By Lycamobile offers Pay As You Go bundles from £5/month with international minutes and EE 5G coverage.
In the UK, Lycamobile offers low-cost SIM cards with one-month rolling Pay As You Go bundles. Their plans start from £5/month for three months, with an allowance of UK minutes, texts and mobile data included. You’ll also get international minutes included on most Lycamobile bundles.
As a special offer for November 2024, you’ll get even lower prices when you order a new Lycamobile SIM card. For instance, there’s 25GB data for £5 on Lycamobile’s cheapest SIM-only deal. There’s also 50GB data for £6.50, 88GB data for £8, and unlimited data for £15. You can benefit from a discounted price for up to 3 months when you order a new Lycamobile SIM.
In this article, we’ll review Lycamobile’s UK network, including their 30-day bundles and the bundle codes that can be used to buy them. We’ll also look at the coverage available on a Lycamobile SIM.
| Prices From: | £5 per month |
|---|---|
| November 2024 Offers (with Lycamobile SIM): |
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| Lycamobile Bundles: |
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| Coverage: | 4G & 5G coverage from EE (check postcode) |
Contents
Lycamobile Bundles
In the UK, Lycamobile specialises in offering low-cost SIM-only plans with coverage from EE.
Monthly Bundles
Most Lycamobile customers will choose to buy a one-month bundle. Here, you’ll get an inclusive allowance of UK minutes, texts and mobile data to use over a one-month period. You’ll also get some international minutes included.
As of November 2024, there are some special offers available when you order a new Lycamobile SIM card. This makes it possible to get the following Lycamobile bundles from just £5 per month for three months:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25GB data | £5.00 for 3 months, then £10 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 50GB data | £6.50 for 3 months, then £15 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 88GB data | £8.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 2nd Dec | 100GB data | £10.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 100GB data | £10.00 for 3 months, then £20 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £15.00 for 3 months, then £25 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
All of these deals are only available when you order your bundle online – it isn’t possible to get them in-store, by phone or by text message. Your bundle will come with a new Lycamobile SIM card or eSIM (you can always transfer your service to it if you’re a current Lycamobile customer).
There’s no contract and no credit check on these Lycamobile bundles. This means you can easily change or cancel your plan at any time.
National Bundles
If you’re using an existing Lycamobile SIM card, you’ll be able to choose from their standard range of bundles.
Lycamobile’s national bundles come with an inclusive allowance of UK minutes, texts and mobile data, along with 100 international minutes (or unlimited international minutes when you choose their £30 Unlimited Plus plan):
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB data | £5.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 25GB data | £10.00 per month £5 for 3 months No contract | See deal |
| 50GB data | £15.00 per month £6.50 for 3 months No contract | See deal |
| 100GB data | £20.00 per month £10 for 3 months No contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month £15 for 3 months No contract | See deal |
There’s no contract and no credit check, so you can easily change between their bundles at any time.
Occasionally, there are different data allowances or promotions available, depending on whether you buy the bundle online or offline. For the largest data allowance, it’s always best to buy your bundle online through Lycamobile’s website. If you buy your bundle in a shop, by phone call or by text message, you may get a reduced ‘offline’ data allowance instead.
International Bundles
Lycamobile’s international bundles come with a larger allowance of international minutes. However, you’ll get a smaller allowance of UK data included on these plans.
The following table shows Lycamobile’s international bundles:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6GB data | £9.90 per month No contract | See deal |
| 40GB data | £15.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 50GB data | £20.00 per month No contract | See deal |
On top of this, there are specialist international bundles available for calling certain countries such as Turkey, Nigeria and Pakistan. You can find these listed within the ‘International plans’ section of their website.
