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Compare 5G SIM only deals
Get access to 5G speeds from the UK's top networks
5G is here. The next generation of smartphone technology is well into its rollout, with a huge range of exciting 5G smartphones already available. But to use a 5G phone, you’ll need to pick up a 5G SIM only plan.
What are 5G SIMs?
A 5G SIM card does what it says on the tin - it’s a SIM card that will enable you to connect to 5G, the latest advancement in mobile phone technology.
Can I get a 5G SIM card with unlimited data?
One way of making sure you never run out of data on 5G is by getting a deal that offers unlimited data, and thankfully there are unlimited 5G data deals from the likes of Vodafone, Three and more.
What’s the cheapest 5G SIM deal?
There is a range of cheap 5G SIM only deals to choose from.
One thing to remember is, if you do use 5G to stream and download, you might end up using a lot of data quite quickly. So it is worth looking out for a deal that has enough data to suit your needs. Check out our cheapest 5G SIM only deals below:
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When will 5G launch in the UK?
The 5G era is well under way, most major networks are already live, so let's see how they all stack up.
EE
EE's 5G network launched in the UK on 30 May 2019 in six just cities - Belfast, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. It’s now available in 125 UK locations including major cities like Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Vodafone
Vodafone launched on 3 July 2019, with its service available at first in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London. It’s now available in around 100 UK locations including places like Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Guildford, Newbury, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington and Wolverhampton.
Vodafone has made a big statement with its 5G offering by shaking up the traditional 'data allowance' system and instead offering unlimited data in a tiered speed system, similar to what you might get your broadband
Vodafone has also now launched 5G and unlimited data for all its PAYG customers too. This enables people to benefit from the blistering speeds of 5G without the confines of a monthly contract.
Three
After a bit of a delay, Three's 5G was launched in February 2020, with the rollout initially covering 66 UK locations including London, Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Aberdeen and many more. It’s now extended to 194 locations at the time of writing so that’s great coverage.
Three has dubbed their 5G as the ‘real 5G’ because it has up to twice the 5G spectrum of other networks. In theory, that means downloading movies and music and gaming online will be far faster on Three than on its competitors.
Three’s 5G also comes at no extra cost, once the service is launched all Three’s SIMs will be 5G ready so all you’ll need is a 5G smartphone and you’ll be good to go.
The company has also launched a 5G home broadband service in London. EE and Vodafone are offering home routers utilising 5G, as the need for traditional landline connections looks set to dissipate in the next few years.
O2
O2 began its 5G rollout in October 2019. It initially launched in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Slough. It now spans 150 UK locations.
Sky Mobile
Sky Mobile's 5G is now officially switched on in 160 locations throughout the UK, such as London, Belfast, Leeds, Edinburgh and more. Sky Mobile’s 5G is available to its customers for free providing they sign up to the Sky VIP programme - which is free to join.
Without a Sky VIP membership, adding 5G to a Sky Mobile plan will cost an additional £5 a month.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile has launched the start of its 5G offering - and it’s live in 160 cities around the UK.
Tesco Mobile customers in cities and towns including Bournemouth, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Glasgow, Leeds and London can now access super fast 5G connection speeds.
