Key points

O2 Refresh breaks your bill into two. One for your phone, one for your minutes, texts and data
Pick from a wide range of bolt-ons if you run out of data, minutes or texts. No need to miss a moment
From gig tickets to lunch deals, O2 rewards loyal customers with exclusive offers through its Priority scheme
With O2’s 12 and 24-month SIM-only plans, you can use your UK allowance (up to 25GB) across its Europe Zone at no extra cost
O2’s network reaches 99% of the UK with 3G and 4G, and its 5G service is expanding fast across major towns and cities

What is O2?

O2 is a major UK mobile network, originally launched by BT Cellnet in 2002 and now owned by Spanish telecoms giant Telefónica. It also owns giffgaff, another popular mobile provider.

O2’s name is tied to big experiences. It's a headline sponsor of major venues like The O2 in London and Twickenham Stadium, as well as the England rugby team.

Why compare O2 mobile phone deals?

O2 offers strong network coverage. Its 4G reaches 99% of the UK population, with growing 5G access in towns and cities nationwide.

Other benefits include O2 member perks, including:

O2 Custom Plans - Choose how much you pay upfront, your contract length, and your data allowance
O2 Priority Scheme - Daily offers, early ticket access, and exclusive experiences for O2 customers
O2 Refresh - Split your bill into device and airtime. Once your phone’s paid off, your bill drops automatically
O2 Recycle - Trade in your old device for cash
Bolt-ons - Top up your minutes, texts or data if you run out
O2 Family - Save 10–40% on airtime when you add eligible family members
Live event extras - Priority queues, lounges, discounts and cloakrooms at O2 venues and Twickenham
Volt benefits - Pair O2 with Virgin Media broadband to double your mobile data and broadband speed at no extra cost
Refer a friend - Earn rewards like Amazon vouchers when you refer someone new

Perks are great, but price and coverage matter most. Compare across providers and always check the small print before signing up.

Mobile phone contracts

Get the latest phones on contract with O2, including iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and more. All on flexible monthly plans to suit your budget.

Whether you're after the newest iPhone or a great-value Android, O2 offers a wide choice of pay monthly deals across top brands, including:

Pay as you go phones

O2’s PAYG phones are ideal if you don’t use your phone much but still want to stay connected. Even top models like the iPhone 15 are available on PAYG, giving you flexibility without a long-term contract.

Pay as you go rates

Already have a phone? O2’s PAYG SIMs let you pay only for what you use. You can top up and grab a Big Bundle with data rollover, 4G, and unlimited calls and texts. You’ll also still get access to O2 Priority and Rewards.

Pay monthly SIM

O2’s pay monthly SIM-only deals offer contract benefits without the phone cost. These can be a money-saver if you already have a device. Just keep an eye on data limits if you stream or game regularly.

Upfront costs or set-up fees

O2 SIMs are free, with no setup fees - just insert and go. If it doesn’t work right away, try a quick restart.

Data rollover

Any unused data can roll over for up to two months. For example, if you’re on a 5GB plan, you could carry up to 10GB in total.

Tariffs

O2 offers a range of SIM-only deals. Choose from SIM-only, Pay Monthly (18–24 months), or classic PAYG. PAYG rates start from 35p per minute and 12p per text, but bolt-ons can boost your allowance.

Wi-Fi calling

No signal? No problem. O2’s Wi-Fi calling lets you stay connected even when mobile reception is patchy.

Tethering policy

Use your phone as a hotspot to connect other devices, but be mindful, tethering can burn through data fast. PAYG iPhone users may need to update iOS to enable it.

Discover more

Still not sure? Take a look at our other network guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need to sign a contract?

Not always. O2 has rolling SIM only plans you can cancel any time or fixed-term contracts if you’re after a 12, 24, or 36-month deal.

Does O2 only do 36-month contracts?

No, that's not your only option. 36 months is the max, but O2 also offers 12- and 24-month SIM only contracts if you’d prefer something shorter.

Is O2 connected with Virgin Media?

Yes, O2 and Virgin Media merged in 2021. Virgin customers now benefit from O2’s wide UK network coverage.

Kate Griffin

Managing Editor for Broadband and Energy

Last updated: 21 July 2025

4 mins read