Seven MVNOs use EE's network in the UK: 1pMobile, EcoTalk, Grade Mobile, Lycamobile, Mozillion, ParentShield, and Spusu. All seven offer the same 4G and 5G coverage as EE itself, with different contract terms, roaming policies, and pricing. This guide explains what each one offers and how to pick the right one for your usage. Verified in May 2026.
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Reviewed by: Phil Brown, founder of SIM Only Finder. Phil previously worked in UK mobile retail at Three UK, advising customers on SIM plans, contracts, and network choices. He has spent over a decade running consumer comparison platforms and reviews networks and SIM-only deals based on that hands-on industry background. About the author
Last reviewed: May 2026. Updated regularly to reflect current plan pricing, network changes, and roaming policies.
How we put this guide together
To put this guide together, we reviewed the seven MVNOs currently running on EE's network in May 2026, checking contract terms, 5G access, roaming policies, and price rise terms directly against each network's published terms. We also drew on our broader experience reviewing UK SIM-only networks and tracking how MVNO arrangements have changed over time. EE itself does not work with price comparison sites and so does not appear in our deal listings, but its pricing is included here for context. Coverage reliability assessments reference the most recent RootMetrics UK RootScore Report and Ofcom Connected Nations data.
What "uses EE's network" actually means
1pMobile, EcoTalk, Grade Mobile, Lycamobile, Mozillion, ParentShield, and Spusu are all MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators). They do not own mast infrastructure. Instead, they buy wholesale access from EE and resell SIM plans under their own brands. The signal you receive on your phone is the same EE signal that an EE direct customer would get in the same location.
That means 4G and 5G coverage is identical to EE on all seven. What changes between the host network and its MVNOs is the contract terms, the extras, and the price. EE supports Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling, also known as VoLTE, which routes voice calls over the 4G network rather than older 2G or 3G connections to give faster call setup and better audio quality. This matters now that UK networks have shut down 3G and are gradually phasing out 2G. Support for Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling varies across EE MVNOs: some networks support both, while others (notably Lycamobile) do not currently offer either. Device compatibility also varies, so it is worth checking your specific phone model against the network's supported devices page before switching.
1pMobile
1pMobile is a pay-as-you-go specialist on EE's network, best known for charging 1p per minute, 1p per text, and 1p per MB of data, with no contract and no monthly commitment. The network also offers traditional bundles for customers who prefer a set monthly allowance, with plans available on 30-day rolling or annual terms.
5G is included on all bundle plans where supported by the handset. EU roaming is included at no extra cost on Boost plans up to a fair usage cap of 14GB per Boost period; usage over that cap is charged at 1p per MB. 1pMobile has committed to no annual price rises on its existing plans, which is unusual at this price point. There is no credit check on any plan.
The catch is that 1pMobile suits customers with low to moderate usage. The pay-as-you-go pricing is excellent if you make occasional calls and use small amounts of data, but for heavy users a fixed bundle will work out cheaper. Customer service is online and over the phone, with no physical stores.
Best for: Light users who want EE coverage at the lowest possible cost, occasional-use second SIMs, or anyone who values true pay-as-you-go pricing without a monthly minimum.
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EcoTalk
EcoTalk is a small EE-based MVNO with an environmental angle: the network commits 100% of its profits to nature conservation, funding the purchase and management of land for rewilding and biodiversity projects across the UK. EcoTalk was founded in 2018 by Dale Vince, the entrepreneur behind green energy company Ecotricity, and the wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham serves as Chief Ecologist. Plans are pitched at customers who want their mobile spend to support an environmental cause rather than buy network extras.
The network offers 30-day rolling SIM-only plans on EE coverage, with 5G access on supported handsets. EcoTalk does not currently support eSIM. EU roaming is offered on a paid basis at £2 per day with a 2.5GB monthly data cap, which is less generous than most EE MVNOs. EcoTalk has committed to no annual price rises, so the headline rate you sign up for is what you continue to pay.
Customer service is UK-based, with phone support Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm and no chatbots. There is no mobile app and limited self-service through the online portal. The network is unlikely to be the right fit if you are purely chasing the lowest monthly cost or need extras like eSIM and generous roaming, but the donation model is genuine and transparent.
Best for: Customers who want EE coverage and are willing to accept paid EU roaming and physical-SIM-only limitations in exchange for funding UK conservation work.
