What is Talkmobile?
Talkmobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which is a somewhat technical term for small, independent network providers which ‘piggyback’ off the existing network infrastructure of one of the so-called ‘Big Four’. In the case of Talkmobile, this network is Vodafone.
Talkmobile was originally owned by Carphone Warehouse when it was launched back in 2007, but was subsequently bought by Vodafone in 2011. Running on Vodafone’s network means that Talkmobile can offer reliable coverage to over 99% of the UK’s population.
However, Talkmobile forgoes most of the perks, benefits, and extras that Vodafone offers on many of its mobile deals, instead focusing on offering simple, but cheap, SIM only deals. It also offers a number of competitive upgrade deals, although the choice of handsets on offer is fairly limited.
Talkmobile: At a glance
| The good: | The bad: |
|---|---|
| Cheap and simple SIM only plans | Limited number of handsets on offer |
| Rolling, monthly contracts with no credit check | No unlimited data plans available |
| Free roaming in 41 destinations | No freebies or extras |
What does Talkmobile offer?
Talkmobile prides itself on offering simple, no-frills SIM only plans at very competitive prices. The number of SIM only deals on offer is also fairly limited, with monthly data allowances ranging from 4GB to just 100GB (no unlimited plans, unfortunately). However, all of Talkmobile’s SIM only deals come with unlimited minutes and texts as standard.
Talkmobile also offers a limited number of upgrade deals, in which you can get a handset along with your SIM, although the choice of models on offer isn’t the widest.
Talkmobile SIM only deals
All of Talkmobile’s SIM only deals are available on rolling, monthly contracts. This means you’re free to switch network providers at any time should you be dissatisfied with their service for any reason, or you find a better SIM deal elsewhere.
Talkmobile’s rolling SIM plans start at just £4.95 a month for the most basic offering (4GB of data per month). But if you’re after a bit more data than that, they go all the way up to 200GB per month, which will only set you back £13.95 per month - a great deal for that price.
Compare the following SIM only deals from Talkmobile to see if there’s a plan that fits your needs and budget:
| Provider | Data | Monthly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
4 GB | £4.95 | See deal |
|
6 GB | £5.95 | See deal |
|
15 GB | £6.95 | See deal |
|
30 GB | £7.95 | See deal |
|
100 GB | £11.95 | See deal |
|
200 GB | £13.95 | See deal |
Talkmobile upgrade deals
If you’re an existing Talkmobile customer, you can also get an upgrade deal in which you’ll get a brand new handset along with your SIM. The number of handsets on offer is currently limited, however, so you will likely have much more choice with one of the more established network providers.
That being said, there’s no harm in seeing what is on offer, and to do so all you need to do is enter your existing Talkmobile number on their website.
Here are just some of the handsets offered by Talkmobile, all of which come with no upfront fees (please note these are separate costs from your monthly SIM allowance):
| Phone | Upfront cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A12 | £0 | £12 |
| Samsung Galaxy A03 | £0 | £12 |
| Apple iPhone SE 2020 | £0 | £24 |
Coverage: Is Talkmobile available where I live?
Because Talkmobile runs off Vodafone’s network infrastructure, Talkmobile customers will be able to get signal wherever Vodafone customers do. And with Vodafone covering over 99% of the UK population, including 94% of indoor premises and 79% of outdoor areas, that’s a lot of coverage.
Talkmobile has also recently added 5G coverage to its SIMs, as long as you have a 5G-compatible phone. You will also need to be in an area covered by Vodafone’s network, which currently stands at over 150 and is climbing. However, according to data from OpenSignal, Vodafone’s average 5G download speeds of 92Mbps is the lowest of the big four.
As always, you should check whether any new network you’re switching to has coverage in your area. With over 99% of the population covered by Talkmobile, you may think this is unnecessary, but you don’t want to be part of that small percentage that’s left out. This is especially true if you live in a remote or rural area. You can check mobile coverage where you live on Ofcom’s website.
What else does Talkmobile offer?
While Talkmobile doesn't offer any perks and freebies in the way that Vodafone does, such as gift cards or subscription services, it does offer cheap SIM only deals on flexible, rolling monthly contracts.
It also offers:
- Free roaming: Unlike Vodafone, which has recently brought back roaming charges in the EU, Talkmobile allows you to use your data, minutes, and texts, for no extra cost in up to 41 European destinations.
- WiFi calling: If you're ever in an area with patchy mobile signal, you will automatically be siwtched to a local WiFi network if it's available, so that you can enjoy your phone calls or internet browsing without interruption.
- Spending caps: You can set personal spending caps of up to £50 with Talkmobile. This means that you'll be blocked from ever going over this limit, which can happen surprisingly quickly if you're regularly paying for data add-ons.