Bundle Codes
You can buy a 30-day bundle from Lycamobile by dialling or texting the relevant shortcode listed below.
| Bundle Name | Bundle Code | Online Offer |
|---|---|---|
| £5 UK Plan Smart (with 3GB data) | Dial *139*5555# or text 5555 to 3535 | Extra 2GB online (5GB in total) |
| £10 National Plus (with 20GB data) | Dial *139*21544# or text 21544 to 3535 | – |
| £12 National Plan Extra (with 30GB data) | Dial *139*112# or text 112 to 3535 | – |
| £15 UK Plan Super Extra (with 50GB data) | Dial *139*115# or text 115 to 3535 | – |
| £20 UK Plan Mega Plus (with 100GB data) | Dial *139*2055# or text 2055 to 3535 | – |
| £25 UK Plan Unlimited | Dial *139*3055# or text 3055 to 3535 | – |
| £30 UK Plan Unlimited Plus | Dial *139*4055# or text 4055 to 3535 | – |
| International Bundles | ||
| £9.90 All in One 10 (with 3GB data) | Dial *139*2541# or text 2541 to 3535 | Extra 3GB online (6GB in total) |
| £15 All in One Plus 15 (with 15GB data) | Dial *139*544# or text 544 to 3535 | Extra 15GB online (30GB in total) |
| £20 All In One Plus 20 (with 20GB data) | Dial *139*545# or text 545 to 3535 | Extra 10GB online (30GB in total) |
One thing that’s worth noting is that Lycamobile often has special online-only promotions. With these online promotions, you’ll get more data for the same price. However, this is only available when you buy the bundles online through the Lycamobile website. Given the increased data allowances available, we’d normally recommend doing this instead of buying your bundle via phone call or text message.
Pay As You Go Rates
If you don’t have an active 30-day bundle, Lycamobile will charge you their standard Pay As You Go rates. This is 23p/minute for calling UK mobiles and 15p/minute for calling UK landlines. You’ll also pay 23p for every text message you send, and 15p for every megabyte of data you use.
The following table shows Lycamobile’s standard Pay As You Go rates:
| Calling Rates: | |
|---|---|
| Voice Calls | 23p/minute to other UK mobile phones 15p/minute to UK landlines |
| Calls to Voicemail | Free |
| Calls to Special Rate Numbers | 23p/minute access charge + service charge from the company you’re calling |
| Messaging Rates: | |
| Text Message (SMS) | 23p |
| Picture Message (MMS) | Not available. |
| Internet Rates: | |
| Mobile Data | 15p/MB |
Each time you top-up your Lycamobile SIM card, you’ll get unlimited calls and texts to other Lycamobile UK customers. This is available for 30 days after the date of each top-up.
International Minutes
If your UK bundle comes with an inclusive allowance of international minutes, you’ll be able to use it for calling phone numbers in the following destinations:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United States
On some of the international plans, you’ll also be able to call other destinations. For instance, the AloTurka plans come with inclusive calls to Turkey.
Network & Coverage
4G & 5G Coverage From EE
In the UK, Lycamobile offers 4G & 5G coverage from the EE network. This should give you around 99% population coverage on 4G, plus 5G coverage in more than 1,000 UK towns and cities.
Before you order a Lycamobile SIM card, it’s worth double-checking the coverage in your area. You can do this by entering your postcode on Lycamobile’s online coverage map:
Check Lycamobile Coverage (lycamobile.co.uk) →
Unfortunately, Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling are not currently available to Lycamobile customers.
Prior to June 2023, Lycamobile offered coverage from the O2 network. All of their customers now receive coverage from the EE network instead, following the changes.
International Roaming
You’ll be able to use your Lycamobile UK plan at no extra cost when you travel to the EU. In addition, the data allowance can be used in India at no extra cost.
The fair use limit for international roaming is 12GB per month on limited data plans and 35GB per month on unlimited data plans.
For all other destinations, you’ll pay Lycamobile’s international roaming rates. Alternatively, if you’re looking to use your phone in Turkey, you can choose an AloTurka plan with inclusive roaming in Turkey.
Keeping Your Phone Number
If you’re switching from another network to Lycamobile, it’s a straightforward process keeping your current phone number.
Start by ordering your new SIM card (or eSIM) from the Lycamobile website. Once you’ve done that, you can request a PAC Code from your old network. To do this, text PAC to 65075.
