TalkMobile is a budget mobile network in the UK, running on Vodafone’s network. It was launched by Carphone Warehouse in 2007 and later bought by Vodafone in 2011. Today TalkMobile is owned by Vodafone, but it’s run as a distinct low-cost brand. TalkMobile offers 30-day and 12-month SIM-only plans (no paid-up phones, mostly). All plans include unlimited UK calls and texts, and EU roaming is included up to 5 GB per month. TalkMobile SIM-only contracts range from a few pounds up to the teens for very large data bundles, making them among the cheapest on the Vodafone network.
TalkMobile reviews on sites like Trustpilot and in survey panels are generally positive. On Trustpilot, it holds about 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 12,000 reviewers. Reviewers praise its value for money, reliable coverage and responsive service. For example, Which? magazine found customers say TalkMobile is “very affordable and offer good customer service.” TalkMobile has even won awards for customer experience and reliability in recent years. In short, most TalkMobile customers report getting a basic but reliable service for a very low price.
Below we cover the network quality, plan options, and what customers say – in other words, a full TalkMobile network review with pros, cons and user feedback. We’ll also answer common questions (like “Is TalkMobile closing down?”).
TalkMobile Network Review: Coverage & Performance
TalkMobile uses Vodafone’s infrastructure, so its 4G and 5G coverage mirrors Vodafone’s. In practice this means excellent UK coverage – over 99% of the population can get 4G or better. (Vodafone itself is a top network for coverage.) In fact, Simsherpa’s tests found TalkMobile’s 4G/5G coverage and speeds to be “completely identical” to Vodafone’s. Users report clear signals in towns and cities, and even rural 4G tends to be strong on Vodafone. Our sources note TalkMobile’s coverage rating as 4/5 (very good).
TalkMobile even boasts some of Vodafone’s faster technologies. It offers 4G LTE and 5G data in areas where Vodafone does. (Vodafone’s 5G rollout is still catching up behind others like EE and Three, but it’s growing.) In addition, TalkMobile now automatically accesses both Vodafone and Three networks for even better coverage – a new advantage not widely known. In practice, that means if you’re in an area where Vodafone is weak but Three is strong (or vice versa), TalkMobile should still connect you. TalkMobile also supports VoLTE (4G calls) and Wi-Fi calling on compatible phones, though Wi-Fi calling on Android has had some hiccups as of early 2025.
Speed-wise, TalkMobile is on par with Vodafone. Recent tests show Vodafone’s median 4G download speed around 29 Mbit/s nationwide. This is decent – fast enough for web browsing, streaming music and many video streams. In practice, nearly three-quarters of TalkMobile users often report having enough speed for browsing, and about half say they often have fast speeds for video. For most uses (social media, YouTube, conferencing), TalkMobile is “good enough.” The downsides: Vodafone/Three’s 5G is not the fastest compared to EE or Three’s own plans, so TalkMobile’s 5G can feel just “average” by those standards. Also, 3G is phased out, so an old 3G-only phone won’t work – but any recent device with 4G/5G will.
In summary, a TalkMobile network review is very positive: it has almost the same signal reach and reliability as the main Vodafone network. TalkMobile customers enjoy the same covered areas (4G/5G) that Vodafone customers do. Across surveys, 81–87% of TalkMobile users say they’re satisfied with coverage, signal and value. The network is reliable: Simsherpa even gave TalkMobile a “Highly Commended” reliability award, and 81.6% of users said their signal was strong enough. You can feel confident that TalkMobile will keep you connected nearly everywhere Vodafone goes.
TalkMobile SIM-Only Plans and Deals
TalkMobile sells SIM-only plans. That means you buy a TalkMobile SIM card and use your own phone; TalkMobile does not focus on handset contracts. They offer two contract lengths: 30-day rolling plans (you can cancel any month) and 12-month plans (often cheaper per month). All include unlimited UK calls and texts, plus a data allowance you choose.
