Which provider is the best mobile network in the UK? Well, the term best mobile network is a fairly subjective one, and the best mobile network for you will really depend on your individual needs. Thankfully Selectra brings you loads of comprehensive mobile phone provider guides to help you make an informed decision. Read on for more about finding the 'perfect fit' for your mobile phone needs.

Everyone is different, as are their mobile needs. There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right mobile phone plan or Pay As You Go SIM. When landing on the best mobile network for you, it's worth considering price, network coverage, data, calls, texts, benefits, rewards and customer service quality, among other things.

Here at Selectra, we wholeheartedly believe that it’s always worth shopping around for the right deal. That being said, there are a high volume of UK mobile networks on the scene that can make choosing the right mobile deal overwhelming to say the least. But don't fret, we'll walk you through how to navigate the selection process.

The best mobile network for you will be one that not only saves you money, but also saves you time. The best mobile network shouldn't just bring convenience to the table, but it should also provide you with enough calls and data for your budget, fantastic perks and reasonable international roaming fees.

Here are some questions to keep in mind when hunting for the best mobile network:

Are You Better Off With PAYG Or A Pay Monthly SIM

If you don't need a new mobile device then taking a sim only option is worth considering. Some of te best mobile networks offer cheaper bundles on Pay As You Go (PAYG) SIM cards. In this way you can control your how much you spend every month by simply topping up.

However, often the best deals are offered on Pay Monthly contracts. These usually last for 12-24 months and include a phone (either for free or with an upfront cost). This means you don't have to worry about topping up and your phone payment comes out of your bank account regularly.

Is A Smaller Network Better?

We’ve included information on smaller providers as well as the big Telecom giants below to keep you fully informed on what’s out there. The best mobile network for you might actually be a smaller one. Often the smaller providers can offer very niche deals that might be ideal for you.

Did You Know You Can Switch Over Text?

You can now switch providers over text, so no long waiting times over the phone or awkward breakup conversations with your provider. The best mobile networks are only one text message away!

Looking for a UK SIM card?There are a few things to consider when taking out a UK phone contract or getting your UK SIM, so we’ve put together a step by step guide to getting a UK SIM or phone that will help ease you through the process. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

The Best Mobile Network: Rankings

Although the best mobile network for you will be a subjective choice, there is an existing framework within which most major providers are assessed by reviwers and the telecoms regulator, Ofcom.

Some mobile networks achieve the best ratings for overall service, some for network coverage and some for pricing. Take a look at some of the factors Selectra takes into account when assessing the overall quality of a mobile phone provider:

• Customer satisfaction
• Complaints handling
• Customer service call waiting times
• Network coverage quality
• Pricing
• The range of mobile handsets on offer
• International roaming charges

The Cheapest Mobile Networks

When discussing the best mobile network, it’s hard to go past pricing. So which is the cheapest mobile network in the UK? Well, there isn’t one mobile phone provider that has the cheapest deals across PAYG and Pay Monthly plans.

Take a look at the cheapest SIM only deals on the market at the time of writing below:

Pay monthly plans will usually fluctuate in price based on the mobile handset involved in the plan. The more recent the mobile phone included in the plan, the more expensive it’s going to be. The best way to compare providers is to decide on the handset you’re after and then compare prices among the best mobile networks.

Take a look at some of the cheapest Pay Monthly phone plans on the market for 2022, for the iPhone SEiPhone SE (with 64GB of storage) below, for an example of how to compare the cheapest prices when handsets are included:

Phone plan Pricing Checklist

There are many amazing mobile phone deals on the market, but not all deals are created equally. Before you sign on to a phone plan, make sure you ask yourself the following questions to ensure you are really getting the best mobile network plan possible.

• Are calls and texts unlimited? Most providers offer free calls and text messages on their monthly plans, and having unlimited calls and text messages can prevent extra monthly costs on top of your bill.
• Does the provider come with added benefits? Many of the best mobile networks, like Vodafone or O2 for example, offer extra perks to their customers like concert tickets or discounts. In a competitive mobile phone market, it’s ok to expect added perks along the way.
• Does the plan come with enough data? Most of us spend a great deal of time using our mobile internet for things like emailing or social media. Sometimes the cheapest plans can look more appealing, but if they come with a lower data allowance you may end up paying extra fees in data overages.
• Does the provider offer data rolling? Many providers, like Sky Mobile and Giffgaff for example, offer data rolling options - meaning that any data that you don’t use during a given month can be carried over into the following month. This is a great way to protect yourself from additional data charges.

Pay Monthly Contracts Or Pay As You Go

The best mobile network for you will depend on whether you’re more suited to a Pay Monthly contract or a Pay As You Go sim deal. So what’s the difference between the two options?

Pay Monthly

Pay Monthly contracts involve paying a set amount of money each month for data, calls, texts and usually involve incremental payments towards the cost of a mobile handset. These contracts are usually 12-24 months in duration and leaving a contract before its completion will usually incur some sort of an exit fee.

Pay As You Go

Pay As You Go or PAYG sim cards don’t require customers to sign on to a contract. With Pay As You Go you purchase your calls, texts and data in advance when you top up your account.

Who's The Best Mobile Network In My Area?

Have you ever asked yourself the question: who's the best mobile network in my area? If so, then you're certainly not alone. The best mobile network in your area will first and foremost depend on the level of network coverage you are likely to receive. Overall mobile network coverage quality is based around several different factors and sometimes can be disrupted by damages to network infrastructure.

Despite the fact that there are actually many different mobile phone providers in the UK, only four of these providers actually provide signal. These four mobile phone networks are: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. All other mobile phone providers piggybackpiggyback off the main four networks for signal. It's worth noting that if one of these four networks experiences interruptions then so will the providers that piggyback off of them.

There are several different metrics involved in measuring the quality of a particular provider's level of network coverage. The best mobile network for coverage is measured on these different metrics. Take a look at these metrics in detail below:

How To Find The Best Mobile Network In Your Area

A great deal of the main UK Mobile phone networks host tools with which you can check networks in a given region or postcode. Often these tools come in the form of interactive maps that represent different levels of mobile phone coverage using different colour gradients. If you'd like to learn more about how to check the level of network coverage in your area then we recommend following our step-by-step guide on how to check your coverage here.

The best mobile network for international roaming

Which UK provider is the best mobile network for international roaming? Well, the first thing to consider is where you are travelling to. For the time being, if you’re travelling from the UK to anywhere within the European Union, then you are protected by laws that prevent consumers being charged for using their mobile phone abroad - meaning that you’ll be able use your call, text and data allowance as usual.

If you’re planning on using international roaming outside of the EU then it’s worth checking a provider’s policy on roaming for the country you are headed to. Most providers have countries broken down into groups, and their roaming charges are organised accordingly.