Business SIM Only Buyer's Guide 2026: Data, eSIM, Porting
Business SIM Only Buyer's Guide 2026: Data, eSIM, Porting
If your business is still paying for mobile handset contracts when your team's phones are perfectly functional, you are almost certainly overspending. The shift to SIM only deals is the single most effective way to reduce business mobile costs, and in 2026 the savings are more compelling than ever.
A business SIM only deal strips out the cost of the handset from your monthly payment, leaving you paying only for airtime, calls, texts, and data. The result is typically a significant reduction in monthly cost compared to an equivalent handset contract. For a business with 10 mobile lines, that can translate to substantial savings every year. When you are ready to buy, compare business SIM only deals across all four networks on our main comparison page.
Yet many businesses hesitate. They worry about coverage differences (there are none), service quality (identical), or the hassle of switching (minimal). This guide addresses every concern, compares SIM only plans from all four UK networks side by side, and gives you a clear framework for deciding whether SIM only is right for your business.
At Compare The Networks, we are a UK-based comparison service with reviews on Trustpilot. We have been helping UK businesses switch to more cost-effective mobile deals and SIM only recommendations are our bread and butter. If you want a personalised comparison, get a free quote, it takes two minutes.
Why SIM Only Usually Costs Less Than a Handset Contract
The maths behind SIM only savings is straightforward. A handset contract bundles two costs into one monthly payment:
- The airtime cost. your calls, texts, and data allowance
- The device cost. the phone itself, spread over 24 or 36 months
When your contract ends, the device is fully paid off, but your monthly payment stays the same unless you actively switch to a SIM only plan. Many businesses continue paying the bundled rate for months or years after the device cost has been fully amortised. This is, effectively, paying for a phone you already own.
The Real Numbers
Compare the total cost of a mid-range business phone, such as a Samsung Galaxy A55, over 24 months. On a bundled handset contract you pay a higher monthly rate that quietly includes the cost of the phone. On a SIM only plan with the same 25GB allowance, you pay a lower monthly rate and buy the phone outright, so the device cost is transparent rather than hidden.
Across the full 24-month term, SIM only plus an outright phone typically works out cheaper than the equivalent bundled contract, and the gap widens with premium handsets like the latest iPhone. Multiply that per-line saving across a fleet of 20 lines and it adds up to a meaningful reduction over a single contract period. Get a free quote and we will put the exact numbers side by side for your team.
But the real savings come when you keep a phone beyond its original contract term. A well-maintained business phone lasts 3-4 years. Once the device is paid off after 24 months, every subsequent month on a SIM only plan saves the full difference between airtime-only and the old bundled rate.
All 4 Networks: Business SIM Only Plans Compared
EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three all sell business SIM only plans, from small data allowances up to unlimited data, with unlimited UK calls and texts on most plans. Business contracts arranged through Compare The Networks run for a minimum of 24 months on every network. Plan names, included extras and roaming terms change regularly, so compare the current written offer rather than a list of features from a past year.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Coverage at your locations | Check each office, site and home-working address on the network's own coverage checker |
| Data allowance per user or shared | Some accounts can pool or share data across lines, which suits teams with mixed usage |
| 5G and Wi-Fi calling | Widely available, but check the plan and your handsets support them |
| Roaming | Which countries are included, any daily charges and any fair use limits |
| Annual price rises | New contracts must state any rise in pounds and pence, so check the amounts and when they apply |
| Support and account tools | How you add lines, set spend caps, swap SIMs and report faults |
EE Business SIM Only
EE is owned by BT Group and runs its own network. BT Business mobile plans use the same EE network. See our full EE business mobile deals page.
Vodafone Business SIM Only
Vodafone and Three merged in 2025 to form VodafoneThree, and the Vodafone brand continues for business customers. See our Vodafone business mobile deals page.
O2 Business SIM Only
O2 is run by Virgin Media O2 and runs its own network. See our O2 business mobile deals and contracts page.
Three Business SIM Only
Three Business continues under the Three brand within VodafoneThree, and is often considered by data-heavy teams. See our Three business mobile deals page.
Plans, extras and availability vary with the number of lines, promotions and exact configuration. Get an exact quote for your business.
Contract Length: How 24-Month Business SIM Only Contracts Work
Business SIM only contracts arranged through Compare The Networks run for a minimum of 24 months. A longer term gives you a settled monthly price for each line and lets networks price business accounts more keenly than short commitments.
What a 24-month term means in practice
- A fixed minimum term. Each line runs for at least 24 months from its start date. The end date is set out in your written contract.
