Honest Mobile

Honest Mobile, British mobile operator with SIM-only plans

Honest Mobile is a UK mobile phone operator that sells SIM-only plans and positions itself as an alternative to the major national networks. The company targets users looking for more reliable coverage and cheaper roaming rates, and claims to have more than 100,000 customers.

Smart SIM: backup eSIM with multi-network coverage

The main product is Smart SIM, a backup eSIM that works alongside the user's main SIM. When the main network loses signal, Smart SIM allows connection to another available UK network. According to the company, the service gives access to all four UK networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.

Smart SIM is designed to keep essential apps running and is offered from £3.75 per month. It includes free roaming in more than 180 countries, with unlimited data for apps such as WhatsApp, Maps or Uber, at no extra cost. The eSIM is activated in minutes.

Classic SIM: 5G and unlimited calls in the UK

Classic SIM is Honest Mobile's main SIM offering. It includes 5G data, unlimited calls and texts in the UK, and a loyalty discount of up to 30% that reduces the bill month by month. Its price starts at £12.15 per month. It also includes five free days of roaming in the European Union per trip.

Awards and investor backing

The company presents itself as one of the highest-rated mobile networks in the UK and shows an "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot. It is also B Corporation certified. On the TV programme Dragons' Den it received investment offers from Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, an episode the company shared via BBC iPlayer.

Origins and sustainability focus

Honest Mobile explains that it was born as a response to practices by the big operators, such as annual price rises, complicated contracts and insufficient action on sustainability. The company states that its carbon footprint is continuously reduced and that it maintains a sustainability standard in its operations. At the time of the analysis, the company indicated that it was in the middle of a crowdfunding round.

Additional services and customer support

In addition to voice and data plans, the catalogue includes data-only plans, family plans and bolt-ons. Customer support is provided via instant chat, email and WhatsApp, with support hours from Monday to Friday 8:00 to 19:00 and weekends 10:00 to 18:00.