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4Com Business Mobile Alternatives: EE, Vodafone, O2 & Three Compared (2026)

4Com Business Mobile Alternatives: EE, Vodafone, O2 & Three Compared

4Com Is Not a Mobile Network. The Alternative Is Going Direct.

There is no "4Com Mobile" network. There are four mobile networks in the UK — EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three — and 4Com, like every other UK mobile reseller, sells airtime from these networks. The SIM in your phone connects to one of those four, not to 4Com.

This matters for one simple reason: the same network coverage, the same data, the same minutes, are available directly from the network or via a broker comparing all four networks. There is no unique 4Com mobile product. There is only the 4Com packaging — pricing, contract length, service terms — wrapped around network airtime you can buy from anywhere.

This article walks through the alternatives to 4Com business mobile, with direct-network pricing, coverage notes, contract length standards, and where an honest broker fits in.

We are Compare The Networks — an independent, OFCOM-regulated business mobile comparison service since 2008. We are not affiliated with 4Com, Hihi or Campfire. All our quotes compare EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three directly.

First Principles: What Are You Actually Paying For?

On a business mobile contract you are paying for three things:

  1. Airtime — data, minutes, texts, roaming, tethering
  2. Handset (optional) — iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, etc, either financed over the term or bought outright
  3. Service — account management, provisioning, billing, support

The airtime portion is bought wholesale from one of the four networks. The cost to the reseller is effectively the same as the network's wholesale cost minus volume discount.

The handset portion is the same hardware from Apple or Samsung wholesale distributors.

The service portion is the value-add — but also the markup. This is where reseller packages diverge from direct-network pricing.

Trustpilot reviewers describe 4Com's mobile pricing as relatively expensive when compared to the direct-network rate for equivalent plans, particularly once the post-discount standard rate applies. See our 4Com price increases article.

The Four UK Networks — Direct Pricing 2026

Here is what going direct typically looks like in 2026.

EE (part of BT)

Coverage: UK's largest 4G/5G footprint, top in most independent signal tests.

Business SIM-only: £10 to £22 per line per month on 24-month contracts, depending on data allowance.

Business handset plans: £35 to £65 per month with modern iPhone or Galaxy on 36-month terms.

Annual increase: £2.50 + VAT per month each April.

Strengths: Coverage, 5G rollout, speed. Preferred by businesses whose staff travel widely.

Vodafone

Coverage: Very strong nationally. Particularly strong business/enterprise support.

Business SIM-only: £8 to £20 per line per month on 24-month contracts.

Business handset plans: £32 to £60 per month on 36-month terms.

Annual increase: £2.50 + VAT per month each April.

Strengths: Business packaging, OneNumber for VoIP integration, international travel.

O2 (Virgin Media O2)

Coverage: Solid 4G coverage, 5G rolling out.

Business SIM-only: £8 to £18 per line per month on 24-month contracts.

Business handset plans: £30 to £58 per month on 36-month terms.

Annual increase: £2.50 + VAT per month each April.

Unique advantage: O2 Roam at Home includes 25GB EU data plus UK inclusive mins/texts at no extra cost. Vodafone and EE do not match this on their standard business plans. If your staff travel to the EU at all, this alone saves significant cost versus the other networks.

Strengths: EU roaming, Priority perks, Priority Plus for business staff.

Three

Coverage: Strongest in urban areas, slightly thinner rurally. Competitive data allowances.

Business SIM-only: £8 to £18 per line per month on 24-month contracts.

Business handset plans: £30 to £55 per month on 36-month terms.

Annual increase: £2.50 + VAT per month each April.

Strengths: Large data allowances, competitive pricing, Go Roam for EU/USA travel.

Note: Three is now part of Vodafone following the 2024-2025 merger — the networks are combining over time but still operate as separate brands for contract purposes.

How 4Com Mobile Compares

Trustpilot reviewers describe 4Com business mobile as:

  • Typically bundled into wider packages with Hihi handsets, VoIP and broadband
  • Headline introductory rate attractive for the first 18-24 months
  • Post-discount standard rate significantly higher than equivalent direct-network pricing
  • Contract lengths in the range described by reviewers of 24 to 60 months
  • Separate Hihi equipment lease on top if desk handsets are included

We are not making direct corporate accusations. Read the reviews yourself at uk.trustpilot.com/review/4com.co.uk.

The Underlying Question

If the SIM you get from 4Com sits on (say) Vodafone's network, and the SIM you get direct from Vodafone business also sits on Vodafone's network, what are you paying extra for? The answer should be account service. Decide whether the service premium justifies the price differential over 24+ months.

Coverage: Check Your Actual Postcodes

Before comparing prices, check coverage at every location you work from:

  • Head office
  • Home offices of remote staff
  • Key customer sites
  • Warehouse or yard locations

Use each network's official coverage checker:

  • EE: ee.co.uk/coverage
  • Vodafone: vodafone.co.uk/network/status-checker
  • O2: o2.co.uk/coveragechecker
  • Three: three.co.uk/support/coverage

If coverage is poor at a critical postcode on one network, rule it out even if the price is better. A cheap SIM with no signal is not cheap.

Price Benchmark: Typical 10-Line Business

Indicative open-market 2026 SIM-only pricing for 10 lines with 30GB data, unlimited UK mins/texts:

  • Direct EE: around £15 per line = £150/month, £3,600 over 24 months
  • Direct Vodafone: around £13 per line = £130/month, £3,120 over 24 months
  • Direct O2: around £13 per line = £130/month with Roam at Home included, £3,120 over 24 months
  • Direct Three: around £12 per line = £120/month, £2,880 over 24 months

Through a broker comparing all four, typical negotiated pricing is 5-15% under direct rack rates for volume deals — so £110 to £140 per month for the same 10 lines.

