SimDirs
EN 中文

Tesco Mobile

eSIM + Physical

O2-based UK MVNO — 6-month activity keep-alive, eSIM only after physical-SIM conversion

3.7 · 1+ countries & regions · Updated: August 21, 2026
Visit website

Best for: UK-based shoppers who like the Tesco brand and can do the physical-SIM-to-eSIM conversion.

Overview

Tesco Mobile is a 50/50 JV between retailer Tesco and O2, running on O2's network (99% 4G population coverage, 5G supported) across the UK, Ireland, Slovakia and Czechia. Entry eSIM route: order a £10/12GB plan with a physical SIM, then convert to eSIM — the website does not support direct eSIM selection. Keep-alive: one usage record every 6 months.

Tesco Mobile's profile is retail-brand trust on O2 infrastructure: 99% 4G coverage claim with 5G, monthly and PAYG plans, and a keep-alive cadence of one usage record per 6 months.

The friction is eSIM onboarding: the site cannot sell eSIM directly — you order a plan bundled with a physical SIM (entry around £10/12GB), then convert inside the account/app afterwards. That makes it the least eSIM-friendly of the reviewed UK options and awkward for buyers outside the UK who cannot easily receive a physical card.

Once converted, it behaves like the other budget MVNOs: priority below O2's own subscribers, monthly-or-PAYG flexibility, and a China-roaming story the source review does not emphasise — group it with the low-cost/flexible tier rather than the China-roaming specialists.

Popular plans

PlanData fromValidityPrice
Entry plan (with physical SIM)12GBMonthly; 6-month activity keep-alive£10

Plan terms per Tesco Mobile official site (2026-03 review); eSIM requires post-purchase conversion.

Pros

  • Trusted retail brand on O2's network
  • Relaxed 6-month keep-alive cadence
  • 99% 4G claim with 5G support

Things to note

  • No direct eSIM checkout — physical SIM must ship first
  • Impractical for buyers outside the UK
  • MVNO priority below O2's own customers

Key features

  • O2 network: 99% 4G coverage claim, 5G supported
  • One usage record per 6 months keeps the number
  • Monthly and PAYG plans
  • Physical-SIM-first flow, convert to eSIM afterwards