July 2026
Here is something most people do not realise: budget and independent mobile networks use exactly the same masts as EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. They are called MVNOs — Mobile Virtual Network Operators — and they rent capacity from the big networks, then sell it on at lower prices.
The result is that you can get EE's coverage for £5 a month, or Vodafone's network for £8 a month, without paying EE or Vodafone's prices.
### 1pMobile — best for EE coverage at lowest price
1pMobile runs on EE's network — the UK's widest 4G and 5G coverage — and offers monthly bundles from £5/month. Their standout deal is the 50GB plan at £10/month, which gives most people more data than they will ever use.
Plans from: £5/month (5GB)
Network: EE
Contract: 30-day rolling
Their unique 1p tariff is also worth mentioning for very light users — pay 1p per minute, 1p per text, 1p per MB. Top up £10 and it lasts months if you mainly use Wi-Fi.
### Smarty — best for unused data refunds
Smarty runs on Three's network and has a genuinely unique feature — unused data is credited back to your account at the end of each month. So if you buy a 30GB plan and only use 15GB, you get money back.
No other budget network does this. It makes Smarty genuinely fair for people whose data usage varies month to month.
Plans from: approximately £10/month
Network: Three
Contract: 30-day rolling
### Honest Mobile — best for eco-conscious users
Honest Mobile runs on Three's network and plants trees with every subscription. They offer unlimited data plans at competitive prices and are a certified B Corp — meaning they meet high standards of social and environmental performance.
If you want unlimited data and want your money to go to a company that does things differently, Honest Mobile is worth considering.
Plans from: approximately £15/month
Network: Three
Contract: 30-day rolling
### GiffGaff — best for EU roaming included
GiffGaff runs on O2's network and includes European roaming on all plans — useful for regular travellers to Europe. Their goodybag system lets you change your plan each month without penalty.
Plans from: approximately £8/month
Network: O2
Contract: 30-day rolling (goodybags)
A standard EE SIM only plan with 100GB costs around £25-35/month. 1pMobile's 100GB plan on EE's network costs £15/month. That is a saving of £120-240 per year for identical coverage.
Over two years — roughly the life of a smartphone — the saving pays for a quality refurbished phone.
Switching is simple and you keep your phone number:
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