REACH FOR THE SKY New mobile deal shakes up the market

Sky has entered the mobile phone market – and its new deal has shaken up competition.

It’s a SIM-only, all-you-can-eat, package for €14.99 a month.

That’s not (quite) the cheapest but it is the best in my view when you drill down into the details, our analysis shows (with some caveats).

Sky’s new Mobile Unlimited deal is only €2 a month dearer than the very cheapest comparable deal (from 48.ie). 

Yet its unlimited calls, text, and data – even when roaming in the EU and UK – gives it an edge.

Uniquely (for low-cost deals) Sky has unlimited data usage in the 28 countries we’re most likely to visit. 

This is increasingly important as we use our phones on work trips and holidays for everything from Google Maps to live translation services at events. 

Sky is also guaranteeing this price “for life.” But grab it while you can: this element of the deal is available for a limited time to turbo-charge its launch.

This lifetime offer is particularly appealing when you consider what rampant inflation did to our finances recently.

Some companies (yes,  Eir, we’re looking at you!) do the opposite – they promise to increase your bill mid-contract with annual hikes!

Details correct at time of publication 28/9/2024 but subject to change.

A potential catch to Sky’s offering is that it could always make the plan less attractive down the line in ways other than pricing. But it would still be a great deal until this happens, if ever.

If Sky beats other SIM-only deals – it’s not by that much.

Clear Mobile’s €14.99 plan runs it incredibly close - with unlimited data, calls and texts – and not surprisingly won last year’s Switcher’s Best SIM-only Pay Plan Award.

However, it has a smaller data allowance (though more than most other options).

And there’s also an annoying “activation” charge of €14.99 when you first set up.

GoMo have one month free offer that runs out tonight – although in reality this just cancels out the activation fee that they also usually impose.

It also offers a ‘for life’ pricing deal and last year won two ‘gongs’ at Switcher awards – for best data and as the public’s favourite choice.

A downside to Sky’s new deal compared to the rest is that it’s an annual contract, whereas you can ‘come and go as you please’ with other packages.

But the real story is how you can save hundreds by switching from a pricey BillPay deal  to one of these low cost SIM-only options.

Many people are paying well over €30 a month when they could get a SIM-only plan for not much more than a third of that.

Some are a bit snobby about SIM-only deals, thinking that you’re going to embarrassingly run out of credit, like people used to in the early days.

Yet I’ve been on 48.ie’s SIM-only deal at €12.99 a month for a couple of years now without this problem. The direct debit automatically ensures continuity of service, although I have run out of data credit on occasion.

I find 48.ie’s coverage in Ireland is just about adequate – though often only with one or two bars and ‘tethering’ the phone to my laptop for internet coverage  is very poor. 

This is unsurprising as 48.ie is on the Three network (few providers have their own networks) which isn’t as highly rated as Vodafone’s. (Coverage varies depending on where you are and it’s worth checking which mobile network suits you best on Comreg.ie.)

However, while abroad I found that 48.ie’s coverage was far from adequate – it was atrocious especially when badly needed while driving around the unfamiliar French and Spanish countryside on holidays last year. 

When I complained, I was referred to technical advisors and I tweaked my phone as suggested. But on this summer’s continental holidays it was even worse, and I was often left ‘blind’ without a handy GPS on my phone to guide me.

So I am keen to at least try out a package that uses another network, particularly Vodafone’s as it seems to be rated highly. 

Without any contract to pin me down thanks to my SIM-only deal, I am going to snap up Sky’s new offer and hopefully enjoy decent coverage on my next overseas outing – while not having to worry about data usage in the EU and UK.

SIM-only deals are varied and can suit people for many reasons. 

An Post in particular has a range of specialist deals though some have odd features.

Its cheapest deal is €12.99 every four weeks (for life) yet this one is weirdly designed for those who never text (whoever that is?!) as there are zero free texts and only 500 minutes of calls (whereas most plans are unlimited in both regards).

A better option for texters is An Post’s €15 plan which has unlimited texts and minutes-  though also a 25GB data limit at home and roaming 

For €3 more, you can get An Post’s unlimited plan, though even here a 25GB limit applies for roaming in most of Europe.

Switcher boss Eoin Clarke says: “SIM-only options can also include data plans with different speed limits for activities like browsing, streaming, and video calls. Some plans also include international calls, which can be a great benefit if you frequently call abroad.”

“SIM-only deals or pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for those on a budget or who want a refurbished phone (that) could save you hundreds of euros compared to a new device.

“ But if you want the latest smartphone, like the iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 and need to spread the cost, opt for a bill pay plan,” he advises, even though “these plans often come with a minimum term of 24 months.” 

Many people shop around for things like food and energy, after these soaring prices hit the headlines.

But despite spending so much of our time peering at them, we tend to forget our mobile phones.

Isn’t it about time we paid as much attention to their cost now as we do their content?!