TalkMobile’s strength is big data allowances for low prices. For example, it often undercuts even Vodafone-owned rivals (like Voxi) and other cheap networks on data. A recent review notes “Talkmobile often undercuts Voxi and its rivals, such as Giffgaff or Smarty, with packages that give you 30 GB of data or more at a surprisingly low monthly cost.”. Indeed, deals are very price-competitive. As of 2025, TalkMobile’s hidden one-month deals include plans like 30 GB for £6.95, 50 GB for £7.95, 80 GB for £8.95, all the way up to unlimited data for £16.95 per month. (These “hidden” offers aren’t always shown on the main site – they pop up on affiliate deal sites.) Even on 12-month contracts, TalkMobile sells big bundles: for example, a 60 GB plan can be as low as £9.95/month on a yearly plan. In short, for data-heavy users, TalkMobile is one of the cheapest ways to get a lot of data.
TalkMobile plans include extras too. They allow unlimited tethering (using your data as a hotspot) with no extra charge. Recent updates even added eSIM support, so you can activate new plans without a physical SIM if your phone supports it. EU roaming used to be included on all plans (with a 5 GB fair-use limit). (Note: TalkMobile advertises free roaming in 47 European countries, subject to 5 GB fair use.)
However, there are no built-in extras like data rollover or “free social media”. As one review says, TalkMobile “doesn’t offer any rewards, incentives or complicated contracts. It will provide data, calls and texts cheaply and generally efficiently, but little else.”. So if you want monthly perks or loyalty apps, TalkMobile doesn’t have those. Also, TalkMobile is SIM-only only – if you need a phone contract (or latest handset), you’d look elsewhere. (A few pay-monthly deals exist, but they are limited and normally not as good value.)
In practice, TalkMobile is ideal for someone who already has a phone and wants lots of data on Vodafone’s network for cheap. Hidden deals aside, even on TalkMobile’s own website you’ll find data offers like 40 GB for £9.95, 120 GB for £12, 200 GB for £15 (12-month). That 200 GB at £15 is especially good value, offering more data for the money than many competitors. For lighter users, TalkMobile also has small plans (6 GB for £6.95 on 12-month).
Overall, TalkMobile plans get strong TalkMobile sim only reviews in terms of price. It is one of the cheapest providers for raw data on a major network. For example, TechRadar’s Martin Lewis deal list highlights a TalkMobile deal: “60GB data, unlimited calls and texts, £9.95 per month, 12-month contract… an instant win”.
TalkMobile Pros and Cons
Pros:
– Great value data plans. TalkMobile often has the lowest prices for high data. For example, one reviewer notes it offers “great deals on 30GB or more”, beating many rivals. Huge data bundles (100–200GB) at £12–£15 are a standout.
– Excellent coverage. Since it uses Vodafone’s network (and now Three’s too), coverage is nationwide. It covers 99%+ of the UK, and you get Vodafone’s 4G/5G speeds.
– Unlimited calls/texts on all plans. No extra charges for basic UK use.
– Free EU Roaming. Plans include travel in the EU (47 countries) at no extra charge (up to a 5 GB fair-use cap). This is more generous than Vodafone itself offers.
– Award-winning service. TalkMobile has won UK customer care awards and gets praise for helpful support. Even though the support team is not UK-based, they are described as “friendly and helpful” with good English. On Trustpilot, reviewers highlight prompt, patient help and “fast response to any questions”.
Cons:
– Fair-use limits on roaming. The free EU roaming is capped at 5 GB/month. If you need more, you’d pay extra (or buy a roaming pass). Outside the EU, pay-as-you-go rates apply (e.g. ~10p/MB data, £1/min for calls).
– Limited extras. There are no data rollover, rewards apps or bonuses. If you look for perks like free streaming data or loyalty points, TalkMobile doesn’t have them. You get straightforward plans only.
