanding fast post-merger with Vodafone.

Best for value and no price rises: Lebara, iD Mobile, or Tesco Mobile

Lebara and iD Mobile both pledge no annual price rises. Tesco Mobile's Clubcard plans lock in prices. All three typically undercut the major networks on equivalent data.

Best for international calls: Lebara

Free calls to 50+ countries on every plan — unbeatable for customers calling abroad regularly.

Best for data rollover: iD Mobile or Sky Mobile

iD Mobile rolls data to the next month. Sky Mobile's Piggybank stores data for up to 3 years.

Best for social media users: VOXI

Endless Social data means Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and others don't use your data allowance at all.

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