When your new Lycamobile SIM card or eSIM arrives, you’ll be able to fill out this online form to get your phone number moved over.
For step-by-step instructions on how to move your phone number to Lycamobile, please select your current mobile network from the dropdown menu below:
It isn’t possible to transfer Pay As You Go credit from another network to Lycamobile. For this reason, you should try to use up any remaining Pay As You Go credit before you move your phone number to Lycamobile.
Frequently Asked Questions
| What Pay As You Go bundles are available on Lycamobile? | Lycamobile offers a range of Pay As You Go bundles from £5/month. For instance, you can get the following allowances if you purchase your bundle online:
If you purchase your bundle offline (e.g. by phone, by text message or in store), you may get a smaller data allowance and you may need to pay more for your bundle. |
|---|---|
| What is a Lycamobile bundle code? | You can buy a bundle from your Lycamobile Pay As You Go credit by dialling the relevant shortcode on your phone or texting a relevant bundle code to 3535. You can find the latest Lycamobile bundle codes here. |
| Which countries can I call using the international minutes? | If your Lycamobile bundle has an allowance of inclusive international minutes, you’ll be able to use them to call phone numbers in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States. |
| Does Lycamobile offer any unlimited data plans? | Yes. Lycamobile currently offers a choice of two unlimited data plans:
Both plans are subject to a fair use limit of 450GB per month. On other mobile networks, it’s possible to get unlimited data from £15/month with no speed restrictions. |
| What’s the coverage like on Lycamobile? | You’ll get 99% population coverage from EE’s 4G network in the UK. You’ll also get 5G coverage in more than 1,000 UK towns and cities. To check the availability of coverage where you live, use Lycamobile’s online coverage map. |
| Can I keep my current phone number? | Yes. It’s easy keeping your current phone number when you join Lycamobile. Ask your current mobile network to give you a PAC Code. This can be obtained through your mobile network’s website or app, or by texting PAC to 65075. You can then submit this PAC Code on the Lycamobile website after you’ve ordered your SIM card.
|
More Information
For more information, please see Lycamobile’s official UK website.
Simon Cockburn said:
Hi Ken, I’ve discovered that Lycamobe now permit hot spot and tethering.see this FAQ section.
Can I share my device’s data connection through a personal hotspot or tethering?
Yes, Personal hotspots and tethering are methods of sharing your mobile device’s data connection with another device, like a laptop or games console. So, if you’re in an area with no Wi-Fi, but you have a 4G or 3G signal, you can use that signal to go online. If you do this frequently, we recommend you monitor your data usage by dialling *137# and follow the instruction.
A personal hotspot lets you share your device’s data wirelessly, so it’s also called ‘wireless tethering’ or a ‘Wi-Fi hotspot. Tethering lets you do the same thing, using a USB cable instead of a wireless connection. Iphone users may need to enter personal hotspot’s APN: data.lycamobile.co.uk under the setting.
Peter said:
Am UK based and was looking forward to using my Lycamobile SIM during multi country holiday (EU). Is true that you can use your data in EU countries but you seem to only be able to get an E speed connection (between 2g and 3g) so actually unusable for apps / web browsing / any normal type of phone usage. Spent nearly 4 weeks trying to get support for the ‘issue’ but concluded it’s actually by design rather than something that can be resolved. Back in UK immediately have 4g access again. Is cheap so fair enough but won’t expect to use next time I travel. Ended up buying local SIM which worked well (dual SIM phone). SMS and calls worked as expected.
John said:
This is a bit out of date. Lycamobile now has a PAYG plan for £5.00 a month with 2GB data, 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 100 international minutes. This is on their website.
Ranga Nayanajith Silva replied:
Not anymore…
Luis said:
Customer service and their website is really bad. I am happy with their bundles but I seriously considering to change to another provider. On internet, many times fails to make payments and customer services are quite poor.
When you explain them the facts, they just tell you it is a problem of your card and bank account. I paid to several sites with my card and in all of them is good. Just in Lycamobile, and in three months in a row, give me problems issues.
