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Plusnet Mobile Deals March 2024
With the imminent merger of Plusnet Mobile and EE, get an EE deal to suit you
Plusnet Mobile Deals March 2024
With the imminent merger of Plusnet Mobile and EE, get an EE deal to suit you
This site is operated by Savings United, providing broadband and mobile deals from brands selected by Telegraph Media Group.
Plusnet Mobile was launched in 2016, which is recent when you consider Plusnet has been around since the late 1990s. This makes Plusnet one of only a few ‘quad-play’ providers that offer home broadband, landline, TV subscriptions and mobile phone services. Positioned as a no-frills mobile provider, Plusnet’s appeal is firmly focused on offering value for money – but is it right for you?
Plusnet Mobile Deals
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Plusnet sell mobile phones?
- Can I use Plusnet Mobile abroad?
- Can I keep my Plusnet Mobile number if I switch?
- Does Plusnet Mobile support WiFi calling?
- Can you tether on Plusnet Mobile?
- Does Plusnet Mobile use the EE network?
- How do I cancel Plusnet Mobile?
- Is Plusnet Mobile customer service good?
- Do Plusnet do phone deals?
- Pick the topic you are interested in
Last updated: 20 March, 2024 | Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes
Is Plusnet closing down?
After recent announcements, Plusnet Mobile plans to close in the following few months. This means that Plusnet customers will have to switch their provider to ensure they keep their handset or current mobile number.
As Plusnet uses EE’s infrastructure, current customers of Plusnet will be offered exclusive deals to switch to EE mobile. Even if you are mid-contract, Plusnet offers this switch completely penalty-free.
Plusnet Mobile deals
Plusnet offers a selection of SIM-only deals that are mainly aimed at low-to-medium data users, which is ideal if you don’t use your mobile phone much. It doesn’t provide handsets either, so if you need a new device, you’ll have to source this elsewhere or keep hold of your current phone. The lack of handset does, however, mean there are no upfront fees to pay and no lengthy contracts. All Plusnet SIM-only deals come as 30-day rolling contracts, giving you the flexibility of no minimum term and the ability to switch plan or provider with just 30 days’ notice.
Plusnet SIM-only deals
All Plusnet SIM-only deals come with unlimited texts but not all plans come with unlimited minutes. You can, of course, add on extra minutes for an additional cost, but it’s worth keeping this point in mind if you predominantly use your phone for calling.
If you’re an existing Plusnet Broadband customer, you’ll get an extra 2GB data bonus on top of its standard offer. Currently, Plusnet offers the following SIM-only deals:
| GB data | Cost per month | Contract length | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | £14 | 24 months | 25Mbps, unlimited minutes and texts, No Frills plan |
| 5GB | £22 | 1 month | Unlimited minutes and texts, 25Mbps, No Frills plan |
| 25GB | £22 | 12 months | 25Mps, Unlimited texts and minutes, No Frills plan |
| 125GB | £24 | 12 months | 25Mpbs, Unlimited texts and minutes, No Frills plan |
| 250GB | £18 | 24 months | No Frills plan. 25 Mbps, Unlimited minutes and texts |
| Unlimited | £36 | 24 months | All Rounder Unlimited plan, 1 inclusive extra, gift data to the family, fastest speeds, Unlimited minutes and texts |
*We do not currently offer Plusnet Mobile deals at the moment
Plusnet Mobile plans and pay-monthly deals
Plusnet Mobile does not offer a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM. It offers 30-day deals that you can renew each month or switch providers – it’s entirely up to you. If you’ve bought a Plusnet SIM and think you might run out of data or minutes, you can top up with one of its bolt-ons.
Plusnet doesn’t let you carry over unused data to the next month, so unless you use it all, you risk losing your remaining allowance
Plusnet perks & extras
Plusnet offers a range of benefits for their Mobile customers. Here are some of the perks you get when you sign up to a Plusnet SIM-only plan.
Data bolt-ons
Plusnet allows you to bolt-on extra data and minutes, which you can pick up for an additional cost. The downside is that these extras look expensive, particularly when compared with the actual monthly cost of its SIM-only deals. For example, 250MB of data (enough to browse for a few hours or send some emails) currently costs £2. If you need more, you can buy an extra 1GB for £6. The maximum data bolt-on you can purchase is 4GB and currently costs £15.
Mates rates
If you are also a Plusnet Broadband customer as well as mobile, then you can get Mates Rates on your mobile plan. This will allow you to get more allowance without the added cost. You can register up to 5 mobile accounts with Mates Rates, as long as they live at the same address as your broadband registration.
Plusnet data rollover
Unfortunately Plusnet doesn’t let you carry over unused data to the next month, so unless you use it all, you risk losing your remaining allowance. Only a few mobile providers offer plans that include data rollover, though they aren’t unusual.
If you prefer a SIM plan that lets you rollover your data, the providers that currently offer this are, Vodafone, EE, O2, Sky Mobile, iD Mobile, Virgin Mobile, FreedomPop
Plusnet Smart Cap
Plusnet offers a Smart Cap, which essentially limits the amount you can spend if you exceed your data allowance. For instance, if you’ve opted for a 4GB plan but have gone over your data limit (and haven’t added any bolt-ons), you’ll pay for all the extra data you use beyond 4GB.
To reduce the risk of an unexpectedly high bill at the end of the month, you can set your Smart Cap to anything from £0 (to spend nothing more than your data plan) up to £30. You can change your cap at any time you want, giving you complete control over what you spend.
