Why is Talkmobile so cheap? How the network cuts costs

They were built to offer low-cost plans from the start

Talkmobile were originally launched by Carphone Warehouse as a low-cost virtual provider on Vodafone’s network, before being bought out by Vodafone themselves. So they were set up as a budget option from the start.

For years, Vodafone used Talkmobile as a fallback option for customers who failed a credit check. You’d get a basic SIM-only plan first, then eventually qualify for a phone deal. And they still operate this way now.

But now Talkmobile have shifted focus. They’re mainly aimed at people using comparison sites to find cheaper SIM only plans. Vodafone use them to attract customers while maintaining Vodafone as a more-profitable premium brand.

Talkmobile’s current best SIMs

But people’s first worry will inevitably be: if Talkmobile are so cheap, what are you giving up compared to joining Vodafone directly? That’s exactly what we cover throughout this guide. So read on!

Useful link: Read our full Talkmobile vs Vodafone guide

Your network experience won’t be any worse on Talkmobile

Let’s start with one of the biggest concerns people have when they see Talkmobile’s low prices: do you actually get worse coverage or speeds? After testing them both side by side we can confidently say that’s not the case.

Coverage was identical everywhere we tried, we got the same number of bars, same 5G access, and no difference in signal reliability. Speeds also matched Vodafone's, so the core network experience is identical.

Best current 5G SIM only plans on Talkmobile

There are a few smaller differences worth noting. Talkmobile’s WiFi calling is more limited in terms of the number of supported phones and doesn’t work quite as seamlessly as Vodafone’s yet.

Talkmobile also miss out on less used advanced extras like call forwarding or visual voicemail. But for everyday use calls, texts and data Talkmobile give you the same experience as Vodafone, just at a lower price.

Useful link: Use Talkmobile’s network map to check near you

You still get EU roaming and over-the-phone service

Low-cost networks often cut corners by removing things like phone support or free roaming. iD Mobile, SMARTY and giffgaff, for example, only offer online customer service. Talkmobile are the happy exception to this.

You can still call Talkmobile’s customer support team. While the agents are noticeably based abroad (which helps keep their costs low), we found them efficient and helpful when we tested them for our full review.

And you get free EU roaming included on every plan, something most premium networks (like Vodafone) now charge extra for. There is a data cap of 5GB per month when you’re abroad, which keeps Talkmobile’s own costs down.

Best EU roaming SIM only deals on Talkmobile

But this still beats what you get from Vodafone. It’s odd that Talkmobile offer more than Vodafone in some areas despite being the cheaper option. That’s why they continue to punch above their weight for value.

Useful link: Our best rated networks for roaming

So what do Talkmobile do worse to keep costs down?

Talkmobile don’t have physical stores. That’s a huge expense that Vodafone pay for, so this is one way Talkmobile keep costs low. You won’t find them in shops, and Vodafone staff won’t help with Talkmobile queries.

Their team is also smaller, which means fewer new features. It usually takes a while for new network features like eSIM to show up on Talkmobile. But once it’s there, it generally works just as well.

Branding is another area where they save. Big networks spend heavily on advertising and flashy campaigns. Talkmobile don’t. That helps them avoid passing the cost onto you.

Even your SIM pack and online account area are no-frills. If you prefer things to feel premium, Talkmobile might come across as a bit barebones. But none of that affects how well your phone actually works.

And that’s the point. You get calls, texts and data that work reliably for far cheaper than a main network would charge you. We think most people will care more about that, making Talkmobile a very appealing option.

Useful link: See our hidden Talkmobile offers page