In the modern world we keep in touch with our loved ones and close friends via mobile phones. Being so handy we carry it everywhere to remain in connection all the time. It has evolved from something considered a luxury to something that is now become a necessity. Choosing between a tablet and a smartphone is just the beginning of the process.

In addition to this you need to select an ideal mobile network that provides you with good services to make the most of it and get the most out of it.

According to StatCounter the month of June 2020 marked a significant milestone. It was the first time that more people accessed the internet using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Earlier people were using a traditional computer such as a desktop or laptop.

StatCounter recorded 51.2 percent of mobile users as opposed to 48.7 percent of desktop users. That number has grown to 54.73% on mobile in July 2021 making it all the more important that you select the best mobile network for your needs. Having a good mobile network that has a signal that is consistent and reliable is more important than it has ever been.

But selecting a mobile network or service provider isn't as easy as selecting the company that has the most attractive deals and bonuses to offer. If you are aware of your requirements you will be in a better position to choose the mobile network that meets your specific requirements. You can consider different aspects such as the cost length of the contract data allowance and coverage. In this article we compare two of the most prominent service providers in the UK so that you can pick better options for you.

But before we start our comparison let’s first understand the basics of mobile networks so that you can choose the best one for you.

What exactly constitutes a mobile network?

It is an infrastructure that enables your phone iPad and other mobile devices such as tablets to connect to the internet. Mobile networks are also used to connect with other wireless networks. The network is made up of a large number of cellular receivers (mobile phone towers) and base stations that are all connected.

Mobile traffic is directed by base stations which function similarly to airports' air traffic control in this regard. Users can receive coverage thanks to the collaborative efforts of base stations and towers. Every service provider utilizes the same network; however to reduce the amount of interference they experience they each use unique frequencies.

Why is it so important to have mobile phone coverage?

Losing mobile phone coverage can have a significant effect on us. It is because so much of our professional and personal lives are centered on communication.

Not having a strong and reliable signal can make even the most basic activities difficult to accomplish. For example activities like checking emails sending and receiving texts or even making phone calls can become difficult.

Although some users may be able to rely on a Wi-Fi connection as a backup this is not the ideal situation because many services will continue to be inaccessible.

The loss of contact can have negative effects on both home and work life. It's possible that important messages could be lost between friends and family if they don't send or return missed calls or texts. And on top of that you run the risk of losing customers to discontent and dissatisfaction. That is why today in this age of constant connectivity dissatisfaction of customers can be disastrous for your business.

Without any further ado let’s jump straight to the comparison between the two mobile network providers in the UK.

Lycamobile is one of the largest international mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). It operates in many countries across the globe. Within the United Kingdom Lyca Mobile UK uses the O2 network to provide service to its customers.

Lycatel which is also a part of Lyca Group caters to its expanding customer base within the expatriate and global communities. These customers desire to make high-quality low-cost international phone calls.

Lyca Mobile is an option that is comparable to Lebara Mobile. It provides standard inclusion of international minutes with most of its service plans.

On the other hand there is a wider variety of plans one can choose from and not all of them include international calls to the same locations. Some only include one or two countries such as India which is convenient if you only really want to call those places whereas others give you minutes that you can use in 41 different countries and destinations.

However there is a great deal of duplication with other networks which means that the majority of the important locations are covered. You can also get unlimited domestic and international minutes with certain plans just like with Lebara.

They also provide SIM-only plans phone plans and data add-ons. The latest SIM-only cellphone plans from Lyca Mobile include:

1. National Plus - £10 for 30 days for new SIM subscribers. 15GB of data unlimited UK minutes and texts 100 foreign minutes and EU roaming are all included.
2. UK Plan Super Extra - £15 for 30 days for new SIM subscribers. 30GB of data unlimited UK minutes and texts 100 foreign minutes and EU roaming are all included.
3. UK Plan Mega Plus - £20 for 30 days for new SIM subscribers. Includes 100GB of data unlimited UK calls and texts 100 international calls and texts and EU roaming.

Lebara is a multinational telecommunications network provider that offers its services in a wide variety of countries all over the world. Labara is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United Kingdom. It does so by utilizing the network that is owned and operated by Vodafone UK.

Since it has been operating for some time in the UK the virtual network known as Lebara Mobile has garnered a lot of attention. In the past it has been well-known for providing a low-cost international call service; however in the most recent years it has begun to expand its domestic offering by becoming a low-cost Sim-only provider.

Lebara Mobile specializes in providing pay-as-you-go mobile SIM cards to cater to the requirements of communities located in other countries.

Because Lebara Mobile was designed from the start with the ability to make international calls in mind. all SIM-only plans include international calling as a standard feature.

You can purchase the minutes also for 42 different locations and in many instances you will be given an unlimited number of minutes which is extremely uncommon for international calls. On the other hand you can choose from a variety of plans in accordance with the number of minutes you require and the amount of money you are willing to spend.

Lebara also specializes in SIM-only deals with 30-day or 12-month contracts. But Lebara has not reinstated EU data roaming costs.

Their most affordable SIM-only plan is a 12-month plan priced at £4.50 per month for 3GB of data 1000 UK minutes and texts and 100 foreign minutes.

They also offer a 30-day unlimited data SIM-only plan for £25 which includes unlimited UK minutes and texts as well as 100 overseas minutes. Users will also get access to free-roaming and 5G.

Conclusion

Which mobile phone service provider in the UK do you recommend the most? Because each mobile provider offers a unique set of features, as well as a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. You have to determine which provider offers the best deal for you. So it ultimately comes down to the expectations that you have set for yourself.

Before you commit to something, you should think about the following:

1. Mobile phone coverage.
2. Whether you're looking to upgrade your current mobile device or not.
3. Duration of the agreement.
4. Data allowance.
5. Core features such as unlimited calling and texting as well as rollover options for data are included.
6. Assistance to customers.

If you give some thought to each of these factors, you should be able to find a mobile service provider that meets your needs. Also, don't forget to compare mobile reviews on various online forums in addition to the website of the service provider. If you take the time to read feedback on independent websites, you will get a more accurate overall view of the service that the company provides.

You'll also need to make a mental note to read the fine print of any applicable terms and conditions. Paying particular attention to those that pertain to the use of unlimited data. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, many mobile service providers have fair use policies. In that case, they can restrict your data usage or slow it down during certain hours if you go over a certain threshold amount of data usage.