Plusnet Mobile network coverage
As an MVNO (mobile virtual network provider), Plusnet doesn’t own any mobile network infrastructure. To offer service, it rents space from one of the ‘big four’ mobile companies that do, which are EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone.
Plusnet partners with EE, which has the widest 4G network in the UK, reaching 99% of the country. With that in mind, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue getting mobile signal, although it’s always worth checking coverage in your local area with industry regulator Ofcom](https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage){:target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”} .
EE is also continuing to roll out its 5G network, which promises faster speeds and connectivity, however you’ll need to make sure your handset is 5G-ready to benefit from this.
Plusnet Mobile roaming
With Plusnet’s Roam Like at Home, you can use your monthly plan in over 40 EU destinations including Spain, Italy, France and Germany. That means you can make calls, use data and text the same way you would at home, with no added cost to your monthly allowance.
Plusnet home broadband
Plusnet also offers home broadband, so you can bundle your mobile service together with this. The advantage is that you’ll get an extra 2GB of data on top of standard mobile data plans, but otherwise there are no additional perks for existing Plusnet broadband customers.
Subscribing to home broadband with Plusnet, will also give you the chance to sign up to BT Sport. The cost of this will depend on the package you choose, but you’ll be able to watch all your favourite events using the BT Sport app, through the BT Sport website or via Sky.
Does Plusnet offer mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband enables you to connect devices, such as a laptop or tablet, to the internet while you’re on the go. Instead of using a fixed connection, mobile broadband is accessed using a separate WiFi device (such as a dongle or data-only SIM), which means you can get online using 4G or 5G as you would using your smartphone.
At the moment, Plusnet does not offer a data-only SIM card for mobile broadband. Its SIM cards do fit in tablets and WiFi routers but you may not be able to use your minutes and texts as they’re unlikely to be supported by those devices.
If you’re interested in broadband, don’t forget you can also buy fixed-line broadband from Plusnet. Contracts for home broadband come with a minimum term of either 12 or 18 months.
Plusnet Mobile review
Plusnet is known to offer some great broadband plans, but what about its mobile deals? Compare what the review sites say about Plusnet to find out if it’s really worth signing up for and whether it’s right for you. We will also be considering the pros and cons of Plusnet Mobile.
| expertreviews.co.uk | Trustpilot | simsherpa.com | 4g.co.uk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 2.3/5 ⭐⭐ | 2.5/5 ⭐⭐ | 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Our verdict
According to review sites, Plusnet Mobile is rated highly, particularly by 4G and ExpertReviews, which both gave it 4 stars. These sites refer to it as an inexpensive way of using the EE mobile network without 5G.
Plusnet has been described by customers as good value for money, particularly if you’re happy with a 4G rather than 5G data plan. If you’re looking for low cost SIM deals with free EU roaming as well as good customer service, Plusnet is a good option.
The main downside is that there is no 5G coverage and some users have issues with audio or video streaming. Overall, Plusnet could be a good choice for a low cost SIM deal depending on your needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All SIM-only deals come with unlimited texts.
- No upfront fees.
- No lengthy contracts.
- 2GB data bonus for existing Plusnet customers.
Cons
- No data rollover.
- Doesn’t currently offer phone contracts.
Frequently asked questions
No, Plusnet doesn’t sell handsets, just SIM-only plans on 30-day rolling contracts.
Plusnet SIM cards are available as a triple SIM, which means they’ll fit all smartphones regardless of whether they require a standard, micro or nano SIM.
Yes, Plusnet Mobile lets you use your phone in 40 European countries just as you can at home in the UK. So, if you’re in France or Germany, you can call friends and family as if they were around the corner. Remember that if you exceed your data allowance, you’ll be charged for the extra data and minutes you use up to your Smart Cap limit.
Yes, if you switch from Plusnet to another provider, you can keep your Plusnet mobile phone number. Similarly, if you’re switching to Plusnet from another provider, you can keep your old number too.
To keep your mobile number when you switch, you’ll need to ask your existing provider for a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). You’ll need to give this code to your new provider so they can transfer the number to your new account. It’s crucial to ask for the PAC before you cancel your mobile subscription as the account will need to be active for the transfer to happen.
If you live in an area with poor mobile reception, WiFi calling enables you to use your mobile using your home WiFi signal. Unfortunately, however, WiFi calling is not offered by Plusnet Mobile.
Yes, Plusnet Mobile supports tethering, which means you can use your smartphone as a WiFi hotspot. In other words, you can link your phone to your laptop or another device and go online while you’re not connected to WiFi.
Yes, Plusnet Mobile uses the EE mobile network in its operations. This is because Plusnet is what’s known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). MVNOs are operators that do not own their own mobile network and instead piggyback off the ‘big four’ companies, namely EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2.
If you want to cancel your mobile contract, just let Plusnet know. You can do this by calling 500 from your Plusnet mobile or by calling 0800 079 1133 from your landline, and they will then take you through your options.
You’ll need to give them 30 days’ notice if you want to cancel, unless you’re within the 14-day cooling-off period (which starts the day your order is accepted). Remember that, if you want to take your Plusnet mobile number with you, you’ll need to ask for a PAC.
Plusnet only uses UK-based call centres for its customer service, which are open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, 9am to 7pm Saturdays, and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.
In terms of reviews, it’s tricky to separate those made by mobile or broadband customers. Typical comments on independent forums suggest that Plusnet’s customer service is very good and that frustrations tend to arise from problems with the service itself, be this for broadband or mobile.
Plusnet offers a range of sim-only deals to suit your budget, but does not currently offer PAYG or phone plans.