All 12 UK mobile networks and MVNOs compared
From the four hosts that actually build the masts to every major MVNO that piggybacks on them. Coverage, contract type, perks and pricing for 12 UK networks side by side.
4
Host networks owning UK masts
99%
UK population covered by 4G
85%+
UK premises with outdoor 5G (Ofcom)
£5
Cheapest UK SIM-only / month
Only four companies actually build and run mobile masts in the UK: EE (BT Group), Vodafone, Three and Virgin Media O2. Every other brand on this page is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that rents capacity from one of those four. The signal you receive is set by the host, regardless of the brand on your bill.
Below you can compare all 12 UK networks: which host they sit on, the plan types they sell, whether they offer 5G and what makes each one different. Filter by host networks, MVNOs, SIM-only, Pay Monthly, PAYG or 5G to narrow the list.
The flagship networks
The four UK networks every customer should know
Three host operators plus the UK's most-loved MVNO. Together they account for the vast majority of SIM cards in use today.
Best 5G
EE
Owns network (BT Group)
BT-owned and consistently top-rated by Ofcom for 4G and 5G coverage, speed and reliability. The most dependable choice for fast data and rural signal.
Read the full review
Priority perks
O2
Owns network (VMO2)
Part of Virgin Media O2. Strong urban 5G, free O2 Priority tickets and Volt discounts when paired with Virgin Media broadband.
Read the full review
EU roaming
Vodafone
Owns network
Reliable nationwide coverage, competitive SIM-only pricing and VeryMe rewards. Plenty of plans still include free EU roaming.
Read the full review
No contract
giffgaff
Hosted by O2
Award-winning low-cost MVNO running on the O2 network. 30-day goodybags, no credit check and a strong community-led customer service.
Read the full reviewEvery UK network
Compare all 12 UK networks and MVNOs
Filter by host network, MVNO status, contract type or 5G availability and find the right plan in seconds.
EE
Owns network (BT Group) . Best 5G
BT-owned and consistently top-rated by Ofcom for 4G and 5G coverage, speed and reliability. The most dependable choice for fast data and rural signal.
O2
Owns network (VMO2) . Priority perks
Part of Virgin Media O2. Strong urban 5G, free O2 Priority tickets and Volt discounts when paired with Virgin Media broadband.
Vodafone
Owns network . EU roaming
Reliable nationwide coverage, competitive SIM-only pricing and VeryMe rewards. Plenty of plans still include free EU roaming.
Three
Owns network . Unlimited value
Best value on unlimited data plans, included EU roaming on many tariffs. Vodafone and Three are merging into the UK's biggest 5G network.
giffgaff
Hosted by O2 . No contract
Award-winning low-cost MVNO running on the O2 network. 30-day goodybags, no credit check and a strong community-led customer service.
Tesco Mobile
Hosted by O2 . Clubcard rewards
O2-powered MVNO with Clubcard prices, flexible Pay Monthly contracts and Family Perks to share allowances across up to 4 lines.
Sky Mobile
Hosted by O2 . Data rollover
O2-network MVNO from Sky. Unused data rolls into a 3-year Piggybank, and Sky TV customers get exclusive discounts on plans and handsets.
Virgin Media
O2 network (VMO2) . Volt bundle
Virgin Media O2 mobile: doubled data through Volt for Virgin broadband customers, plus EU roaming included on most Freestyle plans.
BT Mobile
Hosted by EE . BT broadband
EE network with BT branding. Best paired with BT broadband or BT TV for discounted SIM-only plans and the BT Halo signal guarantee.
Asda Mobile
Hosted by Vodafone . Cheap PAYG
Pay As You Go on the Vodafone network. Bundles from a few pounds a month, plus 30-day SIM-only plans with no contract and no credit check.
Lycamobile
Hosted by EE . Cheap intl calls
EE-powered MVNO specialising in cheap international calls. 30-day PAYG plans with generous overseas minutes to 50+ countries.
Sure CW
Channel Islands . CI specialist
Sure provides mobile services across the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with local plans, business packages and roaming bundles for islanders.
Networks at a glance
What each network actually offers
Some own the masts. Others rent capacity at a discount. A quick visual key to every plan type each operator supports.
