Unlimited Data Sim-Only Deals Worth Switching to in the UK
While there are several mobile network providers in UK offering SIM-only deals, there are hardly a couple of them who have unlimited data plans. SIM-only deals or contracts (even those without unlimited data) are worth the switch as they are not bundled with a handset and, hence, priced quite affordably. You can use the SIM with your current or new handset and will actually be paying only for the talk-time, messages and data.
That said, SIM-only deals with unlimited data are available with Three and GiffGaff, making your choice pretty simple. Let’s take a look at what these mobile network providers have instore for those opting for unlimited data plans.
giffgaff
This £20.00 monthly goodybag or SIM-only plan packs in unlimited calls, text messages and Always On (managed) data, plus free calls and texts to other numbers on the giffgaff network. The only catch here is that the Always On data at 4GB speeds is capped at 6GB, after which data speeds tend to drop to 384kbps for the major part of the day (8AM – midnight). Roaming charges of 0.78p/MB will apply when in the EU and other select locations once you’ve exceeded the 6GB limit. Piggybacking on O2’s network infrastructure, giffgaff provides good connectivity in areas covered by the network.
Three
Three offers quite a few SIM-only deals with unlimited data – contracts ranging from a month to 12 months, and priced based on the talk-time (minutes). A couple of these plans are truly unlimited – in the sense, they include unlimited minutes as well.
The advanced 12-month unlimited SIM-only deal priced at £28 a month is ideal for anyone who uses their phone extensively for Internet access, messaging and voice calls. This plan includes free roaming data at 65 international locations, access to the Go Binge services, but is limited to 12GB in a Feel At Home destination, and tethering or personal mobile hotspot use capped at 30 GB per month. If you are a compulsive user of your smartphone, do check out the specifics of this deal.
An advanced 30-day rolling contract is also available but is priced higher at £32.00. While Three mobile is currently the only big mobile network offering a truly unlimited data deal, a rolling plan enables you to try out the offer without being bound by a lengthy contract, should you wish to opt out. This deal may work fine, especially if you are in need of unlimited data access just for a short period of time.
Three, unlike giffgaff, does not drastically cut down on data access speeds but does have a system or policy to manage or control traffic so that the network does not freeze. Using TrafficSense, Three’s proprietary traffic management system, it does cap specific types of data sharing or access that may hamper performance levels. You will most likely see a dip in speeds when trying to carry out data–intensive tasks at select times of the day – typically in the evenings.
Conclusion
As noted earlier, SIM-only contracts are definitely cheaper and those offering unlimited data are quite affordable as well. In case you already have a mobile phone and are bound by a contract, do check with your mobile network provider on the formalities to unlock your phone before you switch to the new network. You may need to pay a fee to get your phone unlocked, but more importantly you’re likely to invalidate the phone’s warranty by doing so. SIM-only contracts with unlimited data from both Three and giffgaff are worth the switch, but make sure you carefully research the pros and cons before taking the plunge!