Giffgaff Launch New UK 4G Tariffs – Now Say Goodbye to Unlimited Data

Mobile operator giffgaff, which makes use of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) platform from O2 UK, will tomorrow revamp its range of 4G and Tethering friendly mobile tariffs (goodybags) to include bigger Internet data allowances and more choice. Now say goodbye to the “unlimited” plan.

At present customers can pick from a selection of three 4G and three 3G based mobile plans (goodybags). The bad news is that their “unlimited” usage 3G plan at £20 per month will be coming to an end in January 2016 and their £12 plan will follow a little later (closing March 2016). On top of that the 3G plan for £15 has today also been removed.

In place of those giffgaff appear to be centralising around 4G tariffs, which can of course still drop back to 3G when the new service is not available. For existing 4G customers the new plans mean an extra 1GB of data on top of their existing allowances and double the free minutes for those who take giffgaff’s £15 and £18 plans.

Sadly those who subscribe to the old 3G goodybag plans will actually see a loss of 1GB from their data allowances at the same price point (e.g. the £12 plan use to have 3GB of data, but now it only comes with 2GB), although some of these plans also benefit from double the free calling minutes (i.e. the £15 and £20 goodybags). All of the new plans also include the usual free giffgaff to giffgaff calls.

GiffGaffs New Goodybag Tariffs

£5 per month
100 UK minutes
300 UK texts
100MB UK data

£7.50 per month
250 UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
500MB UK data

£10 per month
500 UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
1GB UK data

£12 per month
500 UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
2GB UK data

£15 per month
1000 UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
4GB UK data

£18 per month
2000 UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
6GB UK data

£20 per month
Unlimited UK minutes
Unlimited UK texts
Always On UK data

The eagle eyed will have noticed that the new £20 plan, which previously promoted “unlimited” data usage, now touts the somewhat more ambiguous sounding “always on” UK data. We’re told that this Always On goodybag offers members 4G speeds on the first 6GB of data used and then access to unlimited data at a restricted speed (256Kbps) from 8am until midnight.

Giffgaff Statement

We know many of you find the concept of Unlimited appealing as it gives peace of mind that you will always have data. However over the last year we have seen a big reduction in the number of people who opt for Unlimited for a number of reasons: a price increase; bigger bundles at lower price points and; the introduction of one of our most popular member ideas, the ability to ‘Early repurchase’.

The fact remains though that a small number of Unlimited members still use a huge portion of our available data. Traffic Flow measures we’ve told you about over the last year have helped but they are not the full solution. With growing support in the Community for a new way to make the distribution of data fairer and protect the experience for all, the time feels right for a change.

On top of that it’s worth noting that giffgaff also sell two dedicated Mobile Broadband (data-only) plans (gigabags), which remain unchanged except for adding 4G support. The options are 500MB UK data for £5 per month or 1GB of UK data for £7.50.