Lyca Mobile Review (October 2026): Unlimited Data £9 a Month for 6 Months, but Is Lyca Any Good?

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Is Lyca Mobile any good? As of 26 October 2026, Lyca is one of the cheapest ways to get unlimited data on the EE network: its 24 Month Unlimited plan costs £9 a month for the first 6 months, then £18, which is about £378 over the full contract, and its 24 Month 100GB plan is £6 a month for 6 months, then £12. The trade-off is service. Lyca scored 68% in Which?’s January 2026 customer survey, 13th of 15 providers, and had 3.0 out of 5 from 33,628 reviews on Trustpilot when we checked on 26 October 2026. If you mostly want low prices, EE coverage, EU roaming and international minutes, Lyca is good value; if you want strong customer support, look at Lebara or SMARTY. This SwitchSquid review covers every plan, the real 24-month cost, the network, and how Lyca compares with EE, O2 and Lebara. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay.

Sources: Lyca Mobile pay monthly plans, Lyca Mobile 30-day plans, Which? Lycamobile review (28 July 2026) and Lyca Mobile on Trustpilot, checked on 26 October 2026.

Lyca Mobile at a glance

Lyca Mobile is a virtual network, which means it rents space on another operator’s masts rather than owning its own. In the UK it sells two kinds of plan: 30-day pay as you go bundles with no contract and no credit check, and pay monthly SIM-only contracts of 1, 12 or 24 months, which do need a credit check. When we checked on 26 October 2026, every Lyca plan included unlimited UK minutes and texts (except the smallest 5GB bundle), 100 or more international minutes, EU roaming and Wi-Fi calling.

Lyca’s heritage is cheap calls abroad, and that still shows. If you ring family in India, Pakistan, Poland, Nigeria or Romania, the included international minutes are worth more to you than to most people. If you never call abroad, you are comparing Lyca mainly on data price and service, and that is where it faces tougher rivals.

Lyca Mobile plans and prices (October 2026)

All prices below were checked on Lyca Mobile’s own pages on 26 October 2026. The pay monthly half-price offers are open to new and existing customers buying online, according to each plan’s terms, and Lyca promises no mid-contract price rises on these plans. The 24-month total is the full cost of the contract including the higher price after the discount ends.

What the numbers say: the 24 Month 100GB plan is the sweet spot. It averages £10.50 a month over the contract, while 120GB costs £84 more over two years for 20GB extra a month. Unlimited averages £15.75 a month, which is still cheap for unlimited data on EE’s masts, but check that you actually use more than 100GB before paying the extra £126 over two years. The 30-day plans cost more over time, but they suit anyone who can’t pass a credit check or doesn’t want to be tied in.

Which network does Lyca Mobile use?

Lyca Mobile uses the EE network. Which?’s July 2026 review confirms this, and Lyca moved its UK customers from O2 to EE in 2023 under a partnership with BT Wholesale, which gave Lyca customers access to EE’s 4G and 5G radio network. Lyca’s own help pages say the move did not change customers’ plans or prices.

That means Lyca’s coverage is broadly the same as EE’s where you live and work. When the move was announced in 2023, BT said EE’s 4G covered 99% of the UK population, but no network is best on every street. Before you switch, put your home and work postcodes into a coverage checker and look at indoor 4G and 5G, not just outdoor signal. Our best mobile network guide explains how to compare coverage properly.

Is Lyca as good as EE?

On signal, Lyca and EE are close, because Lyca uses EE’s masts. On service and extras, EE is ahead. In Which?’s January 2026 survey, EE customers gave it a customer score of 74%, against 68% for Lyca. EE also sells phones, has shops and offers more add-ons, but you usually pay more for the same amount of data.

The practical answer: if you want EE coverage for the lowest price and don’t expect to need much help, Lyca is a sensible way to get it. If you want shops, a higher survey score and more support, EE itself is the safer choice. Existing EE customers can read our EE SIM-only deals for existing customers guide first.

Is Lyca better than O2?

In Which?’s January 2026 survey, Lyca (68%) and O2 (67%) sat next to each other near the bottom of the table, with Three last on 65%. The Independent reported that Which? gave Lyca four stars for value for money but two stars in every other area. So the honest comparison is that neither scores well for service, while Lyca is usually much cheaper for the same data.

The bigger difference is the network. O2 runs its own masts; Lyca runs on EE. If O2 is the strongest network where you live, Lyca will not give you O2 coverage any more, so compare the two on your own postcode. If you are with O2 now and want to stay on its masts for less, our O2 SIM-only deals for existing customers guide covers the options.

Lyca vs EE vs O2 vs Lebara

Lyca and Lebara prices were checked on each provider’s own site on 26 October 2026. Which? scores come from its survey of 5,137 mobile customers in January 2026. Lebara’s 30-day plans include 30GB for £10 and 100GB for £20, against 30GB for £10 and 120GB for £20 on Lyca’s 30-day range, and Lebara scores 10 points higher with Which? customers. Read our Lebara review for the detail.

What do Lyca Mobile customers say?

