- Over five million mobile users on expired pay-monthly deals could save £321 a year by switching to a SIM Only package[1][2]
- Providers prepare for winter sale switching boom, with 6% more falling out of contract this January than 12 months ago[3]
Millions of Brits looking to get financially fit in the new year could save hundreds of pounds by taking advantage of the biggest-ever January price battle on mobile SIMs, according to Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
An estimated 5.5 million mobile customers are currently out of contract on a pay-monthly handset deal, yet are still paying for a device they now own[1]. By matching the phone with a new SIM Only contract they could save an average of £321 a year without breaking a sweat[2].
About a third of UK consumers (32%) currently pair their phone with a SIM Only deal, and the rise of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) — which use the signals of the main four networks Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three — has led to a flurry of competitive deals on the market and some great winter sales deals[4][5].
Many offers are available without a contract, giving customers the flexibility to leave at any time without penalty. Those willing to sign up for longer 12 or 24-month deals can also find some great deals, particularly for heavier data users.
January is a popular time to find the best mobile deals, with companies keen to continue their Christmas sales momentum and consumers looking out for new year bargains. Uswitch data shows 6% more mobile users will see their contract end this month, compared with January 2022[3]. Providers are also throwing in a variety of bonuses — from discounts to free streaming subscriptions — for people making the move to SIM Only.
Lycamobile, which runs off the O2 network, is offering 5GB of data, including unlimited calls and unlimited texts for £4.90 a month on a contract-free deal, reduced to £1.90 for the first three months. Those wanting a more generous data allowance with the same provider can get 15GB for £6.90 a month, reduced to £2.90 for the first three months.
Meanwhile, one of the best unlimited offers comes from iD Mobile. Its £17-a-month rolling deal gives unlimited data, calls and texts and includes Wi-Fi calling and three months’ subscription to Apple TV+, worth £20.97.
Uswitch urges mobile users to check when their deal ends. If they’re out of contract, they should run a comparison on the platform to review their options and see how much they can save.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “The new year is often a time for budgeting after the expense of Christmas and the long wait for the first payday of 2023.
“January is also when thousands of mobile consumers will go out of contract on their pay-monthly deals. As soon as this happens you now own your phone outright and are in the perfect position to cut your bills dramatically by switching to a SIM Only deal.
“If you’re happy to stand by your current handset, a flexible SIM offer will save you hundreds of pounds. Also, you can find a plan that is perfectly tailored to your usage and choose when you want to upgrade your device.
“The growth of virtual providers means there are plenty of deals to suit your budget or data needs so it always pays to check out the competition. If you’re with a major network and happy with the coverage it offers, research the companies that share its signal to see if you can save by switching to them.”
Table: Top January SIM Only deals live now
| Network | Monthly Data | Monthly texts and minutes | Contract length | Added extras? | Price per month |
| iD Mobile(runs on Three signal) | 4GB | Unlimited | 1 month | Wi-Fi calling 3 months’ free Apple TV+ | £6 |
| iD Mobile (runs on Three signal) | Unlimited | Unlimited | No contract | Wi-Fi calling 3 months free Apple TV+ | £17 |
| Lebara (runs on Vodafone signal)*Uswitch Exclusive | 21GB | Unlimited | No contract | No annual price rise | £3.18 for first three months, £7.95 thereafter |
| Lycamobile (runs on O2 signal)*Uswitch Exclusive | 5GB | Unlimited | No contract | – | £1.90 for first three months, £4.90 thereafter |
| Lycamobile (runs on O2 signal)*Uswitch Exclusive | 15GB | Unlimited | No contract | – | £2.70 for first three months, £6.90 thereafter |
| O2 | 20GB | Unlimited | 12 months | EU roaming included 3 months’ free Disney+ | £8 |
| O2 | 50GB | Unlimited | 12 months | EU roaming included 6 months’ free Disney+ | £12 |
| SMARTY (runs on Three signal)*Uswitch Exclusive | 30GB | Unlimited | No contract | – | £5 for first three months, £10 thereafter |
| Virgin Mobile (runs on O2 signal) | 25GB | Unlimited | 1 month | Data rollover | £5 for first three months, £10 thereafter |
| VOXI (runs on Vodafone signal) | 30GB | Unlimited | No contract | Unlimited data usage on social media | £10 |
Source: Uswitch.com
Information correct at time of issue 12 January 2023.
Notes to editors
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from the 14th to 18th October 2022. Results were weighted to reflect a nationally representative criteria.
1. Respondents were asked ‘When is your current broadband and mobile contract due to end? Please think of ‘in contract’ as currently being tied to a contract that has not yet expired, usually over a 12- or 24-month period’, 15.55% of respondents with a provider other than one that only offers SIM-only deals said ‘I’m out of contract’ or ‘November 2022’. 16.5% of UK adult population (52,890,000) = 8,224,395 people. According to Ofcom, 67% of mobile users have a handset as part of their contract, 67% of 8,224,395 = 5,510,344.
2. According to the latest savings figures from Uswitch, out-of-contract mobile customers with a handset as part of their deal can save £321 a year by moving to a SIM-only deal.
3. Uswitch internal data shows the number of consumers whose phone contract is ending in January 2023 is 6.0% up on January 2022
4. Statista: November 2022 — Mobile contract users in the United Kingdom (UK) who received a handset with the contract or a SIM card only in 2022. 32% of respondents opted for a SIM Only contract.
5. Deals provided by Uswitch.com are correct as of 04/01/23.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. We’ve saved consumers £2.5 billion off their energy bills since we launched in September 2000, and also help people find a better deal on their broadband, mobile and TV.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a global group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.