Trustpilot reviewers describe 4Com bundled rates well above these figures once the introductory discount lapses. We encourage you to benchmark your current 4Com bill against the figures above.

Contract Length: 24 Months Is the Standard

The UK business mobile contract standard is:

  • 24 months for SIM-only
  • 36 months for handset-plus-airtime plans
  • Co-terminus option so handset upgrades can be done mid-cycle

Reseller contracts longer than 36 months are unusual and should prompt careful reading. Trustpilot reviewers describe 4Com's mobile-component contract terms varying but wider bundle terms running longer, with the separate Hihi equipment finance running 7 years. See our 4Com 7-year contracts article.

Annual Price Increases: Ofcom Rule

From January 2025, Ofcom banned CPI/RPI-linked mid-contract increases on consumer telecoms. Annual increases must now be shown in £ and pence at the point of sale.

In practice all four UK networks apply:

  • £2.50 + VAT per month increase each April on mobile plans
  • Some plans (primarily broadband/Sky) use £3.00

B2B contracts are technically exempt from Ofcom's rule but reputable networks have voluntarily extended the same "£ and pence" rule to business contracts. Check any 4Com contract for how the annual increase is documented — this is a common point where Trustpilot reviewers report surprise.

EU Roaming: Where O2 Pulls Ahead

A significant real-world differentiator:

  • O2 Roam at Home: 25GB EU data plus UK inclusive mins/texts at no extra cost on standard business plans
  • Vodafone, EE, Three: EU roaming typically available but as a paid add-on or separate plan tier

If any of your staff travel to the EU even occasionally, O2's Roam at Home often makes O2 the cheapest meaningful choice. This is worth knowing if your 4Com contract does not include comparable inclusive EU roaming.

Handset Options

For business mobiles with handsets, you have three routes:

1. Network-Financed (Standard)

iPhone 15/16 or Galaxy S24/S25 financed over 36 months as part of the monthly plan. Transparent pricing, no separate finance agreement.

2. SIM-Only Plus Outright Purchase

Buy handsets outright from Apple or a reseller, put a SIM-only plan on each. Lower long-term cost, higher upfront.

3. Leased (Business Lease)

Some providers offer leased handsets as a separate agreement. If you are considering this route, verify the lease term matches the SIM term. Do not end up with a Hihi-style scenario where the handset contract runs years longer than the airtime.

Broker vs Direct

Should you go direct to the network or via a broker?

Direct

  • Straightforward single point of contact
  • Network's own customer service
  • No third-party layer
  • You negotiate at rack rates unless you are a volume customer

Honest Broker (Like Us)

  • Compares all four networks in one quote
  • Volume-discounted pricing (networks pay us, not you)
  • Independent recommendation based on your coverage postcodes, usage, roaming needs
  • Still leaves you on the direct network's billing — we broker the deal, we do not resell

Which is best depends on fleet size and complexity. For 5+ lines, a broker comparison is usually worth getting. For 1-2 lines, direct is often simpler.

Get a free mobile quote and we will compare all four networks for you.

What to Do If You Are Already With 4Com

If you are a current 4Com mobile customer:

  1. Find your current contract. What is the end date on the service component?
  2. Find your current bills. What are you paying per line, all-in including any hidden line items?
  3. Check coverage at your key postcodes on each of the four networks
  4. Get a comparison quote. Free mobile quote shows you EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three side-by-side
  5. Plan the port timing. Mobile number ports complete within 1 working day once the PAC is issued (text PAC to 65075)
  6. Do not cancel 4Com until numbers have ported to the new provider

See our full how to leave 4Com guide for the broader exit plan if your contract includes VoIP or Hihi handsets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What network does 4Com use for business mobile?

4Com is a reseller, not a network. They sell airtime from EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three depending on the specific plan. Ask 4Com explicitly which network your SIMs are on — the answer determines your coverage, and the same network is available directly or via any broker.

Is 4Com mobile cheaper than going direct?

Trustpilot reviewers describe the headline introductory rate as attractive for 18-24 months, but the post-discount standard rate as higher than equivalent direct-network pricing. Full-term cost comparisons typically favour direct-network or honest-broker routes. Benchmark your 4Com bill against direct rates using a free comparison.

Can I keep my mobile numbers if I switch from 4Com?

Yes. Under Ofcom rules, business mobile numbers are portable. Text PAC to 65075 on the 4Com SIM to receive your PAC code, give it to your new provider, and the port completes within 1 working day. Do not cancel 4Com until numbers have ported.

Which UK mobile network is best for business?

Depends on your postcodes and usage. EE leads on coverage and 5G speed. Vodafone is strong on business packaging and international. O2 uniquely includes EU Roam at Home on standard business plans. Three is competitive on pricing and data allowances. A comparison across all four is the only way to know for your specific use case.

Do all UK business mobile contracts have annual price increases?

Effectively yes — all four networks apply a fixed £2.50 + VAT per month increase each April on mobile plans. Ofcom banned CPI/RPI-linked increases in January 2025 and required fixed £ and pence values. B2B is technically exempt but networks have voluntarily extended the rule to business contracts.

Explore Your Options

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About this article. Claims reported here are attributed to public reviews on Trustpilot and similar platforms. They represent the opinions of the reviewers cited, not statements of fact by Compare The Networks. Brands named may dispute these claims. If you are a brand representative who believes any content requires correction, please contact us.

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