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Grade Mobile
Grade Mobile is a value-focused EE MVNO offering SIM-only plans on EE coverage with a particular focus on simple, low-cost pricing. The network keeps its plan range small and avoids the complex pricing tiers that some larger networks use, which makes it straightforward to pick the right plan if you know roughly how much data you need.
5G is supported, and EU roaming is included on plans within a fair usage allowance. Plans run on 30-day rolling, 12-month, or 24-month terms. Grade Mobile has not been on the market as long as some of the bigger EE MVNOs, but the underlying coverage is EE's, so there is no difference in signal strength or 5G availability.
Customer service is handled online and over the phone. There is no physical store network.
Best for: Cost-conscious customers who want a simple SIM-only plan on EE coverage and do not need extras like data rollover or international calling.
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Lycamobile
Lycamobile is the most established EE MVNO covered in this guide and runs SIM-only plans on 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month terms. The network moved to EE from O2 in June 2023, so all SIMs bought since then have used EE infrastructure. Lycamobile is best known for its strong international calling rates, with bundled minutes to many countries included as standard on most plans.
5G is supported on EE coverage. EU roaming is included on all SIM-only plans within a fair usage allowance, generally 12GB on most plans and up to 35GB on unlimited plans. Note that some countries you might expect to be included in EU roaming are not, including Switzerland, Monaco, and Turkey, so it is worth checking the Lycamobile roaming list before travelling. Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling are not currently supported on Lycamobile, which is worth knowing if you spend time in areas with weak mobile signal indoors. Lycamobile has committed to no mid-contract price rises on its current plans, which is rare for a network offering 12 and 24-month contracts.
No credit check is required on SIM-only plans, and eSIM is supported. Customer service is handled through online chat, phone, email, and a network of physical retail locations across the UK.
Best for: Customers who make regular international calls, anyone who wants no mid-contract price rises on a longer-term SIM plan, and those who prefer to have access to in-person customer service.
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Mozillion
Mozillion is a refurbished phone retailer that also offers SIM-only plans on EE's network. The proposition is unusual: it pairs refurbished handsets with SIM plans for customers who want a complete setup at a lower cost than buying new from EE direct. The SIM-only plans can also be taken on their own without a handset purchase.
5G is supported on EE coverage, and EU roaming is included on plans within a fair usage allowance. Plans are typically 30-day rolling, which makes Mozillion a good option if you want flexibility alongside a refurbished phone purchase.
Mozillion's pricing is competitive rather than the absolute lowest on EE coverage, but the combination of a refurbished handset and a SIM-only plan can work out significantly cheaper overall than a new handset contract from a major network.
Best for: Customers buying a refurbished phone who want a SIM plan to go with it, or anyone who likes the flexibility of a 30-day plan on EE coverage with a single supplier.
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ParentShield
ParentShield is a specialist EE MVNO built specifically for children's mobile phones and other safeguarding use cases. The network is fundamentally different from a standard mobile plan: every call and text is recorded and stored in a secure online portal for parental review, premium-rate numbers, charity donations, and any form of paid third-party content are permanently blocked at the network level, and parents can set time controls that disable the phone outside agreed hours, with exceptions only for emergency services and designated "home numbers".
The network offers two SIM types. The standard "Safe Stage" SIM uses EE coverage exclusively. The "Roam Stage" SIM connects to all four UK networks (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone), automatically selecting the strongest signal in any location, which is useful in areas of weak EE signal. Both come with the same safeguarding controls. EU roaming is supported but requires advance arrangement, with a small charge depending on destination, by design to prevent unexpected bills.
ParentShield plans are 30-day rolling SIM-only with prices from £5.99 per month. Pay As You Go is also available. The network does not chase the lowest headline price, because its target customer is parents who want monitoring and protection features that no mainstream MVNO offers. ParentShield also has its own porting rules that differ from a standard network: PAC requests cannot be sent by SMS from a ParentShield SIM, and PAC codes are only issued after 12 months of paid subscription. This is by design to prevent children from porting away without parental knowledge. If you want a child-safe SIM on EE's coverage, our best SIM-only deals for kids guide covers child-safety options across networks in more detail.
Best for: Parents giving a child their first phone, customers managing a phone for a vulnerable adult, or anyone who needs monitoring and spend-cap controls that standard MVNOs do not offer.
