Mobile network operator O2 (VMO2) appears to have launched a tariff refresh of their Pay Monthly (SIM-Only and Phone) plans today, which sees some prices rise (others stay the same), tweaks to data allowances and possibly a few additional changes that we’ve yet to fully identify.
As usual, all of O2’s Pay Monthly plans continue to include unlimited UK calls and texts, “free” roaming in the EU (up to 25GB on data for mobile broadband), free access to O2’s network of public WiFi hotspots, 5G support and the offer of double the data allowance if you’re also a customer of ISP Virgin Media’s home broadband service.
The plans also come with various extra benefits, such as up to 3 months free Apple Music and 3 months of Disney+ on their 24-month terms. O2’s more expensive ‘Plus’ plans also increase this to 6 months free and give you a choice of Disney+, Amazon Prime or Music, Audible and more. The ‘Plus’ plans also add roaming at no extra cost in 75 destinations worldwide, including the EU, USA and Australia.
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We’ve summarised the new SIM Only version of their 24-month term plans below, but you can also take a 12-month or 30-day term – usually at extra cost and with fewer features.
O2’s Refreshed Pay Monthly Plans (24-Months)
3GB – £13
6GB – £15
25GB – £18
30GB (Plus Plan) – £19.99
125GB – £21
150GB (Plus Plan) – £22.99
Unlimited Data – £30
Unlimited Data (Plus Plan) – £31.99
Just for a quick comparison, the previous entry-level tier on their 24-month plans was 6GB for £12 and the top Unlimited Data plan is unchanged on £30 (£32 on Plus). The previous promotion of 6-months at half-price has also been removed.
It’s disappointing to see that our friends at o2 are getting less competitive. Their priority rewards app is still the best on the market but that can’t be said about their network (looking at the recent rootmetrics reports). The only real benefit I see with them is their inclusive (I can’t say free) 25GB EU roaming allowance. If people would like to join o2 on a more competitive price they can join virgin mobile and wait to be migrated to o2 by the end of the year. They promise double data or unlimited data at no extra cost for virgin mobile customers that have been migrated to o2 (you will become a full o2 customer which means you will have an account with o2)
Hmm. Looks like O2 deals on uswitch and moneysupermarket have gone; hope it’s not permanent. These were far cheaper than O2. Me thinks I’ll be off to escape the price hikes if I can’t reset to a new tariff and usually get 3 months Disney+ free.
Those list prices at O2 are ridiculous.
Have you looked at the quidco or top cashback web sites? I’m not sure what o2’s offers are there, but Three used to have substantially cheaper deals, all with cashback
The cheap deals are back on uSwitch. 50GB for £12/month on a 12 month contract with EU roaming is a pretty good deal, especially if you’re also with Virgin Media cable and so qualify for the double data (to 100GB) “Volt” promotion.
Makes my 20Gb for £8 look amazing value, doubled with Volt to 40Gb for £8. I hope I’m not going to be increased to these sort of prices. I took it in July and not had any price change notification yet either.
Think I will stick with Lebara, got my son 21gb for £7.95. 02 can give as much data as they want, we found it didn’t work most of the time anyway! Lebara much cheaper and data via Vodafone actually works on 4g and large parts of our city (Plymouth) 5g too!
None of the o2 tariffs seem in any way competitive. I fear that the mobile market in the UK is going to become less and less competitive, and more and more expensive. Virgin Mobile will soon disappear. Three and Vodafone seem poised to merge, removing Three as the main market challenger. Higher prices and less choice on the way.
If they scrap SMARTY in favour of VOXI I will be disappointed. I hope they maintain both value options, even if it is unlikely.
Seems I was lucky to get a 24 month SIM only for 12gb at £12…
These new allowances and prices are pretty silly, jumping from 6gb to 25gb but maybe that’s just me.