List of mobile virtual network operators in the United Kingdom

This is a list of notable mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United Kingdom, which lease wireless telephone and data spectrum from the major carriers EE, O2, Three and Vodafone for resale.

Active operators

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Brand Host network Wireless technology Voice over LTE WiFi calling eSIM Visual Voicemail HD voice [1] MVNE MVNO type Start date Notes
2G 3G 4G 5G
1pMobile EE Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Direct with MNO PAYG 2016[2]
Asda Mobile Vodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes [3] No No Yes Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2007[4]
CMLink EE Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Transatel PAYM 2017[5] By China Mobile. Intended primarily for the Chinese diaspora and Chinese international students.
CTExcel EE Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Transatel PAYG 2012[6] as CTExcelbiz By China Telecom. Intended primarily for the Chinese diaspora and Chinese international students.
Ecotalk EE Yes No Yes Yes[7] Yes Yes No No No Transatel PAYM 2018[8]
giffgaff O2 Yes Yes Yes Yes[9] Yes[10] Yes[10] Yes No Yes (not EVS) Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2009[11] MVNO indirectly run by host network.
iD Mobile Three No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes[12] No Yes Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2015[13]
Lebara Vodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes PAYM/PAYG 2007[14]
Lyca Mobile EE Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2006[15]
Sky Mobile O2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes[16] No Direct with MNO PAYM 2016[17]
SMARTY Three No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes PAYM/PAYG 2017[18] MVNO run by host network.
spusu EE Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Direct with MNO PAYM 2023[19] Uses their own PLMN (234-40), self-hosted SIP IMS and core network infrastructure.
Superdrug Mobile Three No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Direct with MNO PAYG 2018[20] MVNO run by host network (Three)'s parent company Hutchison.
Talkmobile Vodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes PAYM 2007[21]
Tesco Mobile O2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (only on PAYM) No Yes (EVS only on PAYM) Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2003[22]
Your Co-op EE Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No No No Transatel[23] PAYM Previously trading as The Phone Co-op[24]
1GLOBAL EE Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes[25] Yes Yes PAYG 2006 Acquired Truphone
Utility Warehouse EE Yes No Yes Partial Yes Yes No No Yes PAYM 2000[26]
VOXI Vodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes[27] Yes Direct with MNO PAYG 2017[28] MVNO run by host network, directly linked in with host's core systems.

Defunct, merged and acquired operators

[edit]
Brand Host network Defunct date Notes
AfriMobile Three 13 October 2020 Ceased operations.
Andrews & Arnold Three 30 April 2013[29] Ceased operations when their upstream partner "pulled the plug".[30]
Blyk Orange 26 August 2009[31] Ceased operations.
BT Mobile EE 2023 BT Group axed the brand.
Easymobile T-Mobile 13 December 2006[32] Ceased operations.
Econet Mobile EE 20 July 2015[33] Ceased UK operations.
Family Mobile EE 31 August 2015[34] Ceased operations. Formerly IKEA Family Mobile.
FreedomPop Three ? Ceased UK operations.
Fresh Mobile T-Mobile 19 March 2010[35] Ceased operations. Existing customers were encouraged to move to the sister network, Talkmobile.
GT Mobile O2 July 2016 Existing customers were consolidated in the sister brand, Lycamobile.[36] Full name is Gnanam Telecom.
KCOM Mobile O2 2019 Ceased operations.
LIFE Mobile EE 29 November 2016[37] Acquired by Plusnet.
Mobile by Sainsbury's Vodafone 15 January 2016[38] Ceased operations.
Ovivo Mobile Vodafone 19 March 2014[39] Ceased operations.
Plusnet Mobile EE January 2024 Stopped accepting new customers from March 2023,[40] will close later in 2024.[41] BT Group axed the brand.
Post Office Mobile EE 8 August 2016[42][43] Ceased operations.
RSPCA Mobile EE October 2014 Ceased operations. Operated as a white-label under Shebang.[44]
TalkTalk Mobile Vodafone 2018[45] Ceased operations.
The People's Operator (TPO Mobile) Three 26 February 2019[46] Entered administration. Customers were encouraged to move to SMARTY.[46]
Utilita Mobile EE Approximately 2022[47] Website now redirects to the Utilita website help section.
Virgin Mobile O2 31 August 2023[48] Stopped accepting new customers August 2023. All customers moved to O2 by December 2023.[49]
Vizz Africa Vodafone ? Ceased operations.

eSIM networks

[edit]

The adoption of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology in the United Kingdom has expanded in the 2020s, allowing mobile users to activate cellular service without the need for a physical SIM card. Major network operators, including EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three, have implemented eSIM support across their postpaid plans, with select prepaid options also available. This development aligns with the broader global trend of transitioning towards digital SIM technology.

