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Lyca Review
Lycamobile is one of the world's largest MVNOs, operating in over 20 countries with a particularly strong presence in the UK. Originally founded in 20...
Network Info
3.6/5
MVNO
5G Ready
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent international calling rates with inclusive minutes to dozens of countries on all plans
- Very competitive pricing, with plans starting from as little as two pounds 50 for the first month
- 5G access included at no extra cost on EE's network
- No credit checks required, making it ideal for newcomers to the UK and those with limited credit history
Cons
- Customer service can be inconsistent, with mixed reviews on Trustpilot and variable response times
- No Wi-Fi calling support, which can be problematic in buildings with poor mobile signal
- Pay-as-you-go rates are very expensive at 23p per minute, 23p per text, and 15p per MB of data
Overview
Lycamobile is one of the world's largest MVNOs, operating in over 20 countries with a particularly strong presence in the UK. Originally founded in 2006, the network has long been the go-to choice for users who make frequent international calls, thanks to its generous inclusive international minutes. In the UK, Lycamobile now operates on EE's network, giving customers access to one of the country's most extensive 4G and 5G infrastructures.
Lycamobile offers a range of SIM-only plans on rolling 30-day contracts, with all plans including unlimited UK calls and texts plus international calling minutes to dozens of countries. The network is particularly popular among immigrant communities and international workers who need to stay connected with family and friends abroad. Plans are available without credit checks, making them accessible to newcomers to the UK who may not yet have a credit history.
In recent years, Lycamobile has significantly improved its offering by moving to the EE network, which brought 5G access at no extra cost and dramatically improved coverage and speeds. The combination of rock-bottom prices, international calling perks, and strong EE network performance makes Lycamobile a genuinely competitive option in the budget MVNO space.
Coverage & Speed
Since moving to the EE network, Lycamobile customers benefit from the UK's most extensive mobile coverage. EE's 4G network reaches over 99% of the UK population, and its 5G coverage is expanding rapidly across cities and towns. This represents a major improvement over Lycamobile's previous network arrangements and puts it on par with far more expensive providers in terms of raw coverage and speed.
Plans & Pricing
Lycamobile offers a range of SIM-only plans on 30-day rolling contracts, with data allowances from 5GB to unlimited. All plans include unlimited UK calls and texts, plus international calling minutes. The network also offers pay-as-you-go bundles for lighter users, though standard PAYG rates are high.
Roaming
Lycamobile includes EU roaming on its plans, allowing customers to use their UK allowances in European destinations subject to fair use limits. For plans with larger data allowances, a cap applies to how much data can be used while roaming. International calling from the UK to selected countries is included on all plans, which is a significant benefit for users who regularly call abroad. Roaming outside the EU is available but typically incurs additional charges.
Our Verdict
Lycamobile occupies a unique position in the UK mobile market as the standout choice for international callers. No other budget MVNO comes close to matching its inclusive international calling minutes, which cover dozens of countries across all plans. Combined with its move to the EE network, which brings excellent 4G and 5G coverage, Lycamobile now offers a genuinely compelling package for users who need to call abroad regularly.
The main areas for improvement are customer service and the lack of Wi-Fi calling. The inconsistent support experience is a real drawback, particularly for customers who are less tech-savvy and need hands-on assistance. The absence of Wi-Fi calling is also notable, as many competitors now offer this feature as standard. Additionally, the expensive pay-as-you-go rates mean that users should always opt for a bundle rather than relying on standard tariffs.
Overall, Lycamobile delivers strong value for its target audience. If you regularly call international numbers or are new to the UK and need an affordable, no-credit-check plan with reliable coverage, Lycamobile is well worth considering. Just make sure you are on a bundle plan rather than using pay-as-you-go rates, and set realistic expectations around customer service.