Unlimited Data Plans

If you’re looking for an unlimited data plan then there is no shortage of options, as most of the UK’s networks now offer this, but choosing the right network could still be tricky, and that’s where this guide comes in.

Below we’ve detailed exactly which networks offer unlimited data, along with the specific terms of their offerings.

We’ve also looked at exactly what ‘unlimited data’ really means, and answered all the common questions people have about these plans. So read on to find the right unlimited data plan for you, or if you’re not sure whether you even need unlimited data, we’ve got you covered there too – just head over to our how much data do I need guide for more on that.

What is unlimited data?

Unlimited data is just what it sounds – the ability to use an unlimited amount of mobile data. So rather than having a specific data limit (such as 10GB per month) and then having to wait for it to refresh if you use it up, there are no restrictions to the amount of data that you can use.

So you can freely use as much data as you want each month, without any fear of running out or running up extra charges.

There are sometimes fair use policies or other restrictions, but these are usually minimal, and we’ve detailed each network’s terms further down.

What is an unlimited data SIM?

An unlimited data SIM is a plan that comes with unlimited data. They work much like any other SIM, but allow you to use as much data on your device as you want without worrying about running out or getting a big bill.

Typically, these plans will also come with an allowance of minutes and texts (often also unlimited), unless it’s a plan for a mobile broadband device, in which case the SIM card might just come with data.

Unlimited data SIMs are available as SIM-only plans, which just include your SIM card and allowances, usually on a 30-day or 12-month plan, or you can get a Pay Monthly plan with a phone included as well, and these usually tie you in for 24 months.

Then there are unlimited data Pay As You Go SIMs, which give you unlimited data for a period of time (usually 30 days) but don’t tie you into a contract. You can also get unlimited data SIMs with mobile broadband devices, or a data-only SIM, which is like a SIM-only plan but doesn’t include minutes or texts.

Why choose an unlimited data plan?

An unlimited data plan is a great choice if you tend to use a lot of mobile data. This might be the case if for example you tether a lot, as devices like laptops and tablets can be more data-hungry than phones.

Unlimited data is also essential if you download lots of big apps or other files using mobile data. A single mobile game for example can use up well over 1GB to download in some cases.

Those who stream a lot of video, such as Netflix shows, while away from a Wi-Fi connection can also benefit from unlimited data, especially if you want to stream in high quality. Different services use differing data amounts, but if you’re a media fiend then you’re sure to eat through a huge quantity.

And unlimited data can also be a good choice for peace of mind, so you know you’ll never run short. It means you never need to even think about data or check how much you have left, and if there’s ever an unforeseen event like your Wi-Fi going down at home, you’ll be well equipped to keep your gadgets online through tethering.

How much is unlimited data?

Unlimited data costs a varying amount depending on the network you choose, whether you go SIM-only or get a smartphone on contract, and the length of your plan, among other factors.

Obviously, an unlimited data plan will usually cost more than a plan with a limited data allowance on the same network will though, so that makes these plans among the more expensive ones.

But they still don’t have to break the bank, with some networks charging as little as £20 per month for unlimited data.

Things that bring the price up include opting for a shorter-term plan, with a 30-day SIM-only plan typically costing more than a 12-month one for example. Getting a phone or tablet along with your unlimited data SIM will also substantially increase the price, as often will picking a plan with extras, like an entertainment service subscription.

So you’ve got to balance cost with flexibility and extras – if you don’t need extra perks and are happy to commit to a lengthy contract, then unlimited data doesn’t have to cost much at all.

And one thing that won’t generally add to the cost is 5G, as networks that offer this generally include it as standard.

Is unlimited data really unlimited?

Yes, in most cases unlimited data really means unlimited - at least in the UK, as many networks have roaming restrictions. 

Most networks do have a fair usage policy, but they are only in place to identify commercial or illegal usage. Therefore, those using the plans for personal usage don't need to worry about them.

However, you should note that some networks implement speed restrictions on unlimited plans. You can view any restrictions or significant fair usage policy for each network in the table below.

These were up to date to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, but it’s always worth checking with a network directly if in doubt. Also note that where there’s ‘none’ listed, it’s still likely that the network doesn’t allow commercial use.

Networks offering unlimited data

Three

Overview

Pros	Cons
Great value plans	Charges for roaming
5G included and no speed restrictions
Shorter contract lengths and PAYG plans available

Three offers truly unlimited data on SIM Only, Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go phone plans, as well as unlimited Mobile Broadband plans.