Which? quotes two Lyca customers who sum up the split: one said “They are competitively priced with generous data allowances”, while another complained of “Poor service as a network and zero customer service.” Lyca came 13th of 15 providers in Which?’s survey, ahead of only O2 and Three.

On Trustpilot, Lyca Mobile had a TrustScore of 3.0 out of 5 from 33,628 reviews on 26 October 2026. Trustpilot’s own summary says reviewers praise quick set-up, cheap data and international connectivity, while recent negative reviews focus on payments and renewals. If you choose a 30-day plan, check whether auto-renewal is switched on in the My Lyca Mobile app so you are not charged for a plan you meant to change.

Is Lyca Mobile having problems?

A review page can’t show live outages, so use the official status pages instead. If your Lyca signal drops, restart the phone first: Lyca’s own help page says this fixes most issues linked to its move to EE. Then check Lyca’s help and support page and EE’s service status for your postcode, because a mast problem on EE will affect Lyca customers too.

If problems persist for more than a day or two, contact Lyca and keep a note of dates and times. Under Ofcom rules you can complain to an independent ombudsman if a complaint is not resolved after eight weeks, or sooner if the provider gives you a deadlock letter.

Does Lyca Mobile have good signal?

Lyca’s signal is EE’s signal, and EE has one of the widest 4G and 5G footprints in the UK. Which?’s Lycamobile review points readers to its coverage checker for exactly this reason. The only reliable test is your own postcode, at home and at work.

Lyca says Wi-Fi calling is enabled on its plans, which helps if your indoor signal is weak. 5G is included at no extra cost, but you need a 5G phone and to be in a 5G area to use it.

How to switch to Lyca Mobile and keep your number

1. Check coverage on your home and work postcodes.

2. Text PAC to 65075 on your current network to get a free porting code. Our PAC code guide explains the rules.

3. Order online. The pay monthly offers are online only, and eSIM is available for instant activation.

4. Enter your PAC when you order or activate. Your number usually moves within one working day.

5. Turn off auto-renewal on your old SIM-only plan if it doesn’t end automatically.

For more Lyca prices, including 12-month plans, see our Lyca Mobile SIM-only deals guide for October 2026 and our Lyca Mobile SIM-only deals page.

Fit summary

• Good fit for Lyca: you want EE coverage at a low price, you call abroad, or you want lots of EU roaming data.

• Best plan for most people: 24 Month 100GB at £6 for 6 months, then £12, about £252 over two years.

• Best for no commitment: the 30-day National Plus plan, 30GB for £10 with no credit check.

• Consider Lebara or SMARTY: you value customer service as much as price. See our SMARTY review.

Not sure how much data you use? Squid AI, SwitchSquid’s AI assistant, can suggest a data allowance from how you use your phone.

Important conditions

• Pay monthly plans are 24-month contracts with a credit check; the half price lasts 3 or 6 months depending on the plan, then the full price applies.

• Prices were checked on 26 October 2026 and can change; Lyca says there are no mid-contract price increases on pay monthly plans.

• Unlimited data and unlimited minutes are subject to Lyca’s fair use policy, and EU roaming data is capped per plan.

• 30-day plans renew every 30 days, and you can change or stop the plan at renewal.

• Pay monthly plans are for personal use only.

FAQ

Is Lyca Mobile any good?

Lyca is good value but weaker on service. Its 24 Month Unlimited plan was £9 a month for 6 months, then £18, when we checked on 26 October 2026, and it runs on EE. Which? customers gave it 68%, 13th of 15 providers.

What network does Lyca Mobile use?

Lyca Mobile uses the EE network for 4G and 5G. It moved from O2 to EE in 2023 through a partnership with BT Wholesale. Your coverage on Lyca should match EE’s at your postcode.

Is Lyca Mobile as good as EE?

The signal is broadly the same because Lyca uses EE’s masts. EE scored 74% in Which?’s January 2026 survey against Lyca’s 68%, and EE has shops and more support. Lyca is usually much cheaper for the same data.

Does Lyca Mobile do credit checks?

Lyca’s 30-day pay as you go plans have no credit check and no contract. Its pay monthly SIM-only plans do need a credit check. If you’re unsure, start on a 30-day plan.

Does Lyca Mobile put prices up every year?

Lyca says its pay monthly plans have no annual or mid-contract price increases. On half-price offers, the price does step up once the discount period ends, for example from £9 to £18 on 24 Month Unlimited. That step is set out in the plan terms before you buy.

Can I use my Lyca SIM in Europe?

Yes. Lyca plans include EU roaming, with data caps that depend on the plan: 12GB on most plans and 30GB to 35GB on the unlimited ones. Calls and texts in the EU come out of your UK allowance, within Lyca’s fair use policy.

Can I keep my number if I move to Lyca?

Yes. Text PAC to 65075 on your current network, then enter the code when you order or activate your Lyca SIM. The switch usually completes within one working day.

Final decision card

Lyca Mobile is worth it if price and EE coverage matter most: 24 Month Unlimited costs £9 a month for 6 months, then £18, about £378 over two years, and 100GB costs about £252. If you’d rather not sign a contract, the 30-day National Plus plan gives 30GB for £10 with no credit check. If customer service is your priority, compare Lebara before you decide.