- Price rises stated up front. New contracts must set out any annual price rise in pounds and pence, so you know the cost for every year of the term before you sign.
- Early termination charges. If you end a line before the minimum term finishes, an early termination charge normally applies. Check how it is calculated in your contract.
- A review at the end of the term. Ofcom rules require providers to tell residential and small business customers when their minimum term is ending. Review your usage and compare again before you renew.
Planning for change during the term
Fewer surprises come from planning for change before you sign:
| Scenario | How to handle it on a 24-month contract |
|---|---|
| Stable team, predictable needs | Match each line's data to real usage and fix the term |
| Growing business, adding lines | Ask how new lines are added mid-term and whether their end dates can be aligned with existing lines |
| Staff turnover | Reassign the line and number to the next starter rather than cancelling it |
| Seasonal or project-based staff | Keep a small number of shared lines and reallocate them between people |
| Usage changing over time | Ask whether you can move a line to a larger allowance during the term, and on what terms |
| Trying a different network | Check coverage at every work location before committing, as the term is fixed |
For most businesses, the right approach is to size each line accurately at the start and agree up front how additions and changes will be handled.
Data Allowances Explained
Choosing the right data allowance is one of the most common sources of overspending on business mobiles. Buy too much and you waste money. Buy too little and you face overage charges.
How Much Data Do Business Users Actually Need?
| User Type | Typical Monthly Usage | Recommended Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Light user (calls, email, basic browsing) | 2-5GB | 10GB |
| Standard office worker (email, Teams, browsing, CRM) | 5-12GB | 15-25GB |
| Heavy user (video calls, tethering, media) | 15-30GB | 50GB or Unlimited |
| Remote/hybrid worker (main internet via mobile) | 30-100GB+ | Unlimited |
| Fleet driver (navigation, tracking apps) | 3-10GB | 10-15GB |
The Case for Unlimited Data
Unlimited data is available on business plans from all four networks. For lines where an allowance is regularly close to running out, an unlimited plan can cost less overall than a capped plan once you account for add-ons and extra charges, so compare both for your heaviest users.
When unlimited makes sense:
- Employees regularly tether their laptop to their phone
- Video conferencing is a daily activity
- Your team works from variable locations with unreliable WiFi
- You want to eliminate the risk of overage charges entirely
- The cost difference between unlimited and your current capped plan is small
For a detailed breakdown of data usage by activity and role, see our business mobile data usage guide.
eSIM Options for Business SIM Only
eSIM (embedded SIM) technology eliminates the need for a physical SIM card. Instead, your plan is downloaded directly to the phone. All four major UK networks now support eSIM for business SIM only plans.
eSIM Advantages for Business
- Instant activation: No waiting for a physical SIM to arrive in the post. Download and activate within minutes.
- Dual SIM capability: Use an eSIM alongside a physical SIM, allowing employees to carry one phone with two numbers (business and personal, or UK and international).
- Remote provisioning: IT administrators can push eSIM profiles to devices remotely via MDM, without needing to physically handle each phone.
- No physical SIM to lose or damage: Eliminates the risk of SIM tray issues, bent SIMs, or lost SIM cards during device swaps.
eSIM Compatibility
| Device | eSIM Support |
|---|---|
| iPhone XR and later | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 and later | Yes |
| Google Pixel 3 and later | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy XCover7 | Yes |
| Most rugged phones (CAT, Doogee) | Varies, check model |
eSIM by Network
| Network | eSIM Available (Business) | Activation Method | Multi-Device eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE | Yes | QR code or app | No |
| Vodafone | Yes | QR code or app | No |
| O2 | Yes | QR code | No |
| Three | Yes | QR code or app | No |
When to Choose SIM Only vs Handset Contract
SIM only is not always the right choice. Here is a clear decision framework.
Choose SIM Only When:
- Your team's current phones are in good condition and receiving security updates
- You prefer to buy devices outright (cash purchase or business lease)
- You want to choose and replace phones independently of your airtime contract
- Your previous handset contracts have expired but you are still paying the bundled rate
- You want to reduce monthly costs immediately
- You want a clear, separate view of airtime and device costs
Choose a Handset Contract When:
- Your team needs new phones and you prefer to spread the cost
- You want a single monthly bill covering both device and airtime
- Your business cannot afford the upfront cost of buying devices outright
- You want the phone to be covered by the network's insurance and support
- You are happy with a 24 or 36 month term that includes the phone
The Hybrid Approach
Many businesses use a combination: SIM only for employees with functional devices and handset contracts for those who need new phones. This is perfectly manageable on a single business account with any of the four networks.
