When you first arrived in the UK, were you confused by the variety of phone cards? So, how to choose the right Pr phone cards for you? Now let's talk about mobile operators in the UK.
01
Britain's four largest mobile phone networks
Three
In recent years, Three has become a haven for those who need a lot of data. It has the cheapest price for unlimited data and is generally the cheapest option in the 30GB + range, and while it can't quite keep up with EE or Vodafone's speed, its affordability is its key selling point.
For Internet speed or other myriad incentives (e.g.
Offers free coffee, holiday discounts, etc.) Three is the best for users who don't need it. Instead, Three offers the most data at the lowest possible price.
However, Three does make up for this slightly with its travel incentives. It offers free roaming in 71 countries and a range of travel incentives, such as early baggage pickup using EasyJet.
Three is suitable for users with the following demand characteristics:
You need a lot of data.
Low budget
Often travel
EE
EE is a hugely popular mobile network operator in the UK, with extremely fast 4G speeds, and was the first to install a 5G connection with maximum coverage. At a premium in its industry, EE would be perfect for users who don't mind paying more for network reliability. EE, meanwhile, makes up for this with its big data options, lots of free subscriptions, high Internet speeds and excellent customer service.
For example, many free subscriptions to BT Sport, Apple Music, BritBox and more will be available when users sign up for a "SIM Only" deal, all for a total of around £220.
EE also rewards families for signing up together, allowing data to be shared between users' different devices and offering an additional 10% discount for each device added.
EE is suitable for users with the following requirements:
High Internet speeds are required
Hope to pack a lot of free subscriptions.
Don't mind paying more for network reliability and versatility.
O2
O2 is very similar to Vodafone. It's not as cheap as Three, or as market-leading in speed and features as EE, but it neutralizes the strengths of both.
Like Vodafone, O2's Priority scheme is also an excellent rewards system, offering plenty of free gifts throughout the contract - especially for music fans. In addition, O2's big advantage is that it has Wi-Fi networks scattered across the UK. O2 has more than 15,000 Wi-Fi locations across the UK, which can be used in cafes, shops, restaurants and more. This means that customers who buy O2's excellent data packages will always be able to use the network when they are out and about.
In terms of speed, O2 performance is very similar to Vodafone. In a 2019 report, it was revealed that Vodafone and O2 have almost identical output in terms of video experience, 4G availability, latency and upload speed.
Like the other three, O2 has recently upped its game considerably. Prices have fallen, data packages have improved and incentives have improved. O2's priority rewards allow users to get tickets to shows, free coffee, games and more in advance. Users keen to attend live events will find O2's occasional offers on tickets and reservations a major motivator.
O2 is suitable for users with the following demand characteristics:
Live music fans are hoping to get tickets
You need a Wi-Fi connection when you're out and about.
Look for comprehensive plans at reasonable prices
Vodafone
Vodafone seems to be a mobile network operator that does well on all fronts. Like Three, it can keep prices reasonable even when users venture into big data plans. But it is also following in the footsteps of EE, which is attracting more and more users across the UK at an impressive rate, with attractive rewards schemes and well-developed apps.
If Three is a moderate, more affordable option and EE is a pricey but feature-rich network, Vodafone can be an overreach between the two. Vodafone is perfect for users who like EE but don't want to pay its price but find Three's offer too simplistic.
When users sign up for Vodafone, they have access to the network's application, which manages data caps, adds advanced security features (for an extra charge), keeps tabs on the amount of data remaining and uses the VeryMe features. VeryMe is Vodafone's secret weapon. It aims to overtake O2's preferred rewards scheme by offering free coffee, contests, discount codes, data boosts and more. Vodafone often partners with well-known companies and even offers special deals every Friday, offering deep discounts to subscribers.
Vodafone covers a number of different data caps and, like Three, can easily go from 1GB to unlimited, with lots of options in between. Although Vodafone is generally not as cheap as Three, it often gets cashback from third-party retailers (Mobiles.co. uk, for example) and Fonehouse. This means Vodafone is a good value option if customers don't mind relying on cashback.
Vodafone is suitable for users with the following need characteristics:
Interested in a wide variety of data, prices and benefit packages
Look for strong discount rewards programs
Those who like EE are put off by its price.
Future sauce said
In addition to the above four physical operators, some [virtual mobile phone carriers] are also very popular. They don't have physical stores, but their prices are low and their customers are mostly students. Giffgaff, for example, has a large student user base in the UK, is affordable, easy to buy and does not need to sign up for a package.
Many students choose China Mobile's CMlink card, which can be purchased in China. In this way, when they land in Britain, they can use the traffic to inform their relatives and friends in China that they are safe. At the same time, it also supports one card and multiple numbers. If you are overseas, you can receive SMS and voice from China Mobile in mainland China with a CMLink UK SIM card, which is very convenient. If you did not open a CMLINK card number, or use a CMLINK card is not, do not forget to open the domestic mobile phone number roaming when in the country, so that the UK can also receive domestic software verification code.
02
Three mobile card models in the UK
Pay As You Go
You can pay as you go. That means you can just "top up" your phone with a credit line when necessary. It doesn't have monthly bills or complicated contracts.
Choosing a PAY-AS-YOU-GO deal over a PAY-AS-YOU-GO phone contract has many advantages. Phone contracts can lead us to pay unnecessarily for minutes, texts or data we don't want or need, while pay-as-you-go deals give us complete control over the money spent on mobile phone use. If you decide to upgrade to a phone contract, simply opt for a "SIM-only" deal and you can keep your phone while still keeping your payments low.
Pay-as-you-go deals are also a good option if you have a poor credit rating (pay-as-you-go deals do not require credit checks), are visiting the UK temporarily, or simply do not want to be tied down to a contract.
SIM Only
"SIM Only" deals provide users with a SIM card that includes a certain amount of data, phone and text messages, and then the option to sign a contract for a month, a year or two. Of course, the longer the contract term, the lower the average monthly price.
There are usually two ways to buy SIM only: directly from a mobile network operator or through a third-party platform.
The advantage of buying SIM Only transactions directly from a mobile network operator is that users often receive certain freebies and discounts. Third party websites, such as Mobiles.co.uk and Affordable Mobiles, offer lower prices and make it easier for users to compare plans from different mobile network operators. The downside is that discounts are usually made through automatic or manual cashback, which also involves sending a copy of the phone bill to apply.
Contract Phone Plan
A contract phone is a contract phone. Most contracts in the UK are for 12 or 24 months, providing users with a mobile phone and a monthly allowance for calls, data and text messages.
When choosing to sign a contract, users simply choose the package you think is best for them and pay a fixed price each month. The benefit of a contract phone is that the user never has to think about topping up the phone or worrying about credit. Even if you find yourself using up the minutes covered in your contract, you can still use your phone to make calls or send text messages, and you will be charged for those calls and text messages at the end of the month.
For many people, the free phone is the main advantage of a contract plan, and there are always plenty of smartphone models to choose from. But if you want the latest phone, you may have to pay a small one-time fee on top of the contract fee when you sign up.
Many mobile network operators offer a range of extra and free gifts when customers sign up for a contract. These could be hands-free headphones or accessory packs, or even PlayStation 4 or Xbox One consoles. These days, it is becoming less common and vouchers or cash back are often the norm. Some operators also offer reward schemes or value-added benefits, such as EE's 2-in-1 cinema tickets or Vodafone's free Spotify.