iD Mobile review 2025: our expert view on the network

Coverage has noticeably improved, particularly 4G

iD Mobile are owned by Currys but use the Three network for signal. They use Three’s masts and “core network”, which handles things like how data and calls are routed behind the scenes.

As a result, coverage is identical between iD and Three. We’ve tested multiple iD SIMs side-by-side with Three ones over the years. We’ve never found inbuilt differences or “prioritisation” of Three SIMs over iD for signal.

iD’s best current SIM only deals

In the past, we did notice obvious gaps in iD’s coverage, mainly in rural areas. But our most recent tests have found this has improved a lot. It’s now much rarer you'll end up with no 4G or a single bar of unusable 4G.

iD are benefitting massively from Three’s fast 5G coverage rollout too. It’s now at 53% of the places where people live. Joining iD will mean you will also benefit when Three and Vodafone combine their networks.

For calls and texts, your phone will need to have 4G calling (VoLTE) as a feature to work at all. Older 3G has been almost entirely switched off. If you have an ancient or a basic phone, iD won’t be for you.

Useful link: Check iD Mobile's network map in your area

Data speeds can be truly impressive, especially 5G

We’ve always found data speeds on iD Mobile to be consistent and reliable. On 4G, in residential areas, we find you’ll bump along around 30 Mbps, comfortably enough for things like ultra high definition video streaming.

In villages, you’re more likely looking at an ok 5 - 15 Mbps over 4G. While in city centres, it’s upwards from 50 Mbps to 80 Mbps. On average, independent network testers Opensignal predicts 4G downloads at 38 Mbps.

That’s very healthy and the joint second fastest in the UK. And it gets better on 5G. iD benefit from using the UK’s fastest 5G network. Speedwise, we’ve anything from no advantage over 4G to speeds in the mid 300 Mbps.

iD’s best current SIM only deals

Opensignal and Speedtest put typical 5G via the Three network between 208.9 Mbps - 276.17 Mbps and peaks up to 681.24 Mbps. That’s home fibre fast. It’s truly impressive you can get that on a cheap network like iD.

Useful link: What iD say about their 5G

WiFi calling and 4G calling work like a charm

iD are one of the best networks for WiFi calling in our experience. The technology kicks in nice and early, letting you make/take calls and send/receive SMS messages over WiFi. It doesn’t wait until you’re out of signal.

We also successfully managed to walk away from WiFi and the call switched over to a 4G (VoLTE) call instead, without dropping. This works the opposite way too. So all nice and reliable.

Get an iD SIM with WiFi calling

The call quality is very good too. It’s an HD call on 4G calling or WiFi calling. And calls connect nice and fast. There’s no discernible delay in getting through vs a conventional phone call.

iD have published a list of supported WiFi calling devices here. But we don’t think this is exhaustive. We’ve found even phones not listed there still worked. It’s a great network feature that goes beyond iD’s cheap prices.

Useful link: Read what difference 4G calling makes

eSIMs are the slickest of iD’s extra features

You can now join iD on an eSIM. We tested it out and were impressed at how quickly it connected once it came through. Though it did take some time to arrive by email because of iD’s credit checking process.

Join iD Mobile on an eSIM

And you get call forwarding on every iD plan. This lets you divert incoming calls to another number if you want to keep one line free. And you can tether your data signal to other devices without limits in the UK.

iD Mobile don’t give you access to any free WiFi hotspots like budget rivals SMARTY (who also use Three) do. These are usually handy for saving data and staying connected in places without signal.

And they also don’t support visual voicemail. So extra network features are a bit of a mixed bag on iD, but you get a decent amount considering they’re a budget network.

Useful link: See costs for going over your data limit on iD

EU roaming is arguably the best of all networks

While many UK networks have got rid of inclusive EU roaming, iD have kept theirs and have actually made it a lot better. You can use your regular minutes, texts and data in the EU and these extra non-EU countries too.

What’s good is how generous their fair usage policy is. You can use all your regular minutes and texts for UK numbers and local numbers in the country you are. And your normal data allowance up to 30GB.

All iD plans with EU roaming

That’s bigger than every other mobile network, apart from Tesco who are scrapping free roaming from 2026. We’ve taken our iD SIM to Greece and had no problems connecting instantly.

iD even say now that you will get 5G roaming in countries where they’ve partnered with networks that support the newer technology. Overall, if you’re sticking to Europe, it’s hard to fault iD.

Useful link: Roaming costs outside the EU on iD

Data rollover is a nice little side benefit

Data rollover is a feature that lets you keep the data you didn’t use up in one month, to use in your next month. Only a handful of providers offer it nowadays, so we like that iD include it on all their deals.

You don’t have to do anything to get it to work, it does everything automatically. But their useful app makes it easy to see how much rolled over data you have left and manage anything else you need to.

Our genuine user experience of iD's data rollover

We had a bit of leftover data on our test iD Mobile SIM at the end of the month. This data got rolled over seamlessly to our next month:

It feels great to be able to use up the leftover data you already paid for before beginning your new allowance. That’s especially the case on smaller plans where every MB counts for more.

Their app shows you how much data you’ve used as well as checking your regular and rolled-over data allowances separately:

Just keep in mind that if you switch plans you will lose your rolled over data from the previous month. To get the most out of it, be sure to use up all your leftover data before switching your plan.

It’s rare that you’ll use the same amount of data every month. So this scheme is excellent if you need a bit more data for one month and have some rolled over, rather than having to pay a lot for extra data.

Other than that, iD reward you for referring friends to them by giving you both cashback after they join iD. It’s a nice reward for your loyalty and there’s no limit to the amount of friends you can refer.

Useful link: Get the full story on iD's Data Rollover

Their overspending caps have always been among the best

iD Mobile stand out as having some of the most flexible overspending limits around. You can set it in flexible £1 increments between £0 - £25 and change it when needed, but you can’t set it higher than £25.

And iD offer lots of 1-month plans that let you switch up or down each month. They’re more flexible than their longer contracts, but are a bit higher in cost. Check their prices here to find the best deal for you.

iD also won’t increase the monthly cost of your plan on their SIM only contracts. So you can keep enjoying their low costs without worrying about your bill going up (they will increase costs on their phone deals).

But you are missing out on things like unlimited social media and streaming data that VOXI offer and SMARTY’s 10% family plan discount. Still, iD offer a lot of benefits for a small budget network.

Useful link: How to change your plan mid-contract with iD

✔ iD’s phone deals are low in cost but not very flexible

Unlike most other networks, iD don’t offer any phone contracts over finance. Instead they offer all their phones on traditional 24-month contracts, making them a bit less flexible than finance based contracts.

Rather than iD loaning you a phone, the payment for your phone is on the same bill as your usage plan (mins, texts, data). It may be easier to pass a credit check for these, but we’re not sure of iD’s exact policy.

iD do have some great value deals on a large range of low-cost phones and mid-range Samsung and Apple phones. But your bill will go up every year during your contract, which takes away from the initial value.

Other than that, you’ll still get same benefits on their phone deals as you would on their SIM only plans, like data rollover, inclusive EU roaming and flexible spending caps.

Useful link: Browse iD Mobile's phone range