VOL. I — UK MOBILE NETWORKS2026 EDITION
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VERIFIED
INDEPENDENT
2026

A Field Report on UK Mobile Networks

The honest record
of UK mobile, kept current.

Compiled from Ofcom, Opensignal, umlaut, and RootMetrics. Five networks, examined without bias, without pricing, and without a sales pitch.

HALYARD IS AN INDEPENDENT INFORMATION SERVICE — NOT AFFILIATED WITH THREE, O2, EE, TESCO MOBILE, OR VODAFONE.
Open the Comparison → 0330 059 7074
920
EE umlaut 2026
163
Three Go Roam
95%
O2 UK Landmass
5×
Tesco Best Service
Five Case Files

Every network,
opened for inspection.

Facts and independent award data — no pricing, no sales, no affiliation.

FILE 01

Three Mobile

27M customers · Go Roam 163 countries · speed-capped new plans April 2026

UMLAUT 2026799/1,000
GO ROAM163 CTRYS
5G CAP100 MBPS
Open File →
FILE 02

O2

Free EU roaming all plans · Satellite Feb 2026 · 95% UK landmass

COVERAGE9.0/10
EU ROAM49 FREE
SATELLITEFEB 2026
Open File →
FILE 03

EE

UK's #1 — 11th consecutive umlaut win · 920/1,000 all-time record

UMLAUT 2026920/1,000★
ROOTMETRICS93.2/100
5G+ SA50M+ PPL
Open File →
FILE 04

Tesco Mobile

5× Uswitch Best Customer Service · Clubcard frozen prices

CUSTOMERS5.7M
AWARDS5× BEST
ROAMING48 DESTS
Open File →
FILE 05

Vodafone

UK 2nd — umlaut 808/1,000 · VodafoneThree merger May 2025

UMLAUT 2026808/1,000
ROOTMETRICS85.8/100
MVNOSVOXI+2
Open File →
The Brief

What this report
covers, article by article.

Sourced from Opensignal, umlaut, RootMetrics, and Ofcom.

ARTICLE I

5G Coverage

EE umlaut 920/1,000 (11th win). O2 Satellite extends to 95% UK landmass. Three 187 Mbps peak but new plans capped 100 Mbps from April 2026.

ARTICLE II

EU Roaming

O2 free on all plans (49 countries). Three Go Roam 163 countries. EE free Essentials Plus+. Tesco 48 destinations free.

ARTICLE III

SIM Only Plans

30-day rolling vs 12-month. PAC code switching. eSIM activation. How to save at Pay Monthly contract end.

ARTICLE IV

Pay Monthly

How handset contracts work. O2 Refresh, EE Full Works, Tesco Clubcard. What to do at contract end.

ARTICLE V

Switching

PAC to 65075 — free, within 60 seconds. Number transfers in one working day. Cannot be refused under Ofcom.

ARTICLE VI

Consumer Rights

Ofcom Jan 2025: rises in exact £/p at sign-up. 30-day exit if undisclosed. Complaint escalation after 6 weeks.

Quick Reference

Networks, at a glance.

Key facts only — no pricing. Visit official sites for current plan costs.

NetworkType5GEU RoamingBest For2026 Key Fact
Three MobileMNO5G — 100 Mbps cap new plans163 COUNTRIESUnlimited; widest roaming27M customers; VodafoneThree
O2MNO5G / 5G+ SA / Satellite49 FREECoverage + Priority rewardsEurope's first satellite Feb 2026
EEMNO5G+ Standalone uncappedPLUS TIER+UK's #1 — 11 years920/1,000 umlaut all-time record
Tesco MobileMVNO5G via O248 FREEBest service + Clubcard5th Uswitch Best Service 2026
VodafoneMNO5G (VodafoneThree)BY TIERBusiness + global roaming808/1,000 umlaut — UK 2nd
Full Comparison →
Frequently Asked

Questions on the record.

Plain-English answers on UK mobile networks and your Ofcom consumer rights.

Which UK network has the best 5G in 2026?
+
EE leads all major independent tests — umlaut Best in Test 2026 (920/1,000, 11th consecutive year), RootMetrics H1 2025 (93.2/100), Opensignal January 2026 (53.2 Mbps average download, 11 of 15 awards). Three has the fastest 5G peak at 187 Mbps but new Pay Monthly plans are capped at 100 Mbps from April 2026. O2 launched Europe's first satellite-to-phone service, extending UK landmass coverage to 95%.
How do I switch UK network and keep my number?
+
Text PAC to 65075. You receive a free 9-character code within minutes. Give it to your new network at sign-up. Your number transfers within one working day and your old contract auto-cancels. Free, legally guaranteed — cannot be refused or delayed. Text STAC to 75075 to leave without keeping your number. Text INFO to 85075 to check your contract end date and exit fee.
Does Three have a speed cap on new plans?
+
Yes — from 19 April 2026. New Three Pay Monthly plans are capped at 100 Mbps. New PAYG plans are capped at 25 Mbps (50 Mbps with Auto-Renew Data Pack). A paid Full Speed Add-on removes the Pay Monthly cap. Existing in-term customers are NOT affected.
Is EU roaming free on UK plans in 2026?
+
O2 is the only major UK MNO keeping EU roaming free on all standard plans — 49 destinations, 25GB fair-use cap. Three Go Roam covers 163 countries on qualifying Complete plans. EE includes EU free on Essentials Plus and above. Tesco Mobile Home From Home: 48 destinations free.
What is the O2 Satellite service?
+
O2 launched Europe's first satellite-to-phone data service on 26 February 2026 via SpaceX Starlink Direct to Cell. Extends UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95%. Samsung Galaxy S25 at launch; iPhone 13+ added 28 May 2026. Supports messaging and data apps only — NOT voice or emergency calls.
What are my rights if my network raises prices?
+
Under Ofcom's January 2025 rule, any annual rise must be stated in exact pounds and pence at sign-up. If not disclosed, you have a 30-day penalty-free exit. Tesco Mobile Clubcard Price plans are frozen — no annual rises. From 8 April 2026, complaints can be escalated to the Ombudsman after 6 weeks.
All 10 Entries →

Independent. Unaffiliated. On the record.

Halyard (halyard.online) is an independent information and guidance website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Three Mobile, VodafoneThree, O2, Virgin Media O2, EE, BT Group, Tesco Mobile, Tesco PLC, Vodafone Group, Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, SMARTY, iD Mobile, Lebara, VOXI, or any other UK mobile network operator or MVNO. Brand names and colours are referenced solely for educational identification. We do not sell mobile plans, display pricing, earn commission, or accept advertising from operators. All content is for general guidance only — always verify current details at the official network website before making any decision.

Official network websites: three.co.uk · o2.co.uk · ee.co.uk · tescomobile.com · vodafone.co.uk

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