I spent £3 credit from my phone trying to make the payment of the bundle but as said, their website is not good.
sonja patel said:
HI, can i just upgrade my bundle online if I have an existing Lycamobile sim?
Want to get a bundle with data and unlimited texts and minutes
Ken replied:
Hi Sonja,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you can change your Lycamobile bundle online by following the relevant links here.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Lexus said:
Good day. I used the 10 pound plan with 100 international minutes and activation code *139*11544# during last few months. But last week it stop worked. What happens?
Qayyum said:
I top up £10 in lycamobile some but next-day I found money disappeared.
luma replied:
It happens with me too which put me off of top op my phone.
Sara said:
I have no problems with Lyca regarding the value for money etc the only thing that bugs me about it is finding the bloody bundle codes, which does take some finding!!!!!!!
Ganesh said:
Disgrace. Tried ordering a SIM and I think they do not post overseas. I can’t even fill my address up.
Pls learn from giffgaff about posting overseas
Niko constant replied:
they do ship overseas lyca have several websites for each country plus all you had to do was ring customer service on lyca and get it done that way ok lyca is a good network one of the best try what I said 1st then if all else fails come back then and talk ish ok
Tony said:
I recently used a text code to activate a Lyca bundle after buying top up cards. I cant remember the text code, and Lyca themselves just want me to sign up on their site.
Where can I find those codes? I think it was something like 2020 or 4020 or something.
keita alieu said:
Why African nation like liberia and Guinea are not on lycamobile international bundles?
Rahul said:
Hey Ken,
I’m travelling across Europe and I purchased my lycamobile data sim in the Netherlands. Unfortunately it stopped working upon leaving the country. I keep receiving SMSes to set my data limit by dialling *175# but when I do that it shows me an error saying that this is an invalid code. I’m not sure what to do in this case. I’ve tried all the possible APN settings and have now defaulted to the original ones as on using them I get “lycamobile” and “3G” in my status bar. Also, sometimes whatsapp works which makes me think that the issue is the data limit which is set at very low(as whatsapp uses very little data allowing it to get through). Do you know of a way in which I can resolve this situation? I would really appreciate the help as I’m very dependent on the internet whilst travelling.
Thanks,
Rahul
Konstantinos said:
Hi Ken,
I am on Lyca and I have bought a new device which requires micro sim while my old one uses standard. How can I keep the same phone number with the new micro sim card?
Thank you,
Kostas
Ken replied:
Hi Kostas,
Thanks for your comment. You can call Lycamobile on 322 – they should be able to arrange for a replacement SIM card to be sent out for you. For more information, please see my guide on replacing your SIM card.
Hope this helps,
Ken
lena said:
I think it’s a disgrace that you have to wait 49min to get an answer from a company that is meant to be so great they just rip you off. giffgaff is giving £20 deal unlimited calls and texts and as much data as you can eat. guess where the better deal is, no competition at all
Atanga said:
I am a Lyca customer and to be sincere, i enjoy most of their services and they are the cheapest to call abroad. But if someone says this particular service is “pure junk, arrant nonsense, sucks” i wont blame that person cus theres no point saying that
the bundle is unlimited, and then bringing it down to 2G after the first 10GB… thats braking the law of fair contract terms such as wrong product info!!!
Steven Parkes said:
Hi Ken,
You’ve recommended Lycamobile recently. Is it possible to send MMS messages on this carrier? If so, How?
Ken replied:
Hi Steven,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible to send picture messages on Lycamobile (at least, I haven’t been able to find any info on how to do this).
Ken
Ian said:
Hi Ken!
Thanks for this, just went to see the Lycamobile website and it seems to suggest calls & SMS between Lycamobile users are free? Can you verify?
Thanks!
Ken replied:
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your comment! You’re right… calls and texts to other Lycamobile numbers are indeed free of charge on the Lycamobile network!
Ken
Nazakat Ali said:
Unlimited data mean?
