iD Mobile is a British mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) known for very cheap pay-monthly and SIM-only plans. It is wholly owned by Currys plc and launched in May 2015. iD Mobile runs on the Three UK network, meaning its 4G and 5G coverage and speeds generally match Three’s. Customers who have used iD Mobile often note the low prices: “cheap price, rollover data and plenty of roaming,” one survey respondent said about iD Mobile. Many iD Mobile reviews praise its affordability and data perks (like data rollover and inclusive roaming), while others compare it favorably to big brands. For example, iD Mobile’s SIM-only plans (from about £6 per month for 4GB data) are much less expensive than equivalent plans on EE, O2 or Vodafone, yet still include unlimited calls/texts and data rollover. (Any unused data simply carries into the next month.) This means iD Mobile offers strong value for money, a fact confirmed by its Which? user survey score (71%, tied 7th of 16 providers).
Despite the low costs, most iD Mobile deals include modern features. All contracts include free roaming in up to 50 destinations at no extra charge, using your UK allowances abroad. 5G access is offered wherever Three provides it, with hundreds of towns now covered. A long-term iD Mobile customer reports download speeds around 132 Mbps on Three’s network. In practice iD Mobile delivers the same signal bars and speed as a Three SIM in the same phone – “signal is great” and data is “132Mbps” fast, one user noted. Our research indicates iD Mobile’s network performs very similarly to Three’s: coverage is 4G reaches about 99.8% of the UK population and 5G is available in hundreds of places (over 487 towns as of 2023). In short, iD Mobile reviews UK customers often say the network and speeds are good for the price, thanks to Three’s infrastructure.
Why is iD Mobile so cheap?
One frequently asked question is “Why is iD Mobile so cheap?” The answer is that iD Mobile is a virtual network operator piggybacking on a larger carrier’s network. It doesn’t build its own cell towers or operate retail stores; instead it uses Three’s 4G/5G network and sells plans mainly online and through partner shops. This allows iD Mobile to keep costs and overhead very low. In fact, being a part of Currys (formerly Carphone Warehouse) means it sells through existing Currys and Carphone stores, sharing resources. Because of these savings, iD Mobile can afford to offer extra allowances (like generous data caps) and perks without raising prices. For example, iD Mobile plans include data rollover and roaming abroad for free – features that used to be charged for by bigger providers. Using a virtual network model is a major reason it can sell cheap contracts: one review notes that being an MVNO lets iD Mobile “provide competitive pricing without compromising on service quality”. In short, iD Mobile’s low price comes from low-cost structure: no stores of its own, no legacy network build, and most of the service done online.
iD Mobile Reviews – Network Coverage and Speed
iD Mobile uses Three’s network for all its coverage. That means wherever Three has a signal, iD Mobile will too. Three’s 4G network currently reaches about 99.8% of the UK population, similar to EE, O2, and Vodafone. For 5G, iD Mobile has access to every 5G mast on Three’s network. This adds hundreds of additional high-speed locations – over 487 areas are covered already. In practice, iD Mobile customers typically report very similar performance to Three customers. Independent testing shows that when a phone supports Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE (4G calling), call quality and data speeds match Three’s network. For example, one user found iD’s 5G was just as fast as Three’s: “iD Mobile’s Three 5G service doesn’t seem to be throttled or deprioritised at all,” a review noted.
Generally, iD Mobile’s speeds are very good – around 100–200 Mbps is common in urban areas. A positive Trustpilot review said their iD SIM on Three achieved “132 Mbps download”. Many iD Mobile reviews confirm that the network is reliable in cities and towns. Of course, coverage can vary by location: some very remote or rural spots still have poor signal on any network. One expert review noted that iD Mobile’s only real drawback is living extremely remote, where even Three’s 4G coverage may struggle. In most of the UK, however, iD Mobile’s reception and speed match what you’d expect from a premium provider. In summary, user reports and tests suggest iD Mobile provides excellent speed and coverage for its price tier.
Plans, Pricing and Perks
Another reason iD Mobile reviews are positive is its flexible plans. iD offers very low-cost SIM-only deals and pay-monthly contracts. SIM-only plans start around £6–£7 per month for a 4GB or similar allowance. Plans jump in tiers (e.g. 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, then unlimited data) and all include unlimited calls and texts. There are one-month rolling plans as well as 12- and 24-month contracts. The cheapest SIM-only is only £6 for 4GB with unlimited minutes/texts; by contrast, a 30GB 24-month plan might run around £8–£9 per month. Crucially, iD Mobile does not impose annual inflation hikes on SIM-only – the price you join at stays the price each month (only handset contracts rise by £1.50 each April). This transparency is valued by cost-conscious users.
