Mobile networks on EE: best piggybacking providers in 2024
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We rank the smaller mobile providers that use EE's network as MVNOs to find which offer the closest coverage/speeds to EE directly. Last updated: 23rd April 2024.
Alternatives to EE on their network
Get the benefits of EE's network without the high prices
✔ Use EE’s network with a different providerSkip to the networks
All-in-all, we'd still say that EE is the leading network when it comes to having a great mix of coverage for 5G/4G data and calls/texts (here's our full review of joining them directly).
But if you're on this page, you've probably been put off by EE's high prices, no more EU roaming, or even the fact they've just introduced annoying speed caps across their range of SIM only plans.
In this guide, we talk you through the best alternatives to EE, with providers that use their network but have cheaper deals and all or most of the same connectivity.
They're not all the same, so you'll need to decide what's important to you. Get started below.
Skip to: Networks on EE | Compare SIM only plans
Who uses EE?
1pMobile offer the closest experience to being on EE directly
What we like:
What we don't like:
You might not get the zinging low prices on 1pMobile that you get with EE alternatives further down this page but 1p's plans are decent value. And they offer the closest network experience to EE direct.
We've only ever found 1p's coverage to be identical to EE's. They have access to all 2G/3G/4G/5G bands and frequencies, including band 20. Check their map yourself here.
For our full network review of 1pMobile, we tested their speeds and could find no differences vs EE in the same areas. You also get additional features like WiFi calling and VoLTE on 1p. They don’t offer eSIM though.
If you’re looking for a data plan under 25GB or even cheap basic pay as you go, 1pMobile are very competitive.
1p’s branding is all a bit rough and ready but we’ve tested their phone customer service and basically got straight through. We also like that you get EU roaming with each plan too. All in all, our favourite option on EE.
Useful link: Our full network review of 1pMobile
spusu: people have been reporting issues with SMS texts
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What we don't like:
On the face of it, there's a lot to like about spusu, a new provider in the UK with Austrian owners. Our own tests find identical coverage to EE directly (check for yourself here), including the band 20 4G missing on others.
Speed-wise, our tests found no reason not to believe spusu’s claims of no speed caps (we got 120 Mbps over decent 4G). We also tested spusu’s new WiFi calling feature. It worked but did drop calls moving over to 4G.
We joined almost instantly on their eSIM too, which was impressive. spusu’s plans steer clear of small-data, cheap and cheerful deals. But there’s usually a medium-large plan on offer (see dropdown above).
And we like spusu's benefits too. Every plan comes with EU roaming. You even get some calls from the UK to EU countries. Spending caps are very thorough. And we got through to their UK phone customer service in seconds.
But there is a flaw with spusu. People are reporting that SMS messages from things like their bank are not being received by their SIM. We believe it's to do with their network being routed via Europe.
That's quite a severe issue if you need that facility. So joining spusu does come with a large red flag.
Useful link: See spusu’s full range of SIM only plans
Lyca Mobile: an excellent budget alternative to EE
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What we don't like:
Lyca Mobile are a good choice if you want a very cheap deal and you don’t live somewhere where their network differences with EE are a problem (check your predicted coverage here)
There are no speed limits on Lyca, giving you access to the fastest possible 5G/4G/3G/2G speeds. And we really like the fact that they have a handy and simple eSIM scheme. But 4G data signal isn’t identical to EE’s:
Lyca don’t have access to the band 20 frequencies of EE’s network that provide 4G in rural areas and boost urban capacity. So 4G is worse in some areas than on EE, which is worrying as 3G is being switched off.
You also don’t get extra features like WiFi calling or 4G calling on Lyca. So the overall experience is worse than joining 1pMobile or EE directly. But their great value deals might just convince you to join them.
Useful link: Read our full Lyca Mobile review
Talk Home Mobile: another good low budget choice with 5G
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What we don't like:
Another option as an alternative to EE is Talk Home, who we joined and reviewed here. They get access to EE's 5G/4G/3G/2G with no speed caps but as with Lyca above, there are some 4G data coverage differences.
But again, for most people, this won't be an issue and you can enjoy some seriously cheap, 1-month deals with EU roaming and cheap international calls on Talk Home:
Talk Home are also a good choice if you want to join on Pay As You Go, as they offer very cheap rates of 1p per min, text and data. And for a budget network they offer an excellent customer service experience.
The only thing we really don’t like is that they don’t have WiFi/4G calling, making indoor blackspots more of an issue. Still, Talk Home are a brilliant choice if you’re looking for a low-cost, low-frills network.
Useful link: Why should you join Talk Home Mobile?
IQ Mobile: signal is the same as EE but thin on benefits
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What we don't like:
In some ways, IQ Mobile are actually better than Lyca and Talk Home. They're not missing the band 20 4G transmitters, coverage is identical to being on EE.
When we took out an IQ Mobile SIM card and popped it into our phone it even said we were connected to ‘EE’. They even now have WiFi calling and VoLTE. (We've not tested it yet though).
Our main issue is that IQ's plan pricing and flexibility can't compete with any of the providers above. They're more expensive, make you commit to 3 months up front and pay for delivery of your SIM card:
You'll pay for 3 months up front, which will work out to the monthly amounts you see here:
We also found the customer experience poor on IQ. Once you buy your SIM, there's basically no My Account section to log in to, no app, no help section. It feels like you're on your own.
Overall, we can't see what you get on IQ Mobile that you can't get elsewhere on better terms.
Useful link: See IQ Mobile plans
Co-op Mobile: higher in price with no outstanding benefits
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What we don't like:
Co-op Mobile are another provider on EE, where we can't really see the benefit of joining them. You now get 5G data with them, and network extras like WiFi calling.
There's nothing bad per se but you can get a like-for-like or better experience to Co-Op Mobile with some of the providers above for a lower cost. Other than their climate credentials, it's hard to see Co-Op's appeal.
That all said, all their plans are on flexible 1-month deals, Co-Op members get a 10% discount and there's inclusive EU roaming too. Many will still decide it's worth investing in an ethical mobile brand.
Useful link: See Co-op Mobile's website
To The Moon Mobile: quite a strange proposition
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To The Moon Mobile are a provider you’ve most likely never heard of, and their proposition is a bit strange. At least they offer full access to EE’s 5G/4G/3G/2G network on all their plans.
The network seems mainly aimed at getting you to join their financial products, which are things like pre-paid debit cards and less about getting an actual mobile plan.
But they do have a range of pre-paid deals. In fact, they have a massive range (something like 80 different plans) for every 1GB increment of data you could imagine.
They’re not a terrible provider to join if there’s a plan that appeals to you. But usually you can find a better value on other providers that offer more features.
Useful link: See To The Moon's website
These networks either no longer use EE or have shut down
✖ No access to EE on these networks
You might know that both BT Mobile and Plusnet Mobile used to use the EE network. Out of them, BT Mobile was essentially identical to being on EE direct. But both companies have now closed to new customers.
A few providers have previously used EE’s network but have now moved to another one. ASDA Mobile moved to Vodafone’s network a while ago. While Virgin moved to Vodafone, then O2, and have now closed to new customers.
This isn't a reflection of EE being a poor network to use signal for but more to do with the commercial relationships between companies (Virgin Media and O2 merged for example).
Finally, some providers used to use EE but have now gone out of business. For example, The People’s Operator were an ethical network in the 2010s but have long since folded.
SIM only plans on EE-based networks
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