Family mobile plans

back_ache

We have a mix of (android) sim-only mobiles in the house I'm on "giffaff" (O2  network) PAYG auto-renew for my 4g phone, my partner is on a "Tesco" contract for her 5g (also over O2) and our two teenagers 4g phone on "Penny" (EE network) PAYG using auto-top-up

The (young) teenagers aren't getting the hang of the implications of using data (to my wallet) so I wondered if there are any sim-only family plans we could migrate to (and who to avoid)

The EE network is generally not great in our area for 4g which excludes me using our broadband provider (BT), what have other families found is a good deal?

I've heard adverts for Sky (O2 Network) for example but am worried about what the customer service experience is like, especially given we'd be putting "all our eggs in one basket" 

What is the latest (Q3 2023) advice on family mobile plans? 

PHK

I think putting teenagers on 1p mobile is asking for trouble. You'd be better moving them to Voxi or Smarty or GiffGaff

There aren't really such things as family plans but most providers will give you a small discount on subsequent lines (eg 10%) or allow you to setup a group or multi-line account. 

2319WeHaveA2319

I have moved all of my family to Lebara, Who use Vodafone. 

The parents use little data, and the sister a lot more. I used the MSE blagged deals, and you can have 4 sims to 1 email address account. 

Customer service has been great and it's so cheap for a half decent service! 

The vodafone 5G coverage is to be desired.. 

99p for 3GB is a deal!

mgfvvc

back_ache said:

The (young) teenagers aren't getting the hang of the implications of using data (to my wallet) so I wondered if there are any sim-only family plans we could migrate to (and who to avoid)

Why is a "family plan" a solution?

I would suggest a capped plan. My kids have a 5GB monthly plan for £5.99 with Lebara. Their phone is configured to cut their data off at 4.8GB or something like that and I think there's also a cap on the account, so they can override the phone's cap, but not the cap on the plan. I don't think they've ever gone over 5GB.

tinker411

back_ache said:

The (young) teenagers aren't getting the hang of the implications of using data (to my wallet) so I wondered if there are any sim-only family plans we could migrate to (and who to avoid)

I take it from this you'd be the account admin for everyone?

Well, usually I'd say 1p Mobile (with bundles, not auto topup) as multiple accounts on one login run like a dream, but as EE coverage in your area is generally not great you'd probably be best looking elsewhere (probably something on O2's network as two of you are on it already, with giffgaff and Tesco, and you appear happy with it).

In response to your Sky Mobile query - I've found their customer service to be fine, albeit a little odd (twice I've had to 'remind' them they can do something, using my account and their own website as evidence, but other than that it's been pretty much issue free). Managing multiple accounts online is easy, and if you're all under one account then piggybank data is great.

Depending on how much you're paying between you at the moment, might be worth looking at Tesco Mobile's Family Pack - £30 a month for the primary account holder, £10 a month per family member added to the account (up to 4 family members allowed), 30 day contract, unlimited minutes texts and data all round.

savergrant

back_ache said:

The (young) teenagers aren't getting the hang of the implications of using data (to my wallet)

To my thinking buying a monthly bundle for each of them and then making sure auto topup is off so you can't be charged for extra data would help them learn to manage their data usage. There are plenty of places with free WiFi.

matelodave

As suggested above, a limit to the amount of data that can be used without a free top up if they run out, will concentrate their minds a bit and make them less wasteful.

Alternatively make them pay for what they are using - until they have an idea of of the cost or implication of squandering data then they wont learn the value. Just my opinion you understand.

MX5huggy

I would just get them enough data to cover their usage, the extra per month is not worth the moaning.