Best Tesco Mobile SIM and mobile phone deals

Ray Ali
September 27, 2023

Tesco, the largest supermarket in the UK, operates its own mobile network. Tesco Mobile offers budget-friendly SIM only deals, which include the added advantage of international roaming. What’s more, some of these deals are exclusively discounted for members of Tesco Clubcard. Read on to find out more about Tesco Mobile and its best deals.

Why should I choose a Tesco Mobile SIM deal?

Tesco Mobile’s USP is that you earn Clubcard points each time you pay your phone bill. On top of that, Tesco Mobile has a lot going for it, including good speeds and country-wide coverage (thanks to O2’s network), affordable prices, and no price increases mid-contract. It’s a great shout if you’re looking for a no-fuss SIM only deal.

How to find the best Tesco Mobile deal for me

As always, before signing a new phone deal, you should make sure it meets your needs. If you’re signing up for a 12 or 24-month Tesco Mobile SIM only plan, ensure you have a phone that you’ll be content with for the duration of the terms, as the SIM only deal won’t come with a phone.

After that, consider the kind of data allowance you’ll require. Tesco Mobile plans start at 2GB of data per month, which is sufficient for basic use like browsing, emailing and replying to messages – especially if you plan to use your phone primarily at home. But you should think about getting more data if you intend to stream content while you’re on the go.

Tesco Mobile SIM only deals, for instance, can come with unlimited data or from 12GB, 30GB, 60GB and all the way up to 100GB of data (all deals come with unlimited texts and calls). Checking your current data use before deciding which is best for you is a recommended move.

The majority of Tesco Mobile SIM only contracts last 12 or 24 months. But there is also the pay as you go option if you don’t want to commit. You can purchase a specific amount of data, minutes and texts for a set price. But these “Rocket Packs” only last for one month. They might be a good choice if you want the freedom to switch networks at any time.

Another thing to do is use Tesco Mobile’s 5G network checker to find out if your area is covered.

If so, and you have a 5G-capable phone, we strongly advise that you get a 5G SIM. Not only will you pay the same as for 4G but you’ll enjoy much quicker speeds.

Coverage area

Tesco Mobile has 99.9% UK coverage thanks to its use of the O2 mobile network infrastructure. According to OpenSignal, O2’s network also offers an average 4G connection speed of 15.06Mbps. So you’re in safe hands with Tesco Mobile.

Customer service

The Tesco customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 10 pm and on weekends from 8 am to 8 pm. Callers can get in touch at 0845 301 4455.

The Tesco Mobile website also provides information on what to do if your phone is lost or stolen, as well as helpful guides for getting the most out of your device.

Benefits

Earn Clubcard points through your phone.
Top coverage and speeds via O2’s mobile network
5G in more than 160 UK towns and cities
Extremely affordable SIMs
No price increases mid-contract
Plans for one month, a year, and two years are offered
Register multiple SIM cards to receive Family Perks.
Clubcard Plus members get double data
Option to set a spending limit to avoid unanticipated bill shock

Roaming

All Tesco Mobile customers can enjoy mobile roaming in 48 European countries. This means you can use your UK allowance while abroad at no extra cost.

Tesco Mobile has also stated that it has “No current plans to reinstate roaming fees in European countries.”

This is a refreshing stance considering many other networks, including Vodafone, EE, and Three, have already brought roaming charges back.

Mobile app

The Tesco mobile app is the simplest way to manage your spending, monitor your data consumption and pay your bill.

If you need additional data, you can buy a bundle through the app, as well as get in touch with customer service if you need help with your account.

You can also use the Tesco Mobile app to find out what your current upgrade options are and when your contract is set to expire.

Contract lengths

Tesco Mobile contracts vary in length depending on what plan you sign up to. For instance, you could get a 12 month SIM only deal, or a 24 month pay monthly phone deal. Or you could get a rolling 30-day SIM only deal or even a pay as you go package with no commitment at all.

Upfront costs or set-up fees

There are no set-up fees involved with a Tesco Mobile SIM only deal. The only payment you’ll have to make is the agreed monthly cost of your calls, data and text message allowance.

Data rollover

Tesco Mobile does not include data rollover as a benefit, so you’ll lose any data you don’t use at the end of the month. That said, if you choose the right package based on your usage habits, you should get just enough data to see you through to the end of the month. This way, you won’t be paying extra for data you don’t need.

Tariffs

Tesco Mobile provides two excellent options for making the most of its network: pay monthly SIM only and pay as you go tariffs.

SIM only deals come in a range of data bundles, allowing customers to select a plan that best meets their requirements.

Customers who choose the pay as you go tariff enjoy flexible monthly credit that can be used as they wish. Half-price calls and messages to your top five designated numbers are also included.

All customers on Tesco Pay As You Go and SIM only plans earn 30 Clubcard points every time they spend £10.

Wi-Fi calling

No signal when you need to use the phone? No stress! Wi-Fi Calling is here to help. Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make and receive calls like normal even if your signal is weak, provided you are connected to Wi-Fi. There’s no extra charge for Wi-Fi calling either, it simply comes out of your allowance like a regular call.

Tethering policy

As long as your plan has a data allowance included, you can use your mobile phone as a hotspot thanks to Tesco Mobile’s tethering feature. So next time you need to connect a laptop or other device to the internet, you can do it using your mobile data plan and Android or iOS smartphone. Just be aware that it will come out of your specified GB allocation.

Tesco Mobile phone deals

Looking for a mobile phone deal? Tesco Mobile’s pay monthly plans combine the latest devices with data, calls and texts, so you get everything you need in one handy bundle. Here’s just some of the phones that are available on Tesco Mobile:

Other networks

Tesco Mobile not what you’re looking for? No problem, there are many more UK networks with offers to compare, take your pick from any of the following providers:

FAQs

Will I need to sign a contract?

If you choose a long term SIM only deal, you will need to sign a contract that confirms the length of the deal and the monthly payment arrangement. However, you won’t need to do this if you opt for a rolling 30-day contract or a pay as you go package.

Is Tesco Mobile connected to O2?

Yes, Tesco Mobile uses O2’s infrastructure to create its network. That means you get the assured quality of O2’s coverage and connections, with the cheaper deals and additional extras of Tesco Mobile.

Will I need to pass a Tesco Mobile credit check?

As with most mobile phone providers, Tesco Mobile will ask you to complete a credit check when you sign up for a long term deal (12 months or more). However, you can bypass this if you opt for a 30-day deal instead, as you won’t be making the same level of financial commitment.

If I switch to Tesco Mobile can I keep my current phone number?

Yes, there’s no need to change your number if you don’t want to. Just send a text to 65075 to get your PAC code then pass this onto Tesco Mobile and they’ll carry over your number.

Ray Ali

Ray has been helping consumers with his mobile knowledge for over six years. His expertise focuses on all things tech, from the latest smartphone releases to gadget tips and money-saving advice. He has worked for major consumer brands, including Uswitch, Carphone Warehouse and Curry’s. Ray is often featured in the press both in print and on national broadcasts, including BBC radio, The Guardian, Wired, io9, Daily Mail, inews, The Scotsman and The Sun.

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