There are no speed restrictions on Three's unlimited data plans, and you can tether as much data as you like. All plans are also 5G ready at no extra cost, so you can enjoy superfast speeds when 5G comes to your area.

However, unless you’re on Pay As You Go or signed up for a plan or upgraded before October 1st, 2021, you’ll have to pay to roam on Three. Though it’s affordably priced, at £2 per day in Europe and £5 per day for a selection of locations outside Europe. You can also only use up to 12GB of data per month when roaming.

Beyond these roaming restrictions there is currently no fair usage policy for unlimited data on Three. The network used to mention a 1000GB monthly soft cap (which is still far more than most people would ever use), but reference to this has been removed.

• Related reading: Three Coverage and Network Review

EE

Overview

Pros	Cons
Great coverage and speeds	Premium prices
5G included and no speed restrictions	Lengthy contract durations
Data sharing and Smart Benefits

EE offers unlimited data plans on SIM Only and with Pay Monthly phones.

Currently they offer two unlimited data SIM plans, one of which is on a 24-month contract and one of which is on a 12-month plan. They come with 5G data, as well as unlimited minutes and texts.

If you go for a plan with a handset then you’re stuck at 24 months, but some unlimited data handset plans additionally come with Smart Benefits.

You can choose either 1 or 3 benefits (depending on the plan), and possible options include Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, BT Sport Ultimate, Netflix and a Roam Abroad Pass (which lets you roam for free outside Europe, and removes the £2 daily European roaming charge. Note that not all of these benefits are options on every plan – you may only be offered a subset of them.

Note also that EE used to offer Smart Benefits on unlimited data SIM Only plans too, and while it doesn’t at the time of writing, it may well do so again in future.

Those who have multiple plans on their account can also gift up to 100GB of data per month to another EE plan (or 120GB if you have a 5G Smart handset plan), which is good for those with children who run out of data.

There is a small premium to pay for choosing EE, but the network offers higher average speeds and has more widespread coverage than its rivals. There are some slight fair usage terms though, which you can see in the ‘unlimited data fair use policies’ chart elsewhere in this article.

• Related Reading: EE Coverage and Network Review

O2

Overview

Pros	Cons
5G included and no speed restrictions	Premium prices
Shorter contract lengths available

O2 was the last of the major networks to begin offering unlimited data, but unlimited data is now available on SIM Only and Pay Monthly handset plans, with 1-month, 12-month and 24-month options for SIM Only, and customisable contract lengths if you’re getting a handset.

There are no speed restrictions and all of O2's unlimited plans come with 5G data included.

Free data roaming in Europe has a 25GB limit per month, however some plans also let you roam further afield. Plans also include unlimited tethering, so you can share internet with other devices over a personal hotspot.

O2’s fair usage policy states that you shouldn’t use 650GB of data twice within a six-month period, or regularly tether 12 or more devices.

• Related reading: O2 Coverage and Network Review

Vodafone

Overview

Pros	Cons
5G plans available	Speed restrictions on plans other than Unlimited Max
Shorter contract lengths and PAYG plans available	Premium pricing for Unlimited Max plans
Option to add Entertainment Bundles

Vodafone also offers unlimited data SIM Only and phone plans including the option for unlimited 5G data.

A choice of 3 plan types are available, each of which offers different maximum download speeds.

Unlimited Lite plans offer max download speeds of 2Mbps (fast enough to browse and stream music), Unlimited plans offer speeds up to 10Mbps (fast enough to stream HD video), and Unlimited Max plans offer the maximum available speeds with no restrictions, and are the only ones able to benefit from 5G speeds.

Tethering is included and you can use up to 25GB of data per month when roaming in 51 European countries (though in most cases you’ll still have to pay a £1 or £2 daily fee to use your allowances abroad). On plans with ‘Xtra’ in the name though roaming is free, and unlimited plans with ‘4 Xtra benefits’ also let you roam for free in additional locations, for 83 in total.

There is also the option to add an Entertainment bundle to the 12 or 24-month Unlimited and Unlimited Max plans for an extra £7 per month, which gives you a choice of a subscription to Amazon Prime, Spotify Premium, or YouTube Premium for the duration of the contract. Entertainment packages are also available on Pay Monthly with a handset.