EE
O2
Vodafone
Three
giffgaff
Tesco Mobile
Sky Mobile
Virgin Media
BT Mobile
Asda Mobile
Lycamobile
Sure CW
Last updated: June 2026. Plan types, host relationships and 5G coverage change. Always confirm directly with the operator.
6 questions to ask
How to choose the right UK mobile network
Coverage, contract type, allowances, perks and total cost. Six checks that decide whether a plan is right for you.
Check coverage at your postcode
Use Ofcom's free Mobile Coverage Checker to compare indoor and outdoor 4G and 5G across all four host networks. Brand matters less than the host that powers it.
Host or MVNO?
MVNOs sit on a host network and almost always charge less. Coverage is identical to the host they rent from, so a giffgaff SIM gives you the same O2 signal.
SIM-only, Pay Monthly or PAYG?
SIM-only is cheapest if you own a phone. Pay Monthly spreads handset costs over 24-36 months. PAYG suits light users and children's phones with no credit check.
Match data to actual usage
A light user is fine with 2-5 GB. Heavy streamers and tetherers need 50 GB+ or unlimited. Sky and Tesco let you roll unused data into next month.
Look for the right perks
O2 Priority unlocks tickets and rewards. Sky Mobile rewards Sky TV customers. Tesco pays in Clubcard points. BT, Vodafone and Three include EU roaming on many tariffs.
Test with a 30-day SIM
Before locking into 24 months, run a 30-day SIM from your shortlist at your address. It is the only honest way to test real-world coverage.
What it costs in 2026
The cheapest UK mobile plans this year
MVNOs on the EE, Vodafone and O2 networks consistently win on entry-level SIM-only pricing. Coverage is identical to the host, but monthly bills are typically half the price of a host-network tariff.
£5
Lycamobile (EE host) - 5 GB, unlimited UK calls and texts
£6
giffgaff (O2 host) - 5 GB, no contract, no credit check
£7
Asda Mobile (Vodafone host) - 10 GB, unlimited calls and texts
Indicative entry-level SIM-only prices from provider websites, 2026. Always verify the current offer before subscribing.
Keep exploring
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ExploreUK networks FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
EE consistently ranks first in Ofcom's Connected Nations reports for overall 4G and 5G coverage, average download speeds and customer experience. Vodafone ranks second on reliability, Three leads on unlimited data value, and Virgin Media O2 wins on perks through Priority and the Volt bundle. The best network for you is always the one with the strongest signal at your home and work postcode.
A network like EE, O2, Vodafone or Three owns the physical mobile masts. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a brand like giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile or BT Mobile that rents capacity from one of the four hosts. Signal is identical to the host network, but MVNOs typically charge less, offer shorter contracts and target different audiences.
Yes, almost always. If you already own a phone, a 30-day SIM-only deal works out far cheaper than a 24-month contract bundling a handset. Unlimited calls and texts with 5 to 30 GB of data start from £5 to £15 a month. A "free phone" on Pay Monthly is rarely free once you total the 24 monthly payments.
Text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM. Your old provider must reply within 60 seconds with a Porting Authorisation Code valid for 30 days. Give that PAC to your new network when you sign up and they will transfer your number within one working day. The process is free, governed by Ofcom and works for every UK provider.
Not yet. Ofcom's latest Connected Nations report shows more than 85% of UK premises have outdoor 5G from at least one operator, but indoor coverage and rural areas lag well behind. 5G is rolling out fastest in towns and cities; if you live remotely, 4G coverage matters more than 5G when picking a plan.
Since Brexit, most UK networks reintroduced EU roaming fees on new plans, but not all. O2 is the only major host network that still includes free EU roaming as standard on most consumer tariffs (within a fair-use cap). EE, Vodafone and Three typically charge £2 to £2.50 per day in the EU on newer contracts, though older plans and some SIM-only deals still include it for free.
Save on your next bill
Find a cheaper UK mobile network in minutes
Text PAC to 65075 to keep your number. Switching network takes one working day and there is no gap in service. Compare 12 UK networks and MVNOs side by side.