This is a list of notable mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United Kingdom, which lease wireless telephone and data spectrum from the major carriers EE, O2, Three and Vodafone for resale.
Active operators Brand Host network MVNE MVNO type Start date Notes 1pMobile EE Direct with MNO PAYG 2016 Asda Mobile Vodafone Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2007 BT Mobile EE Direct with MNO PAYM 2015 (original) 2026 (revival) Revived in 2026 for BT Broadband customers only. CMLink EE Transatel PAYM 2017By China Mobile. Intended primarily for the Chinese diaspora and Chinese international students.CTExcelEETransatelPAYG2012 as CTExcelbizBy China Telecom. Intended primarily for the Chinese diaspora and Chinese international students. Ecotalk EE Transatel PAYM 2018 giffgaff O2 Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2009 MVNO indirectly run by host network. Honest Mobile Three PAYM 2018 iD Mobile Three Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2015 Lebara Vodafone PAYM/PAYG 2007 Lyca Mobile EE Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2006 Sky Mobile O2 Direct with MNO PAYM 2016 SMARTY Three PAYM/PAYG 2017 MVNO run by host network. spusu EE Direct with MNO PAYM 2023 Uses their own PLMN (234-40), self-hosted SIP IMS and core network infrastructure. Superdrug Mobile Three Direct with MNO PAYG 2018 Talkmobile Vodafone MVNO run by host network PAYM 2007 Tesco Mobile O2 Direct with MNO PAYM/PAYG 2003 Your Co-op EE Transatel PAYM Previously trading as The Phone Co-op 1GLOBAL EE PAYG 2006Acquired Truphone Utility Warehouse EE PAYM 2000 VOXI Vodafone Direct with MNO PAYG 2017 MVNO run by host network, directly linked in with host's core systems.
Defunct, merged and acquired operators
Brand Host network Defunct date Notes Andrews & Arnold Three Ceased operations when their upstream partner "pulled the plug". Blyk Orange Ceased operations. Easymobile T-Mobile Ceased operations. Econet Mobile EE Ceased UK operations. Family Mobile EE Ceased operations. Formerly IKEA Family Mobile. FreedomPop Three ? Ceased UK operations. Fresh Mobile T-Mobile Ceased operations. Existing customers were encouraged to move to the sister network, Talkmobile. GT Mobile O2 Existing customers were consolidated in the sister brand, Lycamobile. Full name is Gnanam Telecom. KCOM Mobile O2 2019 Ceased operations. LIFE Mobile EE Acquired by Plusnet. Mobile by Sainsbury's Vodafone Ceased operations. Ovivo Mobile Vodafone Ceased operations.Plusnet MobileEECeased operations; stopped accepting new customers from March 2023. Post Office Mobile EE Ceased operations. RSPCA Mobile EE Ceased operations. Operated as a white-label under Shebang.TalkTalk MobileVodafoneCeased operations. The People's Operator (TPO Mobile) Three Entered administration. Customers were encouraged to move to SMARTY.Utilita MobileEEApproximately 2022 Virgin Mobile O2 Stopped accepting new customers August 2023. All customers moved to O2 by December 2023.
See also
Telecommunications in the United Kingdom
References