By Tesco Mobile offers unlimited data plans from £25/month with 5G coverage from the O2 network.
If you’re looking for unlimited data with coverage from O2, one of the best value options is currently to get an unlimited data plan from Tesco Mobile. Currently available from £25 per month, you’ll also get unlimited UK minutes and texts included.
In this article, we’ll review Tesco Mobile’s unlimited data plans. We’ll look at the unlimited data offers currently available at Tesco Mobile, along with the download speeds you can expect and the fair usage policy. We’ll also compare Tesco’s unlimited data plans to those available on other networks, before looking at the coverage available and how to keep your current number.
| Prices From: | £25 per month |
|---|---|
| Contract Length: | 12 month or 24 month contract |
| Fair Usage: | Personal use only in a mobile device. No fair usage limit. |
| Coverage: | 4G & 5G coverage from O2 (check postcode) |
Contents
Tesco Mobile Unlimited Data Plans
Tesco Mobile currently offers some of the best value deals if you’re looking for an unlimited data plan with 5G coverage from O2. They currently offer unlimited data plans from £25 per month.
The following table shows Tesco Mobile’s unlimited data SIM cards:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost (will rise each April by CPI inflation plus 3.9%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 24 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £30.00 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
In addition, you can get unlimited data when you buy a new phone from Tesco Mobile. They currently offer a wide range of smartphones from manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung. You can get unlimited data on all of these phones, with 5G included when you choose a 5G-ready phone.
Download Speeds
On Tesco Mobile, you’ll get 5G at no extra cost when you order a 5G SIM card from the Tesco Mobile website. This gives you access to O2’s 5G network, with an average download speed of 150Mbps. This is around six times faster than their 4G network. You’ll need to have a 5G phone to access 5G download speeds on Tesco Mobile.
If you don’t currently have a 5G phone or 5G coverage in your area, you’ll have access to 4G download speeds on Tesco Mobile. This normally averages around 25Mbps.
According to the Tesco Mobile website, there are no speed limits on their unlimited data plans. They also say that they won’t slow you down for using too much data:
Our Unlimited Data plans have no speed limits and no data caps. We promise not to slow you down just because you love data. And there are no hidden costs. Just data for everything you need.
Fair Usage Policy
Tesco Mobile doesn’t have any fair usage limits for their unlimited data plan. They simply say their unlimited data plans are for “personal use only” and that you need to use the SIM card inside a mobile device:
As long as you use your unlimited data for your personal use and on your own mobile, you’ve nothing to worry about.
…
You can’t use it in a home router for home broadband.
You can read the full fair usage policy on the Tesco Mobile website.
If you need a SIM card for 4G home broadband, you should consider a different SIM card. This is because Tesco Mobile prohibits the use of their unlimited data SIM card inside a 4G home broadband router.
Comparison to Alternatives
At £25 per month, Tesco Mobile currently offers one of the best value deals if you’re looking for unlimited data with coverage from O2.
It’s also possible to get unlimited data with O2 coverage when you order a SIM card from giffgaff or O2:
- giffgaff offers a £25 Always On goodybag with 4G speeds on the first 80GB per month. Their closest comparable 5G unlimited data plan is the £35 golden goodybag.
- O2 offers unlimited data and 5G from £20 per month. You’ll get some other benefits included on O2 such as 6 months of free Apple Music and a free O2 Extra such as 6 months of Disney+.
The following table shows a comparison of unlimited data plans with coverage from O2:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by CPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £30.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by CPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £32.99 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £33.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £35.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £36.00 per month 1 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £44.49 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £46.49 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
Other Mobile Networks
If you’re also willing to consider other mobile networks for your unlimited data plan, the following table shows your alternative options:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data | £14.00 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £16.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by RPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data 100Mbps max speed | £20.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each March by £1.50 | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £22.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.50 | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £22.50 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by CPI inflation plus 3.9% | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data 10Mbps max speed | £30.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.80 | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £35.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
For more information, see our full guide to unlimited data plans in the UK.
Network & Coverage
4G & 5G Coverage From O2
In the UK, Tesco Mobile uses O2 as their network coverage provider. This means you’ll get the same coverage as customers on O2.
When you’re using Tesco’s 2G, 3G and 4G network, you can expect 99% population coverage across the UK. In addition, you’ll have access to 5G coverage, as long as you’re using a 5G-ready phone.
