Networks like giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile & Virgin Mobile piggyback on O2’s network for coverage.
The UK has only four network coverage providers: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Alongside them, there are a number of “virtual network operators” that piggyback on coverage from one of the four big networks.
If you’d like access to O2’s coverage on your phone, it isn’t always necessary to be an O2 customer. This is because you can also get an O2 signal when you’re using a SIM card from giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile or Virgin Mobile.
In this article, we’ll present a list of mobile networks that offer coverage from O2. We’ll start by looking at some of the best value deals with O2 coverage including SIM-only deals, unlimited data plans and Pay As You Go bundles. We’ll then look at each mobile network in more detail, including the specific features and plans they offer.
O2 Coverage: | 99% UK population coverage |
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Networks Using O2: | |
5G Coverage: |
Available in 193 UK towns and cities from:
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Best Unlimited Data Plan: | £30/month on O2 (with 5G coverage and 6 months free Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video) |
Best Pay As You Go Bundle: | 15GB data for £10/month on giffgaff (£10 golden goodybag with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts & 15GB data) |
Contents
Overview Of Networks Using O2
Besides O2, there are five other mobile networks that also offer coverage from O2’s network in the UK. These networks are giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
If you’re using one of these five networks, you’ll get the same coverage as customers on O2. However, you’ll pay a different price for your plan. You may also have different features and benefits included on your plan.
The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of mobile networks using coverage from O2:
Mobile Network | Plans From | O2 Coverage | Key Features |
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giffgaff | £6/month | 4G & 5G |
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Lycamobile | £1/month | 4G & 5G |
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O2 | £13/month | 4G & 5G |
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Sky Mobile | £7/month | 4G & 5G |
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Tesco Mobile | £7.50/month | 4G & 5G | |
Virgin Mobile | £7/month | 4G & 5G |
You’ll have access to O2’s 5G network if you’re using a 5G-ready plan. Meanwhile, if you’re using a 4G plan, you’ll be restricted to coverage from O2’s 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
SIM Only Plans
If you’re looking for a low-cost SIM-only deal with O2 coverage, you can choose from a range of plans at the following providers:
- giffgaff tends to be a good option if you’re looking for lots of flexibility as all of their plans are available with no contract and no credit check. This gives you the flexibility to change your plan every month (e.g. upgrading to a plan with more data or downgrading to a cheaper plan to save some money).
- O2 gives you 6 months of free Disney+ or another O2 Extra on their SIM-only plans. You’ll also get access to exclusive discounts and offers through the O2 Priority app (e.g. a free treat from Greggs each week).
- Sky Mobile offers SIM-only deals with unlimited data for streaming through Sky TV apps (e.g. for streaming Sky Go or Sky Sports on your phone). You’ll also be able to store unused data within your Sky Piggybank for up to 3 years.
- Tesco Mobile offers SIM cards on a 12-month and 18-month contract. You can earn Tesco Clubcard points on all of your Tesco Mobile spend. Clubcard Plus members will get double data on their Tesco Mobile plan.
- Virgin Mobile offers basic SIM-only deals on a 30-day rolling basis. You’ll be able to rollover your unused data into the following month’s plan.
The following table shows a selection of the best value SIM cards that use O2 coverage:
Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost |
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![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | £6.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | £7.00 12 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | £10.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 60GB | £12.50 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £25.00 24 months |
You can compare the full range of available SIM-only deals using our interactive comparison tool.
5G SIM Only Plans
If you want access to O2’s 5G network, you can choose a 5G-ready plan from one of the following providers:
- giffgaff offers 5G coverage as standard on all of their plans. On the £25 Always-On goodybag, the maximum download speed is restricted to 384kbps after the first 80GB per month.
- O2 offers 5G at no extra cost on all of their Pay Monthly plans, as long as you tell them you have a 5G phone when signing up.
- Sky Mobile offers 5G at no extra cost on all of their plans.
- Tesco Mobile offers a range of 5G-ready SIM cards from £7.50/month.
- Virgin Mobile offers 5G coverage at no extra cost of all of their latest SIM-only plans.
The following table shows a selection of the best value SIM cards with 5G coverage from O2:
Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost |
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![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 20GB | £9.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | £10.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 60GB | £12.50 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100GB | £17.50 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £25.00 24 months |
Unlimited Data Plans
If you’d like an unlimited data plan with coverage from O2, you can currently choose between unlimited data SIM cards from giffgaff, O2, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
On giffgaff, you can get Always-On data for £25 per month. This gives you unlimited downloads with 5G speeds on the first 80GB per month. If you want unlimited data with uncapped download speeds on 5G, you’ll need to pay £35 for giffgaff’s golden goodybag with unlimited data.
