Talkmobile vs O2: which network offers the best experience?

✔ Call signal is close, but Talkmobile have better 4G

O2 own the network they use to provide signal while Talkmobile are a smaller provider who piggyback off Vodafone’s network for signal. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of either networks?

For call signal (3G/2G), there’s not much to separate the two. They both cover around 99% of the UK’s landmass and most of the places where people live. But indoor call signal is generally a bit better on O2.

4G data signal is very similar between the two networks in urban areas. However, Talkmobile’s 4G coverage in rural areas is a bit more widespread than on O2.

In all, coverage is pretty close between the two. But Talkmobile’s more widespread 4G data signal just puts them out ahead. Still, it’s worth checking both networks’ coverage maps here before joining either.

Useful link: O2’s coverage map | Talkmobile coverage map

✔ O2 provide 5G in a lot more locations than Talkmobile

Talkmobile get full access to their host’s 5G network who, just like O2, have been rapidly expanding the amount of locations they provide 5G in as well as improving coverage in those locations.

O2 clearly come out ahead in terms of the sheer number of locations with 5G live in 2000+ UK towns and cities. On the other hand, Talkmobile have 5G live in 160+ locations.

Both networks tend to be good at covering the more populated areas within their locations, such as transport hubs, stadiums and high streets. But O2 tend to have better coverage in their live locations.

Still, this will depend per location. So you should use both networks’ coverage checkers below to see which one provides 5G near you and if they both do, check which has more widespread 5G in your area.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks

✔ Talkmobile’s 4G data speeds are typically faster

You’ll typically be on 4G more often than 5G, so it’s more important for networks to provide faster 4G data speeds in our eyes. Between the two, Talkmobile provide the healthier 4G data speeds.

This is backed up by Opensignal’s latest report. They measured typical 4G speeds of 20.9 Mbps on O2, the lowest of all networks, and typical 4G speeds of 27.9 Mbps on Talkmobile’s hosts.

We also tested both in real life and got speeds up to 95 Mbps on O2 and up to 110+ Mbps on Talkmobile. But in rural areas speeds went down to 5 Mbps on both networks, so we can see how it all averages out.

In all, Talkmobile tend to come out ahead for 4G data speeds but we wouldn’t say they blow O2 out of the water. It’s just that heavy data users will generally prefer Talkmobile over O2.

Useful link: O2’s guide to their 4G speeds and coverage

✔ 5G data speeds are also much faster on Talkmobile

There are no speed limits on any of O2 or Talkmobile’s plans and no differences in speed between Talkmobile and their hosts. So what do Opensignal and Speedtest by Ookla say about their 5G speeds?

They show typical 5G data speeds between 114.3 Mbps - 146.19 Mbps on Talkmobile’s hosts with peaks of 315.35 Mbps. On O2, typical 5G speeds sat between a sluggish 77.0 Mbps - 78.88 Mbps with peaks of 208.14 Mbps.

That’s a big difference when it comes to speeds and you’ll likely notice it if you’re doing something data intensive like mobile gaming or file sharing. For those types of things, Talkmobile are the better choice.

5G speeds on Talkmobile have been steadily increasing over time and they’re now the second fastest network, while O2 sit squarely in last place.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks

✔ O2 have better WiFi calling and more network features

You can run into indoor calling blackspots on both networks, so it’s handy that they both offer WiFi/4G calling. These features let you connect to calls over WiFi/4G signal where conventional call signal is poor.

Both support SMS texting over WiFi/4G. But between them, only O2 let you transfer from a WiFi call to a 4G call without it dropping. And O2 support more devices for WiFi calling, so it’s easier to get it working.

On top of that, O2 also offer access to 15,000+ free WiFi hotspots across the UK on all their plans. They even offer some hotspots on the Underground which is very handy. Talkmobile don’t offer anything like this.

In terms of extra features, both networks offer call forwarding. However, between them only O2 support visual voicemail and eSIMs. Bigger networks can offer more network features and that’s definitely the case here.

Useful link: The best networks for WiFi calling

✔ O2 offer better EU and worldwide roaming schemes

O2 are the only main network to keep their inclusive EU roaming in place. So you can still use any of O2’s SIM only plans in these 48 EU/EEA destinations at no added cost.

While there you can use up to 25GB of your data allowance. That’s a lot more than most users will get through on a short trip and even heavy data users won’t have to worry too much about hitting that limit.