Before you sign up, it’s worth making sure that you’re able to get coverage where you live. You can do this by entering your postcode on Tesco Mobile’s online coverage map:
Check Tesco Mobile Coverage (tescomobile.com) →
For more information, see our guide to O2’s network and coverage. You can also see a full list of other mobile networks that use O2 coverage.
Tethering & Personal Hotspot
Tethering or personal hotspot refers to the process of sharing your smartphone’s internet connection with another device (e.g. with your laptop or tablet). It’s often used as a convenient way to get mobile broadband on other devices.
You can use tethering and personal hotspot without any limits on Tesco Mobile’s unlimited data plan. The only restriction is that it needs to be for your own personal use and that the SIM card must be placed inside a mobile device.
International Roaming
You can also use your Tesco Mobile SIM card when you travel abroad to more than 100 countries around the world.
If you’re travelling to one of 48 European Home From Home destinations, you can use your Tesco Mobile plan allowances at no extra cost. There’s no specific limit on how much data you can use abroad but you’ll need to spend the majority of your time in the UK.
If you’re travelling to a destination outside Europe, you’ll need to pay Tesco’s standard international roaming rates instead (e.g. 89p/minute, 40p/text and £5/MB for data in the USA). It won’t be possible to use the allowances from your plan.
Keeping Your Phone Number
If you’re joining Tesco Mobile from another UK mobile network, it’s easy to keep your current phone number.
Start by ordering your new unlimited data SIM card from the Tesco Mobile website, or your new Pay Monthly phone if you’d like a new device. Once you’ve done that, you can request a PAC Code from your current network. You can get one through your mobile network’s website or app, or by texting PAC to 65075.
When your new Tesco Mobile SIM card arrives in the post, place it inside your mobile phone and text PORT to 23424. Once you’ve done that, follow the instructions provided and your phone number will normally be moved over on the next working day.
For step-by-step instructions on transferring your phone number to Tesco Mobile, please select your current mobile network from the drop-down menu below:
Frequently Asked Questions
| How much do unlimited data plans cost on Tesco Mobile? | It’s currently possible to get an unlimited data plan from £25/month on Tesco Mobile. This includes 5G at no extra cost and 6 months of free Clubcard Plus. The latter allows you to save up to £40 per month on your shopping at Tesco. |
|---|---|
| Is there a fair usage limit for unlimited data on Tesco Mobile? | There are no fair usage limits for unlimited data on Tesco Mobile. They simply say that it needs to be for “personal use only”. You also can’t use the SIM card for 4G home broadband. |
| Can I use tethering or personal hotspot on Tesco Mobile’s unlimited data plans? | Yes. You can use tethering and personal hotspot without any restrictions, as long as your Tesco Mobile unlimited data SIM card is inside a mobile device. |
| What download speeds will I get? | On Tesco Mobile, you can access O2’s 5G network at no extra cost. This will give you an average download speed of around 150Mbps. If you’re using a 4G phone or are in a 4G coverage area, you can expect an average download speed of 25Mbps instead. |
| Can I keep my current phone number? | Yes. It’s easy keeping your phone number when you join Tesco Mobile. Simply ask your current mobile network to provide you with a PAC Code. You can get one from your mobile network’s website or app, or by texting PAC to 65075. You should give this code to Tesco Mobile once you’ve signed up for the network. |
More Information
For more information about Tesco’s unlimited data plans, please see the official Tesco Mobile website. You can also read our full overview of unlimited data plans in the UK.
Volodymyr said:
Hi Ken, I have a question on Tethering. In the article it says:
You can use tethering and personal hotspot without any limits on Tesco Mobile’s unlimited data plan. The only restriction is that it needs to be for your own personal use and that the SIM card must be placed inside a mobile device.
The question is if working from home considered a personal use?
Thanks in advance,
Kind regards
Ken replied:
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment, and that’s a very good question: it depends on your interpretation of that. For me, the key thing about “personal use” is that it’s non-commercial (i.e. that you aren’t using it to offer Wi-Fi to other people, reselling it, etc). So I think you should probably be fine 🙂
Ken
Mark Kelly said:
Heads up tesco unlimited sim is only for people who take out a handset with them as well. For others, they have 950GB limit on sim only.
Ken replied:
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the heads up about this! Do you have a reference or source for the 950GB fair usage limit? I’m not aware they have this and haven’t seen anything about it on the Tesco Mobile website but it’s possible I might have missing something out!
Thanks,
Ken