Which networks piggyback off Vodafone's network?

Contents list 5G networks using Vodafone's infrastructure VOXI Asda Mobile Lebara Talkmobile Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you’re connecting to a mobile network in the UK then you’ll be connecting to either Vodafone’s, EE's, Three’s, or O2’s. That’s true even if you’re not directly with one of those networks, as all the MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) such as Sky Mobile, Giffgaff, and Tesco Mobile, are partnered with one of those four, and use their infrastructure.

So while there are a huge number of mobile networks in the UK, when you’re looking at 5G coverage you only really need to look at four of them – and then decide whether you want to go direct to a big name or use one of its MVNOs.

If you’ve decided that Vodafone’s is the 5G coverage that you want, then there are a few MVNOs that share its coverage, which you should also consider, as these are often cheaper or come with other perks that Vodafone itself might lack. To help you out, we’ve detailed your options below.

5G networks using Vodafone’s infrastructure

At the time of writing, four additional 5G networks use Vodafone’s infrastructure, and you’ll find details of them below.

VOXI

VOXI is actually owned by Vodafone, so why is it a distinct brand? Well, it’s aimed at a more youthful and price-conscious audience.

It offers a variety of 30-day SIM Only plans, so you’re not tied into a long contract, and these are typically cheaper than Vodafone’s 30-day SIM Only plans – though Vodafone additionally offers 12 and 24-month options, with lower monthly prices. And while VOXI beats Vodafone for price on comparable plans, it’s not as affordable as some of the networks below.

VOXI also gives you 5G as standard and its plans come with up to unlimited data. But pick a plan that doesn’t have unlimited data and you’ll get access to unlimited use of select social media apps and sites without them affecting your data allowance.

Most of its plans also offer the same for select video streaming sites – you still need to pay for the subscription where relevant, but you won’t eat up your data allowance by using them.

Its plans also come with unlimited calls and texts, and you can roam across most of Europe for a small additional fee. The network even offers 5G roaming in parts of Germany, Spain, Ireland, and Italy.

Asda Mobile

Asda Mobile offers a wide range of plans, including SIM Only, Pay As You Go, and the ability to buy phones on its network, and spread the cost over 24 months, much like a typical Pay Monthly handset plan – though here it’s presented more as taking out a loan.

In any case, its SIM Only plans are its main offering, and these last just 30 days, so you have plenty of flexibility. They’re also very affordably priced.

That said, while 5G comes with most of them, it isn’t included in all at the time of writing, so make sure you pick a plan that mentions 5G.

You also need to be careful with its unlimited data offerings, as some of these come with speed restrictions which stop you making the most of 5G. But as long as you read the details carefully you can get a high-speed unlimited data plan at a low price.

Asda Mobile also lets you roam at no extra cost in 37 European destinations, and you can do so at 5G speeds in parts of Germany, Spain, Ireland, and Italy.

Lebara

Lebara is an internationally focused MVNO that uses Vodafone’s infrastructure. What do we mean by internationally focused? Well, chiefly that it includes international minutes with most of its plans. Generally these let you call 42 different countries, but this varies a bit from plan to plan.

Lebara also lets customers roam at no extra cost in India, which is unusual, and that’s on top of the typical EU roaming.

5G data also comes as standard, you can get up to unlimited data, and its SIM Only plans are just 30 days long.

The main downsides of Lebara are simply that it doesn’t offer plan types other than SIM Only, and aside from its international extras it doesn’t offer as many perks as some networks.

Talkmobile

Talkmobile is – like VOXI – owned by Vodafone, and this is the company’s real budget network, though not so budget that it doesn’t offer 5G.

It’s a basic option with just a few handsets and a small number of SIM Only plans to choose from. However, you do have the choice of either a 30-day or 12-month plan, with the latter generally being cheaper per month since it locks you in for longer.

There’s little in the way of extras here and no unlimited data option, but its prices are low, though roaming costs extra. But as with other Vodafone MVNOs you can at least roam at 5G speeds in parts of Spain, Germany, Italy, and Ireland.

Frequently Asked Questions