Vodafone UK Launch First Free 7-Day eSIM Mobile Network Trial

New customers who fancy giving Vodafone’s mobile network (4G and 5G) a try in London can now do so for free for seven days as part of a new eSIM based trial, which will give you 50GB of data (mobile broadband), 500 minutes and 500 texts and all without changing your number. But various other cities and locations will soon be able to do the same.

The idea of a “try before you buy” mobile network test, at least in this specific form, is claimed to be somewhat of a “first” in Europe and Vodafone makes clear that there are “no commitments or strings attached” to their promotion (although we have seen similar offers before). Except that you must be a non-Vodafone mobile customer, using an eSIM supporting Smartphone and your device must be geolocated in London.

In order to take advantage of the trial, non-Vodafone mobile customers must simply scan a QR code (which can be found across London) or visit the Vodafone website to sign up online (affiliate link), with the eSIM being installed via the My Vodafone App.

As above, customers can then join the 7-day free network trial without changing their existing number or swapping their SIM card (i.e. this does NOT port your existing mobile service). In that sense, the trial acts a bit like one of those travel eSIMs that people often buy when going abroad, where the new service complements rather than replaces the old one. We think this is a clever way of allowing consumers to try a different network.

Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director of Vodafone UK, said:

“As London’s Best Network, we pride ourselves on connecting this great city to the people and things they love. We know how important it is for people to stay connected, so they can work on the move, stream their favourite TV show or movie, or simply contact friends and family.

With no strings attached, customers of any network have a chance to join our trial for seven days, completely free of charge. So, if they’re experiencing issues with their current provider or just fancy trying London’s Best Network, then now is the perfect time.”

However, there is a small risk that messing around with too many eSIMs can become a bit of a muddle with device configurations / SIM profiles, which can sometimes require a greater level of end-user familiarity than normal in order to unpick. But hopefully Vodafone’s App is sophisticated enough to know how to avoid such problems.

The trial will, by default, only harness Vodafone for your data connection in London if you have an existing mobile SIM (i.e. your calls/texts will still come via your existing provider and number). Customers will be able to simply switch between Vodafone’s network and their current provider easily through their device settings.

Finally, London is only the first location to benefit from this, with Vodafone intending to expand the trial across “various cities” during 2025. The trial will also be available to those attending key events throughout the summer, including the Glastonbury Festival and Boardmasters Festival.