Total Cost of Ownership: SIM Only + Phone vs Handset Contract
Across every scenario, buying a phone outright and pairing it with a SIM only plan tends to beat the equivalent bundled handset contract over a 24-month term. The advantage is largest when you keep a phone you already own, and it holds whether you choose a mid-range or a flagship handset, and whether you spread the comparison over 24 or 36 months. Get a free quote and we will work out the exact total cost for your team and phones.
How to Keep Your Number (PAC Code Process)
Switching to a new SIM only deal does not mean losing your business phone numbers. UK regulations guarantee your right to port your numbers to any network, and the process is straightforward.
Step-by-Step Number Porting
- Request a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) from your current provider. You can do this by texting PAC to 65075, calling your network, or requesting it online. The network must provide it within one working day.
- Give the PAC to your new provider when ordering your SIM only plan. You can do this online, by phone, or through a comparison service like Compare The Networks.
- The switch happens within one working day. Your old SIM will stop working and your new SIM will activate with your existing number. There is typically a brief interruption (minutes, not hours) during the switchover.
- If you want to cancel without porting, request a STAC (Service Termination Authorisation Code) instead of a PAC. This cancels the line without transferring the number.
Important PAC Code Rules
- Your PAC is valid for 30 days from issue.
- Your current provider cannot charge you for providing a PAC.
- You can request a PAC even if you are mid-contract, but early termination fees will still apply.
- Porting multiple business lines simultaneously is standard practice. Your new provider can coordinate the switch so all lines transfer on the same day.
Bulk Number Porting for Businesses
If you are porting 5+ lines, most networks offer a dedicated business porting team that handles the process end-to-end. At Compare The Networks, we manage the porting process for every business we help switch. get a free quote and we will handle it all.
Bringing Your Own Device (BYOD) with SIM Only
SIM only deals are the natural companion to a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy, where employees use their own personal phones for work.
BYOD + SIM Only: How It Works
- The business provides a SIM only plan (company-paid airtime)
- The employee uses their own phone
- Business data is protected through MDM or app containerisation
- The employee carries one device for both personal and business use
BYOD Considerations
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone compatibility | Ensure employees' phones are unlocked and compatible with your chosen network's frequencies |
| Minimum device standards | Set minimum requirements: OS version, encryption capability, screen lock |
| Security | Install MDM or app management. See our mobile security guide |
| Insurance | Clarify who is responsible for device repairs and replacement |
| Tax implications | HMRC allows tax-free provision of one mobile phone per employee. With BYOD, the employee owns the phone, the SIM plan is the business expense |
| Leaving the company | The employee keeps their phone; the business cancels or ports the SIM |
BYOD vs Company Phone + SIM Only
| Factor | BYOD + SIM Only | Company Phone + SIM Only |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | SIM only cost only | SIM only + device cost |
| Employee satisfaction | Higher (uses preferred phone) | Lower (may carry two phones) |
| Security control | Limited (their device) | Full (your device) |
| GDPR simplicity | Complex (mixed data) | Simpler (company data only) |
| Best for | Cost-conscious SMBs, low-sensitivity roles | Security-focused businesses, regulated industries |
Bulk SIM Only Deals for Teams
Businesses ordering multiple SIM only lines often get better terms than a single line on a network website, because the account is priced as a whole. The exact effect depends on the network, the number of lines, the data mix and any promotions running at the time.
What changes as you add lines
- Account pricing. Larger accounts are usually quoted as a package rather than line by line.
- Shared or pooled data. Some business accounts let lines share an allowance, which suits teams where a few people use most of the data.
- Account management. Bigger accounts may get a named contact and admin tools for adding lines, setting spend caps and managing SIMs.
How Compare The Networks Helps
As a UK-based comparison service, we can compare quoted SIM only options from EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three. Availability and pricing depend on the provider, account and contract terms. We take your requirements once, present the options side by side and help with the switch, including number porting.
Get a free bulk SIM only quote. Tell us how many lines you need and what data allowances, and you will get tailored options from all four networks.
