Box sets on the train, a football match streamed in the park, a laptop running on your phone’s hotspot in a café: modern phone habits eat through data fast. Watching a data counter tick down towards zero is the opposite of relaxing. An unlimited data SIM only plan removes the counter altogether, so you can stream, share and work wherever you are without rationing gigabytes.
This guide looks at three ways to get unlimited data without a contract, plus one high-data alternative for those who want a large allowance at a lower price.
Who Really Needs Unlimited Data?
- Commuters who stream. An hour of HD video a day can use well over 50GB a month.
- Hotspot users. Tethering a laptop or tablet for work or study uses data far faster than a phone alone.
- Households sharing one connection. A phone hotspot can cover a flat or a holiday rental.
- Frequent travellers. A generous roaming allowance means you keep streaming on holiday too.
If any of these sound familiar, an unlimited data SIM with no contract is likely to save you both money and stress.
Three Unlimited Plans and One High-Data Alternative
UK Plan Unlimited
The flagship 30 day plan pairs unlimited data with unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes. It also has the most generous roaming allowance in the 30 day range, with up to 35GB of data in the EU and India, so your streaming habits travel with you. It lists at £25 per 30 days and is currently £12.50 for the first month, a low-risk way to see how much data you really use.
UK Plan Unlimited 24 month
Already know you want unlimited data for the long haul? The 24 month version gives you the same unlimited data, unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes for £20.00 per 30 days, the lowest monthly price for unlimited data in the range. eSIM is available, so you can switch without waiting for a card in the post.
UK Plan Unlimited Plus
For heavy data users who also call abroad, Unlimited Plus adds unlimited international minutes to unlimited data and unlimited UK calls and texts, with EU, China and India data roaming. It costs £30.00 per 30 days and replaces both a data plan and a separate international calling bundle.
UK Plan Mega Plus, 120GB
Not quite ready for unlimited? Mega Plus gives you 120GB, which is more than most people use in a month, with unlimited UK calls and texts, 100 international minutes and up to 12GB of EU and India roaming. It lists at £20 per 30 days and is currently £10 for the first month.
Unlimited or 120GB: Which Is Better Value?
If you regularly use more than 100GB a month, or rely on your phone as your main internet connection, the extra £5 for UK Plan Unlimited over Mega Plus buys you complete peace of mind, plus almost three times the roaming allowance. If your usage sits comfortably below 100GB, Mega Plus gives you a huge allowance at a lower price. And if you already know you will stay for two years, the 24 month unlimited plan costs the same per 30 days as Mega Plus on a 30 day term, which makes it the stand-out unlimited data deal for long-term users.
Getting the Most From Unlimited Data
Set your streaming apps to HD on mobile data, because there is no reason to compromise on picture quality any more. Turn on your phone’s personal hotspot for laptops and tablets when you are away from home or on holiday, and skip the habit of downloading shows in advance: just stream as you go. When you travel to Europe or India, remember that roaming has its own cap, so check your allowance before a long trip. Unlimited allowances are subject to a fair usage policy, as is standard across the industry.
Wrapping Up
UK Plan Unlimited is the flexible 30 day choice, the 24 month version is the lowest monthly price, Unlimited Plus adds unlimited calls abroad, and Mega Plus is a strong high-data alternative. Pick the one that matches how you use your phone and enjoy a 5G unlimited data plan that never asks you to count gigabytes.
All four plans are available from Lyca Mobile. Taking that unlimited data on holiday? Discover where to go next with the travel guides at HolidayzGuide.