On Tesco Mobile, unlimited data is available from £25 per month. Meanwhile, you can get O2’s unlimited data plan for £30 per month and Virgin Mobile’s unlimited data plan for £30 per month. You’ll get uncapped 5G speeds on all of these plans.
The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of unlimited data plans using coverage from O2:
Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost |
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![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £25.00 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30.00 12 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30.00 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £31.99 24 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £33.00 12 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £34.99 12 months |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £35.00 1 month |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £36.00 1 month |
For more information, see our full guide to unlimited data plans in the UK.
Pay As You Go Plans
If you’re looking for a Pay As You Go service with coverage from O2, it’s possible to choose from one of the following providers:
- giffgaff: You can use giffgaff on a Pay As You Go basis without a regular monthly fee. You’ll just pay 25p/minute, 10p/text and 10p/MB. Alternatively, you can get a one-month goodybag from £6 which comes with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and an allowance of data.
- Lycamobile: In the UK, Lycamobile also offers Pay As You Go plans with low-cost international calls.
- O2 Big Bundles: You can use O2’s Big Bundles plan on Pay As You Go without the need for a credit check. Bundles start from £10/month for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and an allowance of 4G data.
The following table shows a selection of the best Pay As You Go bundles using coverage from O2:
Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Monthly Cost |
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![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | £6.00 |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | £8.00 |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 20GB | £10.00 |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100GB | £20.00 |
![]() | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £35.00 |
For more information, see our guide to the best Pay As You Go SIM cards in the UK.
Mobile Networks Using O2 Coverage
In the following section, we’ll look at each of the mobile networks using coverage from O2 in more detail.
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giffgaff
All of giffgaff’s plans are available on a one-month rolling basis, allowing you to change it or to cancel it whenever you like. The following table shows giffgaff’s goodybag plans:
If you’re using a 5G-ready phone, you’ll get access to O2’s 5G network included on all of the plans from giffgaff. However, the £25 goodybag with Always-On data has a maximum download speed of 384kbps between 8am and midnight once you’ve used more than 80GB of data in one month. It’s also possible to use giffgaff on a pure Pay As You Go basis without the need to top-up your phone every month. If you do this, you’ll pay 25p/minute, 10p/text and 10p/MB.
For more information, see our giffgaff review. |
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Lycamobile
As of 2022, 5G coverage is now available on Lycamobile’s plans if you’re using a compatible 5G-ready Android device. Customers with an iPhone are limited to 4G, even if you’re using a 5G-capable device. The following table shows the key things to know about plans on Lycamobile:
For more information, see our Lycamobile review. |
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O2
The two main benefits of joining O2 as a direct customer are that you’ll get access to the O2 Priority app along with 6 months of free Disney+ (or a different O2 Extra such as Amazon Prime Video if you prefer). The following table shows O2’s best value SIM-only deals:
You’ll get access to 5G at no extra cost on all of O2’s Pay Monthly plans. Simply tell them you have a 5G phone when you sign up. You can also use O2 on a Pay As You Go basis without the need for a contract or credit check. O2’s Big Bundles start from £10/month with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and an allowance of mobile data included. However, O2’s Pay As You Go customers are restricted to 4G speeds.
O2 also offers a range of phones on an O2 Refresh Pay Monthly plan. For more information, see our guide to O2. |
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Sky Mobile
All Sky Mobile plans include unlimited data for streaming on Sky TV apps including Sky Go, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and more (you’ll still need to pay for a subscription to the relevant service on your TV). You’ll also benefit from data rollover with your unused data being stored in a piggybank for up to 3 years. Sky Mobile’s SIM-only deals are as follows:
Customers buying a Pay Monthly phone from Sky can benefit from Swap Pay Monthly plans. These plans will allow you to upgrade your phone, every 12 months or every 24 months.
For more information, see our Sky Mobile review. You can also read our in-depth guide about the coverage on Sky Mobile. |
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Tesco Mobile
You’ll also earn Tesco Clubcard points on all of your spending at Tesco Mobile. In addition, if you’re a Clubcard Plus customer, you’ll get double data on your plan as well.