Vodafone now also has an unlimited Pay As You Go plan. It’s a 5G plan that comes with roaming in 51 European countries (with a 25GB monthly roaming limit), and you will also get VeryMe Rewards – which include things like free movie rentals and tasty treats.

• Related Reading: Vodafone Coverage and Network Review

Asda Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Flexible Pay As You Go plans	Speed restrictions on all plans
Uses Vodafone network
5G included

Asda Mobile launched unlimited data plans later than most, but they’re available now, alongside 5G speeds using Vodafone’s infrastructure.

At the time of writing the network sells three different unlimited data 30-day SIM Only plans, and while they all let you use 5G signals, only the one listed at ‘150Mbps’ will offer 5G speeds – the other two options are slower, and even the top option is presumably capped, since 5G is capable of higher speeds than 150Mbps.

Asda Mobile also allows tethering and free roaming in much of Europe (up to a 25GB limit), but there aren’t any handset plans – you can only go SIM Only or pay as you go.

• Related reading: Asda Mobile Review and Coverage

BT Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Great coverage and speeds	Only available to BT Halo customers
5G included and no speed restrictions
BT Wi-Fi hotspots included

BT Mobile, which shares a network with EE, is offering an unlimited data SIM plan, but only to BT Halo customers (previously called BT Plus).

The plan is available on a 12-month or 24-month contract and includes unlimited minutes and texts. It also includes free roaming in Europe (up to 50GB) and tethering. As part of the package you also get access to BT’s network of Wi-Fi hotspots. The plan also includes 5G.

• Related reading: BT Mobile Review and Coverage

Giffgaff

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses O2 network	Speed restrictions after 80GB usage on cheaper plan
5G comes as standard
Flexible Pay As You Go plans

Giffgaff, which use O2's network, offers an unlimited data goodybag (add-on) or a golden goodybag (add-on) which also has unlimited data included. They can both be purchased on SIM Only or with a mobile phone, and both include 5G, and lasts just 30 days.

There are some restrictions with the standard goodybag though (called ‘Always On’), with only the first 80GB of use per month being at full speeds. After that, speeds are capped at 384kbps between 8am and midnight, which is quite slow. You can tether, but the same speed restrictions apply.

The golden goodybag has no such speed restrictions, but it costs more and there is a fair usage policy stating that you should use under 650GB of data a month, and shouldn’t tether with 12 or more devices at once.

Free roaming meanwhile is fully capped at 20GB per month on both plans and the only way to use your data beyond Europe is to pay for the roaming data separately.

• Related reading: GiffGaff Review and Coverage

iD Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses Three network	Free roaming mostly limited to Europe
5G data included and no speed restrictions
Shorter contract lengths available

iD Mobile, which uses the Three network and is owned by Dixons Carphone, offers an unlimited data plan on a 1, 12 or 24-month SIM Only contract, or as part of a 24-month handset plan.

Roaming abroad in 50 European countries is included and you can also tether as much data as you like. When roaming there’s a fair usage policy which states that if you spend more time abroad in a 4-month period than in the UK you may be asked to prove you have strong ties to the UK.

There’s also a variable fair use limit on data, which depends on the cost of your plan. You can find it here.

Like Three's unlimited plans, iD Mobile's unlimited plans are 5G ready, so you will be able to enjoy 5G speeds. At the current time iD Mobile does not specify a fair usage policy with regards to data usage in the UK.

• Related reading: iD Mobile Review and Coverage

Lebara Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses Vodafone network and now has 5G	A little more expensive than you might expect
International calling to 42 countries included
Short contract durations

Lebara (which runs off Vodafone’s infrastructure) offers 30-day SIM plans that come with unlimited 5G data, minutes, and texts.

The network additionally lets you roam for free across the EU and India, and use your data to tether, but the big selling point is you also get either 100 or unlimited minutes of international calling to 42 countries, including Australia, United States, Canada, India, New Zealand, China and many more locations.

There aren’t any fair usage restrictions in the UK, but when roaming you’re limited to 30GB of data in Europe, and 10GB in India.

• Related reading: Lebara Mobile Review and Coverage

Lyca Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses O2 Network	Limited to EU Roaming
International calling included
Pay As You Go plans

Lyca Mobile, which uses O2's network, has launched unlimited data plans, and these also give you unlimited minutes and texts.