Comparing SIM Only to Other Options
SIM Only vs Pay As You Go (PAYG)
PAYG plans have no monthly commitment, you top up credit and pay per minute, text, and megabyte. While this sounds flexible, PAYG is almost always more expensive per unit than SIM only for regular business use. PAYG makes sense only for rarely-used emergency phones or very occasional-use devices.
| Factor | SIM Only | PAYG |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Fixed and predictable | Variable |
| Cost per GB | Lower | Higher |
| Cost per minute | Included (unlimited) | Charged per minute |
| Predictability | High | Low |
| Best for | Regular business use | Emergency/backup phones |
SIM Only vs Mobile Broadband
If your primary need is data (rather than calls and texts), mobile broadband SIMs (designed for routers and dongles) may offer better value per gigabyte. However, they do not include voice or SMS capability.
| Factor | SIM Only (Phone) | Mobile Broadband SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Calls & texts | Included | Not included |
| Data value | Good | Better (data-only) |
| Device | Phone | Router/dongle/tablet |
| Best for | Employee mobile phones | Office backup broadband, vehicle WiFi |
For businesses considering mobile broadband as an office backup or alternative to fixed-line, see our business mobile plans comparison.
If you are weighing up SIM only against handset contracts, see how the deals compare across EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three on our dedicated comparison page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I save by switching to business SIM only?
Most businesses save meaningfully on their monthly mobile costs by switching from handset contracts to SIM only deals. A business with 10 lines can save a substantial amount each month, and even more each year, simply by dropping the handset element from the bill. The savings are even greater if your previous contracts have expired and you are still paying the bundled rate.
Will my coverage change if I switch to SIM only?
No. SIM only plans use exactly the same network infrastructure, coverage, and signal strength as handset contracts. If you stay on the same network, your coverage is identical. If you switch networks, coverage will change based on the new network's infrastructure, always check coverage at your key locations before switching.
How long are business SIM only contracts?
Business SIM only contracts arranged through Compare The Networks run for a minimum of 24 months. Your written contract sets out the end date for each line and any annual price rises in pounds and pence.
How do I transfer my business numbers to a new SIM only provider?
Text PAC to 65075 from each phone to receive a Porting Authorisation Code. Give these PAC codes to your new provider when ordering SIM only plans. The switch happens within one working day with minimal interruption. For bulk transfers (5+ lines), your new provider or a comparison service can coordinate all ports simultaneously.
Is eSIM available for business SIM only deals?
Yes. All four major UK networks support eSIM for business SIM only plans. eSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM card, your plan is downloaded directly to compatible phones (iPhone XR+, Samsung S20+, Google Pixel 3+). Activation is instant, and eSIM allows dual-SIM capability alongside a physical SIM.
Can I mix SIM only and handset contracts on one business account?
Yes. Every major UK network allows you to have a mix of SIM only lines and handset contract lines on a single business account. This is often the most practical approach. SIM only for employees with working phones, and handset contracts for those who need new devices.
What is the difference between consumer and business SIM only deals?
Business SIM only plans typically include: dedicated business customer service lines, access to business admin portals for managing multiple lines, multi-line discounts, spend management tools, and sometimes enhanced features like priority support or business roaming packages. The underlying network and data allowances are the same.
Do I need to unlock my phone to use a SIM only deal from a different network?
Yes, if your phone was purchased from a specific network, it may be locked to that network. You will need to request an unlock before inserting a SIM from a different provider. Most networks unlock phones for free, contact your current provider to request it. Phones purchased SIM-free are already unlocked.
Are there any early termination fees for SIM only contracts?
If you end a line before its 24-month minimum term finishes, an early termination charge normally applies. Your contract explains how it is calculated, so check it before you sign and before you cancel or port a line early.
Can I get business SIM only deals for tablets and data devices?
Yes. All four networks offer data-only SIM plans for tablets, laptops, and mobile broadband devices. These are typically cheaper than phone SIMs because they exclude voice and text, making them a cost-effective choice for data-hungry devices.
Ready to Switch to SIM Only?
Switching to business SIM only deals is one of the simplest ways to reduce your mobile spend, especially when your handset contracts have ended and your team's phones still work well.
At Compare The Networks, we have been helping UK businesses make the switch. We are UK-based, reviewed on Trustpilot, and our comparison service is completely free.
Here is what we will do:
- Compare SIM only deals across EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three
- Quote for your whole team, not line by line
- Calculate your exact savings vs current contracts
- Handle the entire switch. PAC codes, number porting, and SIM delivery
- Remind you to review your plans before your contract ends
Get your free business SIM only quote today. tell us how many lines you need and you'll get a recommendation from all four networks.
Compare The Networks is a trading name of Xtra Phones UK Ltd, a UK-based comparison service. We compare business mobile options from EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three.