The following table shows the key things to know about Tesco Mobile:
For more information, see our Tesco Mobile review. |
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Virgin Mobile
If you’re an existing Virgin Mobile customer, you may currently receive coverage from Vodafone on your plan. However, all Virgin Mobile customers will eventually be moved over to O2’s coverage. You can get a new 5G-ready SIM card from £7 per month on Virgin Mobile. All Virgin Mobile SIM cards include unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and an allowance of 5G data. You’ll also get data rollover included on all plans, along with data-free messaging which allows you to use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Twitter without consuming data on your plan.
If you have a compatible device, you can also access 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling on the Virgin Mobile network.
For more information, see our Virgin Mobile review. You may also find it helpful to read our guide on Virgin Mobile’s network and coverage as well as their 5G service. |
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Other NetworksYou’ll also get O2 coverage if you’re using a SIM card from CUniq UK. This is a specialist mobile network from China Unicom and is targeted at the Chinese expatriate community in the UK. In the past, TalkTalk had announced their intentions to launch a mobile network using coverage from O2. However, this arrangement was cancelled in 2018. TalkTalk customers were instead offered a discounted SIM card from O2. |
Compare O2 Coverage Deals
If you’d like to compare all of the SIM-only deals using coverage from O2, you can use the following interactive comparison tool.
Start by choosing how much data you’d like, followed by the contract length you’d be happy to sign up for, and the mobile networks you’re considering. You’ll then be shown a list of available deals that match your criteria.
If you’d also like to compare deals using a different coverage provider, see our full guide to SIM-only deals in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses the O2 network? | In the UK, the following mobile networks offer coverage from O2:
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Will I get the same coverage on another network that piggybacks on O2? | If you’re using another network that piggybacks on O2, you’ll have access to the same 2G, 3G and 4G coverage as customers on O2. In addition, you’ll also have access to O2’s 5G network if you’re using a 5G-ready plan from giffgaff, Sky, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile. |
Which mobile networks offer O2 5G coverage? | O2 offers a 5G mobile service in 193 UK towns and cities. You can access O2’s 5G coverage on the following mobile networks:
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What coverage does O2 offer in the UK? | O2 currently offers the following types of coverage in the UK:
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More Information
For more information, read our full guide on O2’s network and coverage in the UK. You can also read our in-depth reviews of giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
Phil said:
I live in a remote area and want to use 4g as my main broadband. O2 are the only ones who have a strong enough signal. They have an unlimited data deal, but the small print says you can only use it in a phone and not a ‘modem’. Seems crazy, as I could tether a phone and use just as much data, but it would be messy compared to a dedicated 4g router/modem… I’ll probably need about 400Gb per month.
NickP replied:
You are allowed to use a phone SIM for data in a modem or router.
https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/sim-cards-for-your-tablet-dongle-router-or-iot-device
Joseph hague said:
I have been a giffgaff customer for a few years now,and have been very happy with it,until my internet connection went and there is no one to contact about it?
M bethell replied:
You can look on giffgaffs website and email a adviser with you problem. To be fair I have been with giffgaffs for years and if I have ever had I problem it has been sorted out in a timely manner
Grant said:
I want a low usage tariff like O2’s ‘Classic Pay As You Go’, but I am confused by their terms and conditions.
In one section it states you must Top Up every 6 months
Classic Pay As You Go
When you join Classic Pay As You Go, you pay for what you use, as you go. The minimum
top up requirement is £10.
‘If you don’t top up, or add a Bolt On at least once in any six month period, your mobile will be
disconnected and you’ll lose any credit on your account. If you want to be reconnected you’ll
be given a new mobile number.’
But in the Terms and Conditions paragraph 7.1. it states that you are only required to use the SIM every 6 months
7.1. If you do not carry out any chargeable activity at least once in any 6 month period your
Mobile Phone will be disconnected and you will lose any remaining credits balance on your
Account. If you wish to be re-connected after this time you will be given a new Mobile Phone
number.
Do I have to only use the SIM every 6 months as it states. Or do I need to ‘Top Up’ £10 every 6 months as well as using the SIM?
Ken replied:
Hi Grant,
Thanks for your comment. This is a question that lots of people have discussed in the comments on my full guide to O2 Classic Pay As You Go. I believe the general consensus is this was sloppy wording from O2, and you just had to use your phone for a chargeable activity once every 6 months. However, if this is likely to be an issue, I’d recommend double-checking directly with O2.
Ken