Mobile Operator Giffgaff Plan to Boost UK 4G and 5G Data Caps
Mobile network operator giffgaff has today announced that it will shortly introduce a range of new SIM-Only “goodybag” plans and, at the same time, it will also boost mobile data allowances across most of their existing plans too. The changes are due to be introduced from 7th December 2022.
We should point out that all of giffgaf’s plans offer a 30-day term, unlimited calls / texts and support both 4G and 5G mobile connectivity. The provider is an O2 (VMO2) based Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).
Otherwise, we’ve summarised all of the key changes below. Take note that giffgaff has already frozen their UK prices until the end of 2023. Credits to one of our readers (Gareth) for spotting the changes.
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Goodybag Changes (prices are monthly)
£8 4GB (up from 3GB)
£10 15GB (up from 12GB)
£12 25GB (up from 20GB)
£15 30GB (up from 25GB)Golden Goodybag Changes
£10 20GB (up from 15GB)
£15 35GB (up from 30GB)New Goodybag Plans
£6 2GB
£8 5GB
£12 26GB
£25 100GB + Always On
£35 150GB
The £25 100GB + Always On plan sounds a bit like a replacement for their existing package at the same price point – this currently gives you 80GB of data and after that it allows you to continue using data, albeit only at the reduced speed of 384kbps from 8am to Midnight.
One other unusual addition is the new £35 plan with 150GB of data, which is the same price point as their existing Golden Goodybag with “unlimited data“, which we’re told will still exist after 7th December. But why would anybody pick a capped allowance for the same price as one with “unlimited data“? Confusing.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I’m sure O2’s network can handle the extra data. /s
It’s genius. Charge for unlimited data, can’t blumming use it!
I have rarely used 02’s network in the past as they are just terrible for 4G/5G speeds and signal.
O2 is by far the worst performing mobile network in UK.
Is this due to 4 Million Virgin Mobile customers being dumped on it recently?
They have HUGE data throughput problems, all being ignored and played down by the company.
It’s not possible to send/receive whatsapp or iMessages some afternoons.
So many people at work and friends are leaving this network in droves. Some were customers for 15 years+ That is how bad the problems have become.
With one exception. If you’re that far away (and not LoS) from the base that only Band 20 works. O2 have twice the spectrum there compared with any other operator. I can get up to 15Mbps on 02 (via GiffGaff). Never more that 4 or 5 on any other operator.
O2 have the same amount of Band 20 as Vodafone. O2 have more customers than Vodafone, so Vodafone is usually faster in these Band 20 only areas.
giffgaff’s goodybag plans last for a month (28-31 days depending on the month)
Of the new goodybags, the £6, £8, £12 and £25 ones are Golden goodybags which must be set to recur against a saved payment method.
The new £25 ‘Always on’ golden goodybag has 20 GB more full speed data before speed restrictions apply compared to the existing standard version.
‘But why would anybody pick a capped allowance for the same price as one with “unlimited data“?’
The new £35 goodybag (150 GB) can be purchased manually, while the existing one with unlimited data is a golden goodybag
The data allowances of the full lineup from 7 December 2022 looks like this:
| Goodybag | Standard | Golden |
|:————-:|:————:|:————-:|
| £6 | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| £8 | 4 GB | 5 GB |
| £10 | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| £12 | 25 GB | 26 GB |
| £15 | 30 GB | 35 GB |
| £20 | 80 GB | 100 GB |
| £25 | 80 GB + | 100 GB + |
| £35 | 150 GB | Unlimited |
——————————————-
Thanks for the table, it helped clarify why there were two £8 plans.
I’m with giffgaff..I live 5 miles from Birmingham.. so why do I only get 1 bar so forget the data cap ..do something about the signals.. and the stop throttling the speed
Lmao, they don’t even have VoLTE and VoWIFI. what is this, 2012?
Do yourself the biggest favour of the year and port over to SMARTY.
VoLTE calls over 4G, no more ancient 3G dropped calls on GuffGuff
Wi-Fi calling is available on Smarty too
O2/GuffGuff is atrocious they have severely underinvested and its biting everyone now.
Last thing, try get a recommendation link to join SMARTY you both get a gift of some sort
This is good news from Giffgaff and gives welcome increased competition in the pay as you go (bundles) mobile sector.
If only giffgaff moved from o2 to Vodafone or EE … but wait it’s fully owned by Telefonica 😉
So the always on is capped to 384kbps? I hope that speed is a promise as it’s much faster than the speeds you usually get on the O2 network! O2 make Three look fast and that’s saying something!
150 Gb max / unlimited that’s nothing on my ee unlimited sim no max mbps £25 I’m using 300 GB of mobile on my s20 fe 5G phone my allowance resets every 27th day of each month .
I am with GG and it’s ok. Most people who discuss items on their forum, get their phone service for nothing. I pop in most days and have a chit chat on it, help a few folk out if they’re stuck with something to do with their broadband or phone. GG will reward you back twice a year. Last time I got £66 of free airtime credit, just for popping in most days for 6 months. It made my phone free for 11 months
I also have a sim only PAYG for my work phone with them – put £10 on about 4 years ago. They gave me £10 bonus on top and gave my other account £10 credit too for referring myself. I still have £15 on it, as my work phone is all incoming calls at home and most texts are iMessage or whatsapp
All in all, not a bad service from them
GuffGuff are always behind the curve with their ‘goodybags’ – way too expensive for data.
I could never get a decent mobile data speed when I did have a goodybag.
Having been with them for about 12 years I have just switched to Smarty – much cheaper and mobile data that you can actually use! The ‘free calls to other GuffGuffs’ aspect is fine but mobile data is a must these days.