Consumer group Which? has highlighted a simple 'piggybacking' trick that could cut mobile phone bills. The approach involves switching to a smaller provider that uses the infrastructure of a major network, potentially offering cheaper deals while maintaining similar signal quality.
How piggybacking works
Which? advises checking which network offers the best coverage in your area, then looking for smaller providers that 'piggyback' on that network. The group explains: "Once you’ve worked out which network offers the best quality in your area, check which smaller providers ‘piggyback’ on that network’s infrastructure."
According to Which?, you'll usually find a cheaper deal than with the bigger networks. Opensignal, an independent mobile network analytics firm, has found that signal quality from piggybacking providers is "almost always indistinguishable" from the parent network.
Examples of piggybacking providers
Which? gives examples: if O2 is strongest in your area, you could switch to Giffgaff; if EE is best, consider 1p Mobile; or choose Lebara if Vodafone provides the best coverage.
The group lists how networks link up:
- Three: Honest Mobile, iD Mobile, Smarty
- Vodafone: Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, Voxi
- O2: Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile
- EE: 1p Mobile, BT Mobile, Lycamobile, Spusu, Utility Warehouse
Tips for switching
Which? suggests trying a one-month SIM-only deal to test coverage without being tied down, as a 24-month contract could leave you stuck with poor signal.
Customers are reminded of their legal right to a 14-day cooling-off period when purchasing or upgrading a contract online, by phone, or by mail, allowing them to exit without penalty. This does not apply to in-store purchases, though some networks may honour it as a goodwill gesture.
Which? also advises checking for an acceptable network coverage guarantee in contracts, which may allow cancellation if signal is regularly unavailable, but notes not all networks include these terms.