– No physical stores. TalkMobile is online-only. This keeps costs low but means no in-store help. However, they do have phone/webchat support.
– Basic account features. The online account portal and app are simple. Simsherpa notes it’s “a bit basic”. Also, TalkMobile only recently added eSIM and has had some limits on Android Wi-Fi calling.
– No phone deals. TalkMobile hardly does handsets on contract. If you need a phone bundled, you’d look at other networks. (Competitors like Tesco Mobile or iD Mobile would serve you better if you wanted a cheap handset..)
– Price hikes (past issue). In the past, some TalkMobile 12-month contracts could have annual price rises. (However, as of late 2024 they stopped these hikes.)
In summary, the TalkMobile Pros and Cons show it’s a no-frills, budget service. The pros focus on price and coverage, while the cons are about missing bells and whistles. For many users that trade-off is fine if the main goal is cheap data on a big network.
Customer Feedback: Trustpilot, Reddit and Forums
Customers and reviewers generally give TalkMobile high marks. On Trustpilot, it has an Excellent rating of about 4.7/5 from over 12,000 reviews. The review summary says customers “consistently praise the company’s service”, noting prompt, polite support and “excellent value for their money”. Many Trustpilot users specifically highlight how much data they get for their pounds. For example, one 5-star reviewer wrote: “TM are really good value, can take your allowance roaming, and the chat helpdesk folk are always responsive, friendly and helpful.” (Trustpilot, verified purchase).
On forums like MoneySavingExpert, users likewise report TalkMobile as a way to slash bills. One user noted switching to TalkMobile made their plan “three times less expensive” than Vodafone’s while on the same network. (Carrying exactly the same coverage for a fraction of the price is a common comment.) On Reddit and other discussion boards, many people say TalkMobile works fine for them. One AskUK thread reports that people get signal on TalkMobile even when their friend (on a different network) does not. Some users do mention isolated issues – occasionally voice calls can glitch if your phone lacks 4G fallback, or an Android Wi-Fi calling problem – but these seem rare.
Even Martin Lewis’ readers have discussed TalkMobile deals. (Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert site often links to cheap SIM-only plans.) For instance, a TechRadar article about Martin Lewis-endorsed tips highlights a TalkMobile 60 GB plan for £9.95 as “an instant win” under £10. In short, personal reviews (“reviews of TalkMobile”) on Trustpilot and forums lean positive on price and coverage. Negative comments, when they occur, tend to be about minor technical quirks or lack of nice-to-have features. But the prevailing feedback is: TalkMobile is cheap, does what it should, and “gets the job done” in a friendly way.
For Trustpilot-specific questions: TalkMobile’s Trustpilot profile shows that users can call customer service for free (from their TalkMobile phone) and find helpful staff. The company emphasizes this on Trustpilot. A transparent FAQ even points out it owns awards for customer care (Overall Customer Experience 2023). So if you read TalkMobile reviews on Trustpilot, you’ll see most say “no issues, easy sign-up, works as advertised.”
To address the keyword “TalkMobile reviews reddit”, we note that Reddit threads often mirror these sentiments. One talkmobile subscriber on r/UKPersonalFinance wrote that TalkMobile’s £7.95 deal for 50 GB saved them loads compared to bigger brands. In general, Reddit users on budget network threads say TalkMobile gives good coverage and value – though a few caution “check if your phone supports Wi-Fi calling on TalkMobile” or similar. Overall, both forum and Trustpilot reviews form a positive consensus: TalkMobile is solid for the price.
TalkMobile, Martin Lewis, and Smart Deals
Financial guru Martin Lewis often urges people to ditch expensive contracts and go SIM-only. TalkMobile is a network he effectively endorses by example. For example, MoneySavingExpert points out a TalkMobile deal: “60GB data, unlimited calls and texts, £9.95 per month, 12-month contract.” The commentary notes that getting 60GB for under £10 on a Vodafone network is impressive. This kind of promotion – plus its low basic prices – is why many Martin Lewis readers have asked about TalkMobile.
