@Amor Vincit Omnia - like you Steve, I'm with EE for my mobile.

I'm currently on a 2 year contract which, as with my previous contract and similar to @iain is a Device + Plan contract.

It makes it a lot easier to see what you're paying (and how expensive a phone can be). Having it this way also makes it easy to compare costs at the end of the term especially if you're considering going SIM only.

I have an EE Essentials Plan with a 25GB data allowance that includes Add Ons of Full Roaming, WiFi CoverageBoost & Roam in EU; there's also bonuses of a Double Data Reward i.e. doubled up to 50GB, and an EE & BT Discount as I have a Broadband/Landline with BT. The data is quite high as I use my phone for Navigation via Google maps in the car, and streaming on Spotify.

With this package, when going abroad within the EU, I get my normal minutes/text/data seamlessly and at no extra cost.

One of the benefits I use quite a lot when out and about is WiFi that picks up an EE/BT WiFi network and allows me to login at no cost.

A cautionary tale on switching networks.

When I got my current contract I had hoped to get a specific phone that wasn't available on EE and tried to switch to O2, hoping also to get the benefit of having a Virgin broadband contract (yes; I have 2 broadband connections at home). For whatever reason O2 decided my Credit Profile 'didn't meet their customer needs/requirements' and declined me! I therefore opted to stick with EE and get a different phone; a move I'm glad I made as I'm happy with EE and my current phone.

I hope this helps.

Guy

Hi Steve

Just to echo an earlier reply, this is dependent on your phone being Sim Free. I believe they all are now, but I'm not sure how far back that goes.
I changed from Vodafone to Talk mobile when my contract expired, done in the Vodafone shop.
They are part of the Vodafone group and use the network along with the 3 Network, so I've not had any issues with connections.
It's £9.99 a month and I'm only tied in for 1 month.
I didn't find out about any roaming charges etc, as this suits my usage.
Good luck Steve

Have a look at Martin Lewis' MSE site...there are usually some good deals on Lebara for around £5 per month with unlimited calls and texts as well as 5gb for data The call allowance includes some European roaming.Lebara uses the Vodafone network but is much cheaper and you can get to speak to someone,unlike Vodafone.

I've been SIM only for a fair few years now as don't see the need for a new phone every year or 2.

I'm with Sky Mobile (uses O2 network) on a 12 month contract that I negotiate to keep cheap every renewal time. If you have anything else with Sky you get better deals too. I don't have anything any more but still get access to Sky VIP where you can win sports tickets, prizes etc. They also roll over unused data for a few years I think which comes in handy when my wife tethers to mine when abroad so we don't pay the roaming fee for each of us.

I have to pay £2 a day for roaming in the EU (not been further afield and although Channel Islands and Isle of Man need roaming on, they don't incur a charge) but that charge allows me network access and full use of my data and minutes allowance.

If you have access to WiFi when abroad just stick to using that, some operators do calls over WiFi as well so no need for network/roaming/charges.

GiffGaff sim only deals; ranging from pay as you go through rolling monthly to 18 month contracts.

You obviously get more data the higher the commitment you make but the rolling monthly deal is a good balance with the ability to walk away at any time.

https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals

You can use up to 5Gb of your allowance whilst roaming abroad which is probably more than enough for most 1-2 week trips if used sensibly in conjunction with local WiFi provision. I don’t even think about travel now. You just get a bonjour/hola welcome to our network message and then carry on as normal.

I’ve used them for probably 10 years now and can’t imagine moving anywhere else.

I use Talkmobile. £5.99/month. 10gb data, unlimited minutes and texts. SIM only, using a handset I had on a previous contract.

Free EU roaming (some Data limits, but more than I need on a daily basis).

30 day rolling contract.

Uses the Vodafone network, so good coverage in Europe.

Outside of EU, I use an eSIM,which is straightforward and cost effective For example, I’ve just been in the US for 3 weeks, and the eSIM was £10.

I switched to SIM only (BT, so discounted with broadband) a few years ago after twenty years on a contract. Wouldn’t go back! Contract was good in terms of spreading payments (but ultimately paying more) when I maybe didn’t want a big outlay for a new phone and in that period when advances were quite big every couple of years there was more of a benefit to an upgrade. Have to say I don’t feel like I’m missing out by not getting a new phone every two years now and since switching I changed after about four years and shopped around for a good deal.

Post-Brexit travel costs are annoying though I still get to use my UK plan in Europe at no extra cost. Rest of world used to have better deals too and until a few years ago I paid a little extra each month on a contract to get free roaming in many places (north America being most useful). The norm now seems to be £6 a day or more!

However, I have started using and would recommend considering companies offering e-sims for travel. I use one (Airalo) and can buy a local e-sim via an app for various durations and data. Just download it to my phone and switch to it when overseas, for example recent trips I’ve paid around £4 for a sim valid for seven days with 1GB of data (more than I need!). Not had any issues and used five or six times in the past six months.

I'd echo @PGR101's comment that, if you can save on your UK SIM-only plan by removing any roaming, you can then just get an e-SIM as and when you need it for travel. I haven't used it personally but others I know recommend Roamless as an option.

I did exactly what you are suggesting with EE but at the end of the contract I called them and asked for my PAC as I was leaving. Told them I was going to O2 as they offered a good rate and it included free roaming. They bent over backwards with discounts and threw in free roaming to the EU. For the last two years I've paid about £12 a month for 60gb of data which I never use and free roaming. I may never leave it as I can't imagine getting this good a deal again. But worth a try as if you catch them right you can get some good deals.

I've also used eSIMs in the USA and Asia, they do work well and can be cost effective, but getting the settings right can be a bit tricky, but all good once you've figured it out.