ID Mobile is a virtual network that runs on top of Three, and while Three’s download speeds fall behind those of EE and Vodafone, they are improving – especially if you live in a 5G area and have a 5G capable phone. What’s more iD Mobile still doesn’t charge any extra for EU roaming, where other providers have reintroduced charges, and you can now roll over any unused data to your next month’s allowance. Out-of-bundle prices have now risen, so you’re paying 10.24p per MB for data, but you can switch to a new bundle when your old bundle ends or prepay for it beforehand. ID Mobile has some of the best PAYG deals for light data users, starting with a £6 monthly bundle with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of data, or the same bundle with 4GB of data for just £2 more. Struggling to choose the right mobile network for you? Check out our annual Mobile Network Awards to find out who the best provider is, as voted by our readers. Even those sticking to the traditional PAYG model are throwing in some fantastic packages of data, calls and texts, so it always pays to shop around.

Pioneered by Giffgaff and iD Mobile, these are now being taken up by other providers, and competition in the market means that these can give you better value than some low-cost, pay-monthly contracts.

What’s more, old-fashioned PAYG plans are now being added to – or even replaced – by a new breed of flexible, contract-free SIM-only packages. You’re not locked into a contract, you can buy more data if you need it, and you can change or cancel your plan at a moment’s notice without any exit fees or wrangling. If you’re looking for something more flexible, PAYG SIM deals could be just the thing.

Not everyone wants to get tied into a long-term phone or SIM-only contract, particularly if your usage tends to wax and wane through certain months or you’re worried about ongoing costs and potential price rises.

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