I need really unlimited data(internet)
mary degannes said:
Dear sir,
I recently returned from the USA and discovered that their Lycamobile has unlimited domestic and international text plans depending on the plan that one chooses etc, etc.
Futhermore, looking at the UK Lycamobile, I’ve discovered that our plans are unprotected which means no unlimited international texts included etc.
For me to obtain an unlimited international text feature, how does one obtain with with their basic plan? I look forward to hearing from you about my humble request. thank you.
Ken replied:
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your comment. Lycamobile in the UK is a totally different network to Lycamobile in the US. As such, the two networks have substantially different tariffs. I’m not currently aware of any UK network offering unlimited international texting: as an alternative, you could consider using an instant messaging app (e.g. WhatsApp) to achieve the same outcome – all it requires is the other person also has the application installed (they can be anywhere in the world).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Paul said:
@onkalo….you quite obviously work for Lycamobile. I do not use the smartphone at home as I have broadband with Virgin. I work on call and can have 2 hours a day where I can freely browse the internet on my phone each working day – result? the 10GB of 4G has gone in less than 2 weeks. That 10GB has now been reduced to 5GB a month(July 2014). The ASA has recently UPHELD my complaint about Lycamobiles advertising claims. Unlimited should mean unlimited – not ‘unlimited’ to 5GB a month. They lie and flaunt the law as they see fit. Absolutely rubbish company.
brummie said:
Having been with both giffgaff and lycamobile
Have experienced exactly the same problems with chronic abuse of advertising a service that dose not exist yet one is expected to pay for after ² weeks with either company I found signal was greatly reduced dare I say it deliberately slowed down to the point of being useless
Yet they are happy to take ones money for this
It seems 2g is being sold but advertised as something its not
There is no such thing as being throtteled after 10g in fact next time one tops up you can expect 2g from the 1st day of usage
I be tried sims in various phones in Birmingham city center
Its not built up area or signal traffic
But simply
Selling mutton dressed as lamb
Don’t waste your time
By the way tesco mobile
Like the above company’s also have same problem ie
They all use o2 !!!
onkalo said:
Who the earth uses 10gb of mobile internet per month?? You’re so greedy!
I am on an unlimited goodybag from giffgaff and on one month i tried my best to use as much internet as i could possibly do and i couldnt use more than 6 -7 gb per month, and now on normal internet usage with heavy skyping, voip, hangouts, lots of internet radio listening and youtube and photo uploads to google+ i rarely reach 4 gb internet usage per month!
10 gb of 4g internet speeds (albeit them being slower as is on the slowest network possible – O2) then throttled down to EDGE speeds if, by a miracle it happens to go over 10gb, plus all those minutes and unlimited texts, plus such very low international calling for £12 or £15 or how much it costs is such a good generous offer! how much more can you ask for??
Stop being greedy! Obviously you have an internet connection at home which you are using it half of the time in a month, and for that rest of the time that you are mobile and on the go 10 gb of internet seems a very generous allowance!
Ken replied:
Hi Onkalo,
There’s a large variation in the amount of data different people use. I agree, 10GB is a lot of data (the average data consumption is closer to 1GB/month). Most people should be OK with a 10GB allowance. That said, I think the principle that many people are unhappy about is claiming 10GB to be truly unlimited. My own personal feeling is that Lycamobile should advertise the tariff as having “10GB of 4G internet” rather than “unlimited 4G internet”.
Ken
Rm replied:
That is bang on.. this is a clearly misleading ad..i am staying in the UK on work visa right now and bought this plan with glee..about a week down with video chats back home and some youtube surfing, i am being throttled to 2g.. sucks.. big time..
paul said:
Re lycamobile.
whats the point in having fast 4g Internet which then basically ‘dies’ with ridiculously slow speeds because you have used the 10gb up.
most smartphones will use thst 10gb up within 2 weeks so you are then stuck with crap Internet on your phone for the rest of the month.
YES…I AM A LYCA CUSTOMER.
I HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE ASA FOR MISLEADING ADVERTISING.