On top of low prices, iD Mobile includes some extras and benefits. All plans come with data rollover – any unused data is carried forward to the next month. So customers effectively get two months’ worth of data if they under-use their plan. iD also includes Roam Free allowances: you can use your UK data, minutes and texts in 50 countries (mostly EU and EEA nations) at no extra charge. This is more than most other UK networks offer today. Some deals also include streaming perks – for example, iD often bundles free Apple Music, Arcade and News+ trials, or a few months of Disney+.
MoneySuperMarket’s review sums it up: iD Mobile is “cheap, has flexible SIM deals and its monthly contracts undercut bigger-name rivals,” yet it also offers good coverage and allowances. In fact, they note that compared to premium networks, iD Mobile simply doesn’t skimp on the essentials – you get 5G for no extra cost and full roaming, for example. One survey respondent’s experience echoed this: “I have an iD Mobile SIM as my secondary SIM on Three’s network…my iD SIM gets the exact same connectivity and speeds as my Three SIM (132Mbps download) and I’ve been happy with it,” they reported. Reviews of iD Mobile often highlight that you don’t need to pay for O2/EE prices to get good service – you just pay less.
Customer Service and Support
iD Mobile’s approach to customer support is entirely digital – there are no 24/7 helplines. Like many ultra-budget networks, iD has phased out telephone support. Instead, help is via a live chat (which begins with a chatbot but can reach a human advisor) and extensive online self-service resources. An expert review notes: “Many ultra-cheap MVNOs suffer from poor customer service, but this isn’t the case with iD Mobile” – their live chat answers queries quickly and is generally helpful. That said, you cannot call an iD Mobile rep on the phone for billing or technical issues. If you prefer calling support, iD’s lack of phone lines can be frustrating. The company suggests turning to online chat or its community forum (with 50,000+ members) for help. iD Mobile’s app and website let you manage your account and even cancel plans without phoning up.
Even though iD Mobile does well for a low-cost operator, there have been complaints about support. According to Ofcom data, iD Mobile had about 3 complaints per 100,000 customers – slightly above the industry average of ~2. Trustpilot shows that many one-star reviews cite poor service. For example, one customer wrote that after a stolen phone issue, iD’s agents gave useless advice and charged him unexpectedly – calling the whole experience “extremely unhelpful, poor customer service”. Others on Trustpilot mention issues like billing errors or app glitches and long wait times for chat. In contrast, satisfied customers praise the service being easy to switch to and stay on, as one put it: “A great network. Easy to change over to them. And they keep in contact with you.”. So reviews of iD Mobile show mixed views on support – it’s better than many cheap rivals, but not as hands-on as big providers.
Common Complaints and Reddit Discussions
What do negative id mobile reviews complaints typically say? Many complaints center around network frustrations in specific areas or support issues. Some users in forums and Reddit threads have reported slower speeds or patchy signals in rural areas, reflecting Three’s coverage limitations. Others mention frustrations like complicated mid-contract price changes (though these are generally small) or difficulties with porting numbers. Some Reddit comments have titled iD as a “scam” due to billing misunderstandings, but these often involve unique circumstances (like ordering a refurb phone that wasn’t delivered). It’s important to separate individual cases from the overall picture: while a few users find iD Mobile “so bad”, most criticisms relate to the trade-offs of a discount service (no shops, no call center, variable coverage). For example, one forum member wrote that in their area, iD’s 5G was weak, and they preferred Vodafone’s “great 4G and 5G” signal. However, other users on the same forum reported no problems at all and appreciated the free roaming benefit.
In short, Why is iD Mobile so bad? (some ask) – usually it isn’t inherently bad, but it isn’t perfect. The downsides are exactly what you’d expect from a very cheap provider: less hand-holding, and in fringe locations, slightly weaker signal than EE or Vodafone might give. But many customer reports show the network itself works well. As one long-term user said, “I’ve been on ID for 3 years… no problems with data speed, signal is as good as any other network I’ve been on”. Another customer even switched from giffgaff to iD Mobile and said it “works fine… never seems to travel enough to use all this data!”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most iD Mobile reviews UK highlight value above all. Users who want a cheap, no-frills phone plan with plenty of data often rate iD Mobile highly, noting its strong pricing, inclusive roaming, and generally reliable Three-network service. Common criticisms – higher than average complaint rate, no phone support, and spotty coverage in remote areas – are real, but they come with the low prices. For people willing to deal with chat-based support and rely on Three’s coverage, iD Mobile is widely seen as a great budget choice. Whether iD Mobile is “good” or “bad” often depends on what you need: the user experience will vary by location and personal expectations. Overall, iD Mobile reviews suggest it is a reliable and affordable option for UK mobile users who prioritize cost and data allowances over luxury extras.