Mobile contracts can be complex. Sometimes it’s hard to unpick the real value of incentives included from your provider, leading to many people overpaying for services they may not need.

In recent years, the cost of data has reduced and we’ve been holding onto our phones for longer, leading to a huge growth in SIM-only contracts.

This page provides an overview of the main UK mobile providers, summarises recent industry news, and gives some advice and tips, as well as sources for further support.

Contents of this page

Category index

https://embed.notionlytics.com/wt/ZXlKd1lXZGxTV1FpT2lJME5HSTNOVFkxWVRBek56WTBZelExWVROaVlUVTVNamN6TkRFd05qTmxNeUlzSW5kdmNtdHpjR0ZqWlZSeVlXTnJaWEpKWkNJNklqWmhWR05GVDIxRk4xVlhkVmR6YlRJM2N6VnpJbjA9

Providers database

There are only four UK mobile networks (EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three). All other providers, called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), are operated by companies using one of the networks.

<aside> ☎️ Ofcom, the sector regulator, publishes an annual report on customer service levels

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/quality-of-service/report/interactive-report-2023

</aside>

Mobile providers

My provider has put prices up, what can I do?

<aside> 💡 Most mobile providers will increase prices by the rate of inflation plus up to an additional 3.9% in March and April 2024.

</aside>

Mid-contract inflationary price rises

Many of the most popular mobile providers put prices up every year by the rate of inflation in a given month, plus an additional percentage. If your provider told you about this (even in the small print) when you signed up with them, you are unfortunately unable to cancel if you’re in contract. Different providers use different measures of inflation, and also take the figure from different months. With record inflation-related price rises in 2023, many customers saw sizeable increases in their bills.

There are very few providers who don’t increase prices during your contract term: Tesco Mobile commits to freezing prices for the contract duration and providers such as Giffgaff and Smarty sell 1-month rolling contracts, which inflation-based price rises don’t apply to.

Once you’re out of contract and don’t need to change your phone, then switching to a SIM-only with your current provider or a new one will save money.

| Mobile Providers | % increase (April 2021) | % increase (April 2022) | % increase (April 2023) | % increase (April 2024) | Mid-contract price rise policy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | O2 | 1.4 | 11.7 | 17.3 | 8.8 | https://www.o2.co.uk/prices | | Virgin Media | 4 | 11.7 | 17.3 | 8.8 | https://www.virginmedia.com/help/prices | | BT | 4.5 | 9.3 | 14.4 | 7.9 | https://www.bt.com/tell-me-more | | EE | 4.5 | 9.3 | 14.4 | 7.9 | https://ee.co.uk/help/billing-payments/guide-to-bill/price-increase | | Plusnet | 4.5 | 9.3 | 14.4 | Plusnet is closing down its mobile service before price rises kick in | https://www.plus.net/help/legal/our-guide-to-price-increase-for-home-broadband/ | | Three | 4.5 | 7.8 | 14.4 | 7.9 | https://www.three.ie/legal/terms/annual-cpi-price-increase.html | | Vodafone | 4.5 | 9.3 | 14.4 | 7.9 | https://www.vodafone.co.uk/pricechanges | | TalkMobile | 4.3 | 9.1 | 14.2 | 7.9 | https://talkmobile.co.uk/t-and-c-mar-2021 | | iD mobile | 1.4 | 9.4 | 13.4 | 7.7 | https://www.idmobile.co.uk/cpi |