In fact, TalkMobile is often bundled into “under £10 SIM-only” guides. Tech sites note that during price hikes elsewhere, TalkMobile’s fixed low rates help savers. Martin Lewis’ community discussions highlight TalkMobile (and Vodafone sub-brands generally) as ways to avoid overpaying. So, under the heading TalkMobile reviews Martin Lewis, we can say: TalkMobile gets a nod in money-saving circles for its cheap deals. It’s cited as an example of a network where you can get gigabytes of data without a big bill.
TalkMobile vs Other Networks
How does TalkMobile stack up against rivals? Since it uses Vodafone’s radio network, you get slightly slower 5G and fewer extras than networks like EE or O2. But you pay far less. Competitors on other networks include giffgaff (O2), Smarty (Three), iD Mobile (Three), Lebara (Vodafone as well), Tesco Mobile (O2), etc. Among these, TalkMobile is usually the cheapest for big data. For instance, TalkMobile might offer 200 GB for £15; Giffgaff or Smarty would charge more for that data.
Compared to its siblings: Vodafone’s own low-cost sub-brand Voxi is similar but slightly more expensive and focuses on social media perks, whereas TalkMobile is pure data at minimal price. Lebara (another Vodafone MVNO) includes international minutes but has smaller data bundles. Asda Mobile (Vodafone MVNO sold via Walmart) is decent but not as cheap as TalkMobile. The takeaway: on the Vodafone network, TalkMobile is often our “favourite” for low cost. As one expert guide puts it, “talkmobile is our favourite [budget provider], as they offer some of the lowest costs of all UK networks, EU roaming and identical signal/speeds to Vodafone”.
Of course, if you prefer a different network, alternatives exist: giffgaff (O2) has excellent community support and modular plans; Smarty (Three) is also very cheap but uses Three’s coverage (which has huge 5G but patchier 4G outdoors). TalkMobile’s advantage is really combining Vodafone’s coverage with rock-bottom prices.
In short, TalkMobile isn’t for someone seeking premium features. It’s aimed at the cost-conscious user who values data and coverage above all. In that niche, it beats many competitors. Its main rival on Vodafone’s network is Voxi, but Voxi’s extras cost more. Other super-cheap brands (like iD Mobile on Three) sometimes have newer features, but TalkMobile usually gives more raw data per pound than they do.
Is TalkMobile Closing Down?
A common question is whether TalkMobile might shut down (especially since its parent Vodafone has closed some brands). The answer is no – there are no plans to close it. In fact, TalkMobile even stopped taking new sign-ups for a short time during its sale, but it has “been taking new customers for a few years now and we can’t see them closing down any time soon.”. TalkMobile is firmly owned by Vodafone and has been relaunched as an active budget brand. So any rumors of a shutdown are unfounded. TalkMobile customers have no need to worry; the company claims a strong market niche and is actively offering new SIMs. (In case of change, talkmobile.co.uk and Vodafone statements would clarify it.)
Conclusion
Overall, TalkMobile reviews speak highly of this network’s value and coverage. It delivers Vodafone-level service – wide 4G/5G reach with 99% population coverage – but at very low prices. The trade-off is a basic feature set: you get the essentials (unlimited calls/texts, data, some roaming) without the bells and whistles or loyalty perks. But for many users that’s fine. We found that experts and users alike rate TalkMobile as a top pick on the Vodafone network.
In short, our TalkMobile review shows it’s a friendly, no-frills SIM-only network with excellent coverage and great deals, especially if you need lots of data. Its pros are low cost and reliability; its cons are mainly that it’s very basic. For those looking to save money on their mobile plan, especially after hearing Martin Lewis’s advice, TalkMobile is definitely worth considering.
TalkMobile reviews consistently highlight the cheap plans and strong signal, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious customers.