Regardless of the chosen approach, selecting a provider is crucial. In the United Kingdom, there are technically only three major networks. However, numerous Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) pay for the use of EE, O2, and Vodafone’s services, providing consumers with a wide selection of options.
Choosing the right network can be challenging, which is where this guide comes in. Each of the three networks will be examined, along with all the ‘piggybackers’ associated with them, to assist you in making an informed decision based on your requirements.
As of December 2021, all phones sold in the UK are required to be unlocked by law, allowing for easy switching between providers. Transferring your existing phone number is also a straightforward process.
If you are still undecided about which phone to purchase, refer to our guides on the best budget, mid-range, and overall smartphones.
A smartphone is a near-indispensable tool in 2026, and there are two main ways to go about buying one.
The first is by getting it on contract, which gets you access to the phone itself and an allocation of calls, texts and data in exchange for a monthly fee. However, it usually works out cheaper to buy the phone outright and pair it with a SIM-only deal (physical SIM or eSIM), which dramatically reduces the monthly payments.
Regardless of which approach you take, you’ll need to decide on a provider.
In the UK, there are technically only three main networks. But dozens of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) pay EE, O2 and VodafoneThree to use their service, so you actually have lots of choice.
Deciding which to go for can be very difficult, which is where this article comes in. For each of the three networks, we’ll run through what it and all its ‘piggybackers’ have to offer, helping you choose the right option for your needs.
By law, all phones sold in the UK since December 2021 must be unlocked, meaning you can easily switch to a different provider. Keeping the same phone number is relatively straightforward, too.
Still deciding which phone to buy? See our guides to the best budget phones, best mid-range phones and best phones overall.
What’s the best phone network in the UK?
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