What is 1p Mobile?
1p Mobile is a UK pay as you go and SIM only provider that sells flexible 30 day plans with no contract. It is a trading name of Telecommunications Management Limited, which its own about page says is owned by FTSE 250 listed Telecom Plus PLC.
The headline is in the name. The classic tariff charges 1p a minute for calls to UK mobiles and landlines, 1p a text and 1p for each megabyte of data. There is no monthly fee on that tariff, so you pay for what you use.
Most people reading about this want to know one thing: is it actually cheaper than the big names? The honest answer depends on how much data you use, so we will walk through it.
Plenty of us stay on an old contract out of habit. That is the Do Nothing Default, and phone networks are happy to let it run. A rolling 30 day plan like those from 1p Mobile is one way to step out of it.
How does 1p Mobile pricing work?
1p Mobile has two main ways to pay. You can use the 1p a minute, 1p a text, 1p a MB pay as you go tariff, or you can buy a 30 day plan with unlimited UK calls and texts and a data allowance.
According to the 1p Mobile website, the 30 day plans start at £5 for 5GB. The unlimited data plan is £25 for 30 days, and extra SIMs on the same account are listed at £12.50 each. Prices change, so check the live page before you order.
1p Mobile at a glance
- Pay as you go: 1p a minute, 1p a text and 1p a MB, with no monthly fee.
- 30 day plans: from £5 for 5GB, with unlimited UK calls and texts.
- Unlimited plan: £25 for 30 days, with extra SIMs listed at £12.50.
- Yearly plans: for example £55 for 5GB a month over the year, according to the site.
- EU roaming included in 46 destinations, with fair use limits.
Here is the sum that matters. At 1p a MB, using 5GB of data on the pay as you go tariff would cost around £50, because 5,000MB at 1p each is £50. The same 5GB on a 30 day plan is listed at £5. That is arithmetic on advertised prices, not a promise about your bill, but it shows why the pay as you go rate suits light users only.
Who is 1p Mobile best for?
1p Mobile suits people who use little data, want no contract or want to keep a spare SIM cheap. The pay as you go tariff works best for a light user, such as someone who mostly uses WiFi and makes a few calls.
The 30 day plans suit people who want to change their mind. 1p Mobile says you can change plan at any time and add a data Boost mid month. If you are tired of paying for data you never touch, that flexibility is the point.
A quick way to decide is to look at your own numbers. Your phone’s settings show how much mobile data you used last month, and your bill or call log shows how many minutes and texts you used. Put those next to the plan prices and the answer is usually obvious within a minute. If you went over your allowance last month, say so plainly to yourself and pick the bigger plan, rather than hoping next month will be quieter.
Families may look at the unlimited plan with extra SIMs. For a household with several phones, our guide to family SIM deals shows what else is out there.
1p Mobile is less obviously right for someone who wants a handset on a monthly plan, because it sells SIM only plans. If that is you, comparing handset deals is a better start.
What should you check before switching to 1p Mobile?
Check the network and coverage first. The 1p Mobile about page describes its network as the UK’s largest and fastest and says it covers 99% of the UK population, but it does not name the network there. Use the coverage checker on its site and, if you can, ask people near you how signal is at your address. Our guide to the best mobile network explains how coverage can differ from street to street.
Next, read the fair use rules. The unlimited plan says speeds may slow at busy locations if you use more than 500GB in a boost period. That is a lot of data, but it is a limit, and it is in the small print.
Then check roaming. 1p Mobile says EU roaming is included in 46 destinations, and that boosts used abroad are subject to a 14GB cap. If you travel often, read those terms before you go.
Finally, think about your number and your phone. 1p Mobile says you can keep your number and that it offers eSIM as well as a physical SIM, with a 14 day money back guarantee. Your phone needs to be unlocked. Our eSIM vs SIM guide covers how to choose.
The site also says there are no credit checks and no contracts. That is 1p Mobile’s own claim, so read the terms and conditions on the page you order from.
If you want to see how 1p Mobile stacks up against other SIM only deals and pay as you go options, a comparison takes a couple of minutes. Our guide to pay as you go mobile deals is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions about 1p Mobile
- Is 1p Mobile a contract?
- No. 1p Mobile says its plans are 30 day plans with no long term commitment, and that there are no contracts or credit checks.
- How much is 1p Mobile?
- The pay as you go tariff is 1p a minute, 1p a text and 1p a MB. The 30 day plans start at £5 for 5GB, and the unlimited plan is listed at £25. Check the live prices before you order.
- Does 1p Mobile work abroad?
- 1p Mobile says EU roaming is included in 46 destinations, subject to fair use and a 14GB cap on boosts used abroad.
- Can I keep my number with 1p Mobile?
- Yes. 1p Mobile says you can keep your existing number when you switch.
- Does 1p Mobile offer eSIM?
- Yes. 1p Mobile says it offers both eSIM and a physical SIM.