One of these plans gives you unlimited data at 5G speeds plus 100 international minutes to dozens of locations, while one does the same but with unlimited international minutes. You can tether on Lyca Mobile too, and you can roam within the EU at no extra cost – though there’s a 12GB or 14GB cap (depending on plan) when doing that.

• Related reading: Lycamobile Review and Coverage

Smarty

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses Three network	Only offers SIM Only plans
Great value 1-month plan
No speed restrictions

Smarty, which uses Three's network, offers a great value unlimited data SIM plan which comes with no speed or tethering restrictions. 

Smarty's unlimited plan is a 1-month rolling plan that comes with 5G included.

Currently, Smarty only offers SIM only plans, so no unlimited Pay Monthly phones or Mobile Broadband plans are available.

Data roaming is limited to 12GB per month, and you can only roam for free across the EU, which is another key difference with Three's plans, as these include roaming in a number of places further afield too – although it comes at a small cost.

• Related Reading: Smarty Mobile Review and Coverage

Tesco Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses O2 network	Long contract durations
5G plans available with no speed restrictions	Prices not significantly lower than O2

Tesco Mobile, which uses O2's network, offers unlimited data on both SIM Only and Pay Monthly, and it supports 5G.

The plans are available in 12 or 24-month varieties on SIM Only, or variable lengths with a handset. You can also roam for free in Europe and tether.

There’s no fair usage limit in the UK, and there isn’t really when roaming either – except that you should be using your phone more in the UK than abroad.

• Related reading: Tesco Mobile Review and Coverage

Virgin Mobile

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses Vodafone network	No short-term plans
5G included and no speed restrictions

Virgin Mobile, which uses Vodafone's network, also offers unlimited data, and while this used to only be available to customers of other Virgin products, it’s now available to everyone at the time of writing.

It’s also truly unlimited, includes 5G and comes in at a competitive price, whether you opt for a 12 or 24-month plan.

You also get unlimited data for tethering – or at least, according to a customer service agent we spoke to you do, however at the time of writing there is no confirmation of this on Virgin Mobile’s website.

However, unlimited data is not available on mobile broadband plans. There are also restrictions when roaming. This cap changes though, so for an up-to-date figure, use Virgin Mobile’s fair use calculator.

• Related reading: Virgin Mobile Review and Coverage

VOXI

Overview

Pros	Cons
Uses Vodafone network	Only slightly more affordable than Vodafone
5G included and no speed restrictions
Short contract duration

VOXI, which is a network run and owned by Vodafone, is now offering a 5G 30-day unlimited data plan that’s been branded Endless Data.

Importantly, VOXI's unlimited data plan comes with 5G as standard and has no speed restrictions. Tethering is also included so you can share data over a personal hotspot, and you also get cheap – but not free - roaming in Europe (up to 20GB per month).

Overall, VOXI's unlimited data plan is a more affordable alternative to the equivalent plan on Vodafone, though Vodafone gives you more options in terms of duration and speed.

• Related reading: VOXI Network and Coverage Review

Best unlimited Pay As You Go SIM plans

Pay As You Go plans with unlimited data are currently available on Asda Mobile, iD Mobile, GiffGaff, Three and Vodafone. They offer even more flexibility and don't require a credit check, but you will have to pay a little more than a pay monthly plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which networks offer unlimited 5G data plans?

There are currently 14 networks offering unlimited data plans with 5G, which are EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, Asda Mobile, BT Mobile, Giffgaff, iD Mobile, Lebara Mobile, Lyca Mobile, Smarty, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile and VOXI. Compare 5G SIM only plans.

Which networks don't currently offer unlimited data?

FreedomPop, Plusnet Mobile, Sky Mobile and Talkmobile don't currently offer unlimited data. However, some do have high maximum data limits.

Can I use unlimited data abroad?

In most cases there will be a fair use policy when using data abroad, which limits how much you can use, though the exact limits vary from network to network. However, Tesco Mobile doesn’t appear to list a specific roaming limit at the time of writing. That said, if you’re hoping to use a lot of data abroad with Tesco then we’d recommend checking with the network directly that this is allowed.

Can I tether with an unlimited data plan?

Yes, in most cases you can tether with no limits (other than a network’s general fair use limits) with an unlimited data plan. Check the network details and fair use policies chart above for the specific terms of each network.