UK Mobile Network Providers

There are five mobile phone networks currently operating in the UK: O2, T-mobile, Orange, Vodafone, and most recently '3'.

Vodafone and O2 (formerly BT Cellnet) are the largest and oldest, originally operating analogue (1st generation) networks. These two networks were joined by T-Mobile (formerly One 2 One), swiftly followed by Orange. All of these companies now operate digital (2nd generation) networks.

3 was the first operator to provide 3G (3rd generation) coverage. 3G offers additional data services such as video calling, entertainment and location-based services such as local maps and traffic services.

In addition, there are many 'virtual' networks operating on these major networks, packaged under a different name. For example, Sainsbury's One uses the O2 network, OneTel uses Vodafone, and Virgin uses T-mobile.