In addition to the major carriers, several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), such as giffgaff, Lyca Mobile, and Tesco Mobile, offer eSIM services. International providers, including Maya, Airalo and Ohayu,[50] also facilitate eSIM access for travellers and expatriates. The adoption of eSIM technology has contributed to increased flexibility for consumers, particularly those who require dual-SIM functionality[51] or frequent international connection changes.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Network Spec Spreadsheet - ISPReview". 4 October 2023.
  2. ^ "1PMOBILE LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Introducing Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling for Asda mobile customers".
  4. ^ "Back to school bargain: Asda Mobile launches bundle deal for kids first phone". corporate.asda.com.
  5. ^ "China Mobile Launches CMLink UK MVNO for Chinese Community". 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018.
  6. ^ "China Telecom's launch of CTExcelbiz marks the first Chinese MVNO service out side China". China Telecom's launch of CTExcelbiz marks the first Chinese MVNO service out side China. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  7. ^ "4G/5G explained". ecotalk. 28 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Ecotricity launching new mobile phone network". Ecotricity. 26 June 2018.
  9. ^ "giffgaff - 5G". giffgaff.
  10. ^ a b "WiFi Calling and VoLTE?". giffgaff.
  11. ^ Bradshaw, Tim (3 January 2010). "Original ideas suggest customer knows best". Financial Times.
  12. ^ iD eSIM support., iD Mobile.
  13. ^ Knapman, Helen (15 May 2015). "Carphone Warehouse launches mobile network. But is iD any good?". MoneySavingExpert.com.
  14. ^ Garside, Juliette (17 November 2011). "Lebara co-founder made virtual phone network a real money-maker". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Lyca Mobile - Leading Mobile Virtual Network Operator". www.lycamobile.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Sky Mobile voicemail | Sky Help | Sky.com". www.sky.com. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  17. ^ Sweney, Mark (20 October 2016). "Sky to pre-register customers before it launches mobile service". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Three's Smarty network buys back your unused data each month". engadget. 31 August 2017.
  19. ^ Jackson, Mark (15 June 2023). "Austrian Mobile Operator Spusu Launch in UK with Cheap Unlimited Data". ISPreview UK.
  20. ^ Brigden, Steve (20 June 2018). "Superdrug launches new mobile network - here's how it stacks up". MoneySavingExpert.
  21. ^ "Who Is TalkMobile? | Need help? | Find answers to your questions | Talkmobile". talkmobile.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  22. ^ "TESCO MOBILE LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Transatel and BT renew award-winning partnership to enable 5G for UK MVNOs". Transatel. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Phone Co-op members agree transfer of engagements to Midcounties". Co-operative News. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Business SIM and Connectivity plans". 1global.com. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  26. ^ "Mobile plus". Telecom Plus. Archived from the original on 11 May 2000. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  27. ^ "How do I set up Visual Voicemail?". VOXI. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  28. ^ "VOXI launches the UK's first dedicated youth mobile offering". Vodafone UK Media Centre. 31 August 2017.
  29. ^ "Andrews & Arnold Ltd - Telephony". Andrews & Arnold. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Andrews & Arnold Ltd - Telephony - SIP2SIM". Andrews & Arnold. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  31. ^ "A fond farewell to our UK members". Blyk. 27 July 2009. Archived from the original on 30 July 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Easymobile to close down service". BBC News. 13 November 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  33. ^ "Pay as you go tariffs, Mobile SIM tariffs with econet mobile". 1 August 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  34. ^ Kubiak, Paloma (7 July 2015). "Family Mobile to close, but unused credit will be refunded". Money Saving Expert. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  35. ^ "Carphone Warehouse apologises for Fresh confusion". Mobile Today. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  36. ^ "Lycamobile a Global MVNO will withdraw GT Mobile from all its markets, which includes Australia, The Netherlands and the UK, and will now focus on its own main brand". MVNO Dynamics. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  37. ^ "What's happening?". LIFE Mobile. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  38. ^ "Mobile by Sainsbury's - Mobile Phones, PAYG and SIM Only Deals". Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  39. ^ Razavi, Lauren (24 March 2014). "Ovivo Mobile goes dark, leaving thousands without connectivity". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  40. ^ Jackson, Mark (29 March 2023). "Broadband ISP Plusnet Stops Selling Own Brand UK Mobile Plans". ISPreview. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  41. ^ "BT will shut down Plusnet Mobile to consolidate the EE brand". MobileNews. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Post Office Mobile | Order Free SIM". Post Office. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  43. ^ Majithia, Kavit (19 May 2016). "UK's Post Office to can MVNO venture". Mobile World Live. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  44. ^ "NEW BR/MVNO – RSPCA MOBILE, in cooperation with Shebang". MVNO Dynamics. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  45. ^ Rodgers, Tom. "TalkTalk Mobile killed off, customers offered O2 switch". SimOnlyDeals.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  46. ^ a b "The People's Operator". 13 February 2019. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  47. ^ https://www.facebook.com/UtilitaEnergyUK/posts/we-think-utilita-mobile-is-here-are-some-reasons-whyps-can-you-spot-any-cheeky-e/5291601950953297/ Last found post mentioning the network
  48. ^ "Virgin Mobile | Phone & SIM Deals - See What You Can Do". Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  49. ^ "Virgin Mobile's Move to the O2 Network | Virgin Mobile". Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  50. ^ Kopycki, Filip (5 February 2025). "Best Mobile Networks in Canada - Prices, 5G Coverage, Speed". ohayu.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  51. ^ "Using Dual SIM with an eSIM". Apple Support. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
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