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Spusu
Spusu is an Austrian-owned MVNO that launched in the UK in June 2023 and runs on EE coverage. The network has built a reputation for transparent pricing and consistently low rates, with all plans available on 30-day rolling contracts only. There are no longer-term contracts, so the question of mid-contract price rises does not apply. Spusu has also committed to keeping prices fixed for existing customers, with no annual price rises factored into plans currently on offer.
5G is included on all plans at no extra cost, and the network supports eSIMs and tethering. EU roaming is included on all plans within a fair usage allowance, and most plans also include 500 international minutes from the UK to EU countries as standard. There is no credit check on any plan. Spusu does not currently offer data rollover.
Spusu's pricing is consistently among the lowest available on EE coverage, particularly at the low to mid data tiers, with plans starting from £3.90 per month. Customer service is handled online and through a UK-based support team. There are no physical stores. For a deeper look at how Spusu compares against other low-cost MVNOs, see our Spusu review.
Best for: Cost-conscious customers who want EE coverage with no annual price rises, inclusive EU calling, and the flexibility of a 30-day rolling plan with no credit check.
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How EE coverage compares
EE has been independently ranked the UK's most reliable mobile network for 11 consecutive years in the umlaut/connect Mobile Network Test, most recently in 2026. EE achieves around 99% 4G population coverage and continues to lead UK 5G performance: the RootMetrics first-half 2025 UK RootScore Report recorded median 5G download speeds of 241 Mbps on EE, the highest of any UK network in that test cycle.
5G geographic coverage by network in Ofcom's Connected Nations 2025 report places EE first at 42% to 49% of UK landmass, ahead of O2 at 29% to 40%, Three at 10% to 23%, and Vodafone at 9% to 17%. The practical effect for an EE MVNO customer is that you get the same underlying network performance as someone paying EE directly, often at significantly lower monthly cost.
How to choose between EE's MVNOs
EE itself does not currently sell through comparison sites, so SIM Only Finder cannot list EE deals directly. The seven MVNOs above are the practical route to EE coverage. EE's own SIM-only pricing is generally higher than its MVNOs, and customers who joined an EE SIM-only plan on or after 31 July 2025 face an annual price rise of £2.50 per month from 31 March 2026, with smaller rises applying to customers who joined between April 2024 and July 2025.
If your priority is lowest cost on a longer commitment, Spusu and 1pMobile are the strongest options. If you make regular international calls, Lycamobile is the obvious choice. If you need child-safety features, ParentShield is the only specialist option on this list. If you want a refurbished phone bundled with a SIM, Mozillion offers a combined route. EcoTalk is the right choice if the donation-to-conservation model genuinely matters to you. Grade Mobile is a simple, low-cost option without specialist features.
Coverage is identical across all eight options, including EE itself, so the choice comes down to contract terms, extras, and price. For details on how each network's price rise terms compare across the wider market, see our guide to SIM-only mid-contract price rises.
Conclusion
The seven MVNOs running on EE's network in May 2026 are 1pMobile, EcoTalk, Grade Mobile, Lycamobile, Mozillion, ParentShield, and Spusu. All seven offer the same 4G and 5G coverage as EE itself, with different contract terms, roaming policies, and pricing. Spusu and 1pMobile are the cheapest. Lycamobile is the best for international calling. ParentShield is the only child-safety specialist. EcoTalk donates 100% of profits to UK nature conservation. For details on how each one's price rise terms compare, see our guide to mid-contract price rises.
How to switch to an EE-based network
To switch from your current network to any of the seven EE MVNOs while keeping your existing phone number, you need a PAC code from your current provider. Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to transfer and your network will reply with the code within a minute. The code is valid for 30 days. Give it to your new network when you sign up, and your number will transfer within one working day. For network-specific switching steps, see our switching guides for 1pMobile, Grade Mobile, Lycamobile, Mozillion, and Spusu. ParentShield and EcoTalk have their own porting processes: contact each network directly for details on transferring a number to or from them.
If you do not need to keep your number, you can simply order a new SIM from the network of your choice and start using it straight away.
Editorial policy
This guide is produced by the SIM Only Finder editorial team to help readers compare the MVNOs running on EE's network across UK networks. Network terms, pricing, and feature availability are checked regularly and updated to reflect current offers. Always confirm current terms directly with the network before signing up.
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