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This is a list of notablemobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United Kingdom, which lease wireless telephone and dataspectrum from the major carriersEE,O2,Three andVodafone for resale.
| 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] | ByChina Mobile. Intended primarily for theChinese diaspora and Chineseinternational students. |
| CTExcel | EE | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Transatel | PAYG | 2012[6] as CTExcelbiz | ByChina Telecom. Intended primarily for theChinese diaspora and Chineseinternational 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 ownPLMN (234-40), self-hostedSIP 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 companyHutchison. |
| 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 asThe 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. |
| 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. FormerlyIKEA 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 byPlusnet. |
| 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 toSMARTY.[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] |
The adoption ofeSIM (embedded SIM) technology in the United Kingdom has expanded in the 2020s, allowing mobile users to activatecellular service without the need for a physicalSIM card. Major network operators, includingEE,Vodafone,O2, andThree, 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 asgiffgaff,Lyca Mobile, andTesco 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.