And if you want to go further afield, you can get their Travel Inclusive Zone benefit that gives you a daily allowance of 120 mins, 120 texts and a bit of data (likely 150Mb) to use in these 27 non-EU destinations.

You can pay for this separately or get it included as an Extra on O2’s higher end plans. The mix of excellent EU roaming and good worldwide roaming makes O2 one of the best networks for going abroad in our eyes.

Useful link: O2’s guide to their Travel Inclusive Zone benefit

✔ Talkmobile’s EU roaming is good but less flexible

Talkmobile have brought back their inclusive EU roaming after having removed it for a while. So you can roam in these 41 EU/EEA countries at no extra cost on any of Talkmobile’s SIM only plans.

While roaming, you can use up to 5GB of your data allowance. Again, most people won’t use this much on a short trip. But if you’re going away for longer you might hit that limit and have to pay at these rates.

There is no inclusive roaming beyond the EU on Talkmobile. For this you’ll have to pay these hefty rates outside of your plan. That can add up quickly, so it’s best to limit how much you use your phone when there.

In all, Talkmobile’s roaming is pretty good for people who want to go on a short trip to the EU now and again. But if you need to go beyond the EU or need to stay in the EU longer, O2 will be the better option.

Useful link: Talkmobile’s EU roaming guide

✔ O2’s Priority app is an excellent reward for your loyalty

One of O2’s most popular benefits is their Priority rewards app. This gives you some special offers that can help make up for the higher cost of their plans.

The kinds of things you can get are discounts on high street food, drink, shopping and entertainment and even some genuine freebies. You’ll get new offers each month, so you’ll usually get something that suits you.

And you can even get presale tickets to music and sporting events hosted at O2 sponsored stadiums and venues (see what they offer here).

It’s a handy way of saving a bit of money here and there and those presale tickets can be a genuine game changer. If you think you’ll make good use of it, it’s a good reason to join O2.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer loyalty reward schemes

✔ O2 Multisave discount is fantastic for families

If you want to get your kids onto a SIM only plan, you’ll like that O2 give you extra rewards for adding extra SIMs onto your account. They call it “Multisave” and the benefits come in the form of discounts.

You get 20% off any SIM only plan or the usage plan (mins, texts, data) of any phone contract you add onto your account. You just need an existing O2 account and plan to then add new ones.

That makes O2’s higher costs a bit more bearable and comes at the added convenience of being able to manage all your plans in one place. This lets you keep on top of extra spending and set parental controls.

It’s a really great scheme that will appeal to parents. Talkmobile don’t have anything like it, so it’s something to bear in mind when choosing between the two networks.

Useful link: Our guide to the best family plan schemes

✔ Talkmobile offer more flexibility on their plans

Both Talkmobile and O2 offer 1-month contracts. But O2’s 1-month plans are almost unusably expensive and require you to pass a credit check to join. That’s not the case on Talkmobile’s plans.

How Talkmobile and O2’s 1-month plans compare on price

This is excellent if you’ve got a poor or no credit history, letting you join on flexible plans that you can switch up or down each month or leave altogether whenever you want with 30 days notice.

And on top of that, you can set a limit on extra spending in £1 increments on Talkmobile. This is great for avoiding accidental overspending, while O2’s minimum spending cap is £5 which is a lot less flexible.

In all, Talkmobile offer a great deal more flexibility at much lower costs than O2. That will make them a much better option for some, it just depends on what you want out of your plan.

Useful link: Our 1-month SIM only plan guide

✔ Only O2 let you take a phone deal directly between them

Between the two networks, only O2 let you join on a phone contract directly. On Talkmobile you have to join on a SIM only plan and wait until they let you upgrade to a phone contract.

O2 offer a good range of phones on credit agreements (basically loans) that split the cost of paying back your phone and your usage plan (mins, texts, data) into separate payments that make up your monthly bill.

This lets you upgrade to a new device whenever by paying off your loan. And O2 offer great flexibility in how you build your plan. You can set a contract length between 3 and 36 months and set an upfront cost.

You can get a Talkmobile phone deal directly via a reseller like Fonehouse and they tend to offer lower prices than O2, but with less flexible contracts. Use our phone comparison tool above to find the best deal.

Useful link: O2’s entire range of phone contracts