Tesco SIM only deals Updated: 2024-12-02 09:24:56
Tesco Mobile has a fantastic range of budget friendly SIM only contracts and a superb customer service record.
Tesco Mobile has a fantastic range of budget friendly SIM only contracts and a superb customer service record.
- Collect Clubcard points for every £1 you spend
- Unlimited data plans available
- No mid contract price hikes
All you need to know about Tesco Mobile SIM Only Plans
Not just a supermarket, Tesco are one of the UK's largest Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) using the O2 network. Tesco was the first supermarket to launch into the world of mobiles way back in 2003. Aimed at the budget market, Tesco Mobile offers plenty of choice at extremely competitive prices.
Let's take a look in more detail at what Tesco Mobile has to offer.
Tesco SIM only plans
Tesco has a good choice of great value SIM only deals which should suit most customers needs.
With a choice of either 12 or 24 month contracts, data allowances start as low as 2Gb and come with unlimited minutes and texts.
Tesco Pay as you go SIM with Rocket Packs
Tesco Mobile also has the option for pay as you go SIMs, perfect for those that don't want to be tied into a contract or who don’t use their phone that much.
When you load money onto your SIM, you'll get a bundle of data, minutes and texts that last one month. Tesco call these bundles Rocket Packs. You can also set these up with a recurring payment each month so you don't have to remember to top-up.
Current Rocket Packs come with 500 minutes and 5000 texts, with data ranging from 2Gb to 100Gb.
Why choose Tesco Mobile?
Clubcard
Tesco Clubcard holders collect 1 point for every £1 spent. These points get turned into vouchers which can be put towards your weekly shopping, or bigger perks like days out. You also get double the value of your Clubcard vouchers when you spend them at Tesco Mobile.
Subscribe to the new Clubcard Plus for £7.99 per month and get extra benefits like:
- Double data and double Clubcard points from Tesco Mobile (conditions apply)
- 10% off two big shops in-store every month (exclusions and limits apply)
- 10% off selected Tesco Brands in-store, all the time
No price hikes
Unlike lots of other providers, Tesco Mobile promises not to up your price mid contract. They don't follow the inflation based mid contract price increases that some providers do, so you can be confident the price you sign up to is the price you will pay for the duration of your contract.
Capped contracts
Capped contracts give you peace of mind that there will no nasty shocks when your bill comes. You set the safety buffer that you are happy to pay to cover out of contract costs such as international calls, picture messages, or exceeding your monthly allowances. Once you hit that buffer then you will be blocked from anything that costs extra until your next billing period comes. You will of course still be able to use any remaining allowances you have left.
Family Perks
Tesco Family Perks is available to customers with two or more pay monthly (including SIM only) contracts. Each month, you get a Family Perk for each contract which includes up to 1Gb data, up to £2 of you bill and up to 200 Tesco Clubcard points. Each family member can choose the perk they want and this can also be changed each month. The exact amount you get in each perk depends on your monthly tariff price.
Coverage
Tesco Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). This means that they run by piggybacking onto another network.
Tesco share O2’s network, so you’ll get 99% coverage in the UK and their ever-growing 5G network.
Tethering
You are free to tether with Tesco Mobile (assuming your device supports this). Tethering is turning your phone into a personal hotspot so that you can use your mobile data allowance to get online with other devices like a laptop or tablet.
This can really chew through your data though so make sure to keep your eye on your allowance.
Customer Service
Tesco Mobile has a really strong customer service records. Ofcom named them the highest ranking mobile network for customer satisfaction with overall service, as well as being the least complained about network for six years running.
What's bad about Tesco Mobile?
No data rollover
Tesco Mobile doesn't roll over unused data at the end of every month. Anything you don't use simply gets lost.
No WiFi calling
Tesco does not support WiFi calling. It's still a bit of a premium feature and so tends not to be available on the more budget friendly networks. However there are a few alternative apps you could use instead, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
No WiFi hotspots
There are no free WiFi hotspots to use whilst you're out and about with Tesco Mobile. Probably not a deal breaker for most users, but certainly something to take into account when considering the amount of data you will need.
Roaming on Tesco Mobile
Tesco originally stated they had no current plans to re-introduce roaming charges in the EU following Brexit. However in June 2022 they reversed this and announced it would only be till the end of 2022.
For the rest of 2022 you can take your minutes, texts and data with you to 48 destinations in the EU and beyond with Tesco’s Home From Home. Use your phone just like you do at home, at no extra cost.
Customers who joined before 16th June 2022 will continue to benefit from free EU roaming after 2022. Those who joined or upgraded their plan after 16th June 2022 will face additional EU roaming charges once 2023 arrives.
Visit Tesco Mobile to view the full list of countries included in Home From Home.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tesco Mobile offer unlimited data?
Yes, Tesco offer unlimited data packages on both 12 and 24 month contracts. Plus their Unlimited Data plans have no speed limits, so you won’t be slowed down.
Does Tesco Mobile offer one month contracts?
Tesco offers its pay as you go SIM with Rocket packs which last for a month. You can set these up as a recurring payment each month or just top up when needed.
Do I need to get my phone unlocked?
Possibly. In December 2021 Ofcom banned the sale of locked phones, so if you bought it after then you should be fine. If you bought your phone prior to December 2021 then it could need unlocking. You can check by borrowing a SIM from someone on another network. If it is locked, you will need to get in touch with your existing provider who can unlock it remotely for you. This usually only takes a few days but may come with a small charge.
Does Tesco Mobile support WiFi calling?
No, Tesco Mobile does not currently offer WiFi calling.
Which Network Does Tesco Mobile Use.
Tesco Mobile uses O2's mobile network, which covers 99% of the UK population.
Is Tesco Mobile a good network?
Tesco are an excellent network. They have a great customer service record as the least complained about network for six years running, as well as great coverage with the O2 network.
How do I switch to Tesco SIM only?
Switching to Tesco SIM only couldn't be easier. Once you have found the deal you want, simply click the ‘View Deal’ button. This will take you to Tesco’s website, who will guide you through the rest of the process. Or you can click the link below to go direct to the Tesco website.
