Good value deals and a handy data rollover system make Sky Mobile quite an attractive choice - but is it worth it?
Our Sky Mobile review in summary
Great value SIM-only plans, a wide range of handset deals that offer great upgrade flexibility, and the ability to rollover unused data all go to make Sky Mobile one of the best mobile networks around.
There are plans to suit all budgets and needs, excellent 4G coverage and well rated 5G, with Sky making use of O2’s network to ensure virtually all of the UK can get its services.
Sadly though, roaming is no longer included.
Pros and cons of choosing Sky Mobile
Pros
- Good value and above average customer satisfaction
- Unlimited data plans do not have a fair use policy, making Sky Mobile 'truly' unlimited
- Data rollovers can be 'banked' and spent on rewards, phones, or shared with other SIMs on your account
- Sky Mobile are e-SIM compatible
- If you're a Sky TV customer, you can stream Sky apps like Sky Sports on the go without using your data allowance. If you're not a Sky TV customer, you can still watch content that doesn't require a subscription without using your data up either
- Backed by a strong network (O2) with 99% UK mobile coverage
- You can change your data allowance mid-contract - both up and down
Cons
- EU roaming costs extra
- No rolling contract options make Sky Mobile less flexible than other virtual network operators, though you can tailor your plan mid-contract to make it cheaper if you're not using your data allowance and don't want to use their data rollover service
What network does Sky Mobile use?
Sky piggybacks off of O2’s network, which means 99% of the UK population is covered by its 4G service, and over 3,200 towns and cities are covered by their 5G service. Only the most remote areas will struggle to get connected.
According to Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience Report, O2's 5G download speed averaged 80.1 Mbps, making it the slowest 5G connection out of the four big networks (Three, EE, O2, and Vodafone.)
Network | 5G Download Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|
Three | 208.9 |
O2 | 80.1 |
EE | 96.8 |
Vodafone | 138.7 |
Is roaming included?
Sky Mobile no longer includes roaming as part of its deals. Instead, you’ll need to pay £2 per day for its Roaming Passport Plus pass in order to access your allowance in over 55 destinations, including the EU and EEA (excluding the Republic of Ireland).
Although this isn’t the most affordable solution around, it does have the bonus of working in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the USA, as well as the EU and EEA.
Any destinations not covered by the Roaming Passport Plus will incur charges for minutes, text, and data usage - you can check each countries cost in Sky's own tariff guide.
If cost-effective roaming is important to you, read our best networks for roaming breakdown.
Sky Mobile's customer service performance
According to Ofcom's Customer Service Report, Sky Mobile:
- Receive fewer complaints per 100,000 subscribers than average
- Perform marginally above average for overall satisfaction with the service
- Marginally below average for signal strength satisfaction
- Marginally above average for customer complaint satisfaction
All in all, with 88% of customers reporting they're satisfied with the overall service, Sky Mobile are a good bet for those wanting a network with a good customer support experience.
Sky Mobile SIM-only plans
Sky Mobile has a simple, easy to understand range of SIM only plans. At the time of writing, these range from an entry level deal offering 3GB of data and unlimited calls and texts to an unlimited data plan.
5G access comes as standard if your phone is 5G-ready.
Sky Mobile’s SIM-only prices represent good value and are boosted by Sky Piggybank, which lets you rollover unused data. You can either use this data yourself the next month, share it with up to seven other SIMs on your Sky Mobile account, or even put it towards the cost of a new phone.
Sky Mobile phone contract plans
Sky Mobile phone contract plans work slightly differently from the standard 24-month handset and data plans you get with most mobile providers.
It offers 24 and 36-month phone plans, with the monthly repayment covering the cost of the phone only. This can then be paired with one of its SIM-only deals.
And the good news is that if you take out a 24-month deal you can change to a new phone after 12 months with no extra charge. This rises to 24 months if you go for a 36-month phone contract.
Sky Mobile stores and customer experience
Sky doesn’t have its own mobile stores. Instead, you’ll need to order your SIM online. MoneySuperMarket can connect you with the best Sky Mobile deals right now.
If you prefer chatting face-to-face to a representative, that may not be ideal – but if you’re happy for customer service to be handled online, it does mean Sky can keep its overheads down and pass the savings onto you.
How does Sky Mobile compare with other networks?
Sky Mobile is a virtual network, meaning it uses O2’s service to get you connected. Other, similar networks like iD Mobile, SMARTY and giffgaff deliver SIM-only deals with 5G for around the same price. However, Sky Mobile has better smartphone contract options than these providers.
The big names, including O2, Vodafone, EE and Three, also carry the latest phones, often on easier to understand 24-month deals, with the chance to upgrade early too. However, Sky’s excellent customer service sets it apart from the top providers.
