O2 vs Vodafone: Which Network Has The Best Unlimited Data Plan?
O2 and Vodafone are two of the biggest phone networks in the UK, and both offer a range of unlimited plans. But which network offers the best unlimited plan? Let’s unpack some stuff and find out…
TL;DR: O2 vs Vodafone – Key Takeaways
O2’s Unlimited Data Plan
- Fair Usage Policy: O2 caps data usage at 650GB per month. While this is a substantial limit, power users who stream, game, or tether multiple devices might find themselves nearing this cap.
- Personal Hotspot Limitation: O2 allows a maximum of 12 devices to be connected to your phone’s hotspot at a time. This could be restrictive for those hosting large gatherings or tech enthusiasts with multiple devices.
- Roaming: O2’s ‘Roam in EU’ feature allows customers to use their data in 48 European destinations at no extra cost, making it a good choice for frequent travellers within Europe.
- Check out all of its latest plans here.
Vodafone’s Unlimited Data Plan
- Speed Restrictions: Vodafone imposes speed restrictions on their unlimited data plans. The Lite plan has a max speed of 2Mbps, the Standard plan 10Mbps, and the Max plan offers the fastest available speed. Your choice of plan could significantly impact your internet speed.
- No Explicit Fair Usage Policy: Vodafone does not specify a fair usage policy for their unlimited data plans, potentially offering more freedom for heavy data users compared to O2’s 650GB cap. However, the lack of a fair usage policy doesn’t compensate for slower internet speeds on cheaper plans.
- Roaming: Vodafone’s ‘Global Roaming’ feature allows customers to use their data in 81 destinations worldwide at no extra cost, depending on the plan chosen. This makes Vodafone a superior choice for globetrotters.
In this context, O2 would be our preferred recommendation right now for value for money and speed. If you want the absolute best plan, however, you should check out our guide to the best unlimited data plans instead.
In the quest for the perfect mobile plan, unlimited data is the holy grail. But as any seasoned mobile user knows, not all unlimited plans are created equal. O2 and Vodafone are both massive players in the UK market, and both networks offer an array of unlimited data deals.
But out of these two big brand names which offers the best unlimited data plans? In order to answer this rather nuanced question, we first need to unpack and understand how each network “does” unlimited data. Once we know this, we can start making assessments about which is best and why.
So, let’s start by looking at how O2 and Vodafone package their respective unlimited data plans, covering off things like fair usage policy, throttling, and hotspot restrictions…
O2’s Unlimited Data Plan
Fair Usage Policy
At the heart of O2’s unlimited data plan lies a fair usage policy, capping data usage at a hefty 650GB per month. Now, to put this into perspective, 650GB is a substantial amount of data. It’s enough to stream around 217 hours of HD video on Netflix, spend 16,250 hours browsing the web, or listen to over 108,333 songs on Spotify.
However, in today’s digital age where streaming, gaming, and constant connectivity are the norm, some power users might find themselves brushing up against this limit. Particularly, if you’re using your mobile data for heavy tasks like downloading large files, streaming high-quality videos, or tethering multiple devices, this cap is something to keep in mind.
So, while O2’s 650GB limit is indeed generous and likely more than sufficient for the average user, it’s not truly ‘unlimited’. Heavy data users should be aware of this cap and monitor their usage to avoid hitting this ceiling before the end of the month.
Personal Hotspot Limitation
When it comes to sharing your internet connection via personal hotspot, O2 imposes a restriction, allowing a maximum of 12 devices to be connected at a time. Now, for the average user, this might seem like more than enough. After all, how often do you need to connect more than a dozen devices to your phone’s internet?
However, consider this scenario: you’re hosting a gathering, and your home Wi-Fi decides to take a break. As the host, you become the go-to person for internet sharing.
Or perhaps you’re a tech enthusiast with a multitude of devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles – the list goes on. In these situations, the 12-device limit might start to feel a bit restrictive.
Moreover, if you’re in a household with multiple users or if you’re using your phone’s internet for work purposes where you might need to connect several devices, this limitation could potentially hamper your connectivity needs.
So, while O2’s 12-device limit on personal hotspot usage is likely to be sufficient for everyday use, it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re someone who often finds themselves in the role of the communal internet provider or if you’re a heavy tech user with a plethora of devices.
Roaming
For the globetrotters, O2’s ‘Roam in EU’ feature allows customers to use their data in 48 destinations in Europe at no extra cost. This feature allows you to browse, stream, and stay connected while travelling without incurring extra costs.
Vodafone’s Unlimited Data Plan
Speed Restrictions
Unlike O2, Vodafone’s unlimited data plans come with speed restrictions. They offer three types of unlimited data plans: Lite (max speed 2Mbps), Standard (max speed 10Mbps), and Max (fastest available speed). Depending on the plan you choose, your internet speed could be significantly limited.
No Explicit Fair Usage Policy
Vodafone does not mention a specific fair usage policy for their unlimited data plans. This could potentially offer more freedom for heavy data users compared to O2’s 650GB cap.
But, if you opt for one of its cheaper plans, you’ll still have to deal with slower internet and no amount of data allowance is going to make that situation any prettier. My advice? You shouldn’t have to pay for fast mobile data, not in 2023. Go with a phone plan that doesn’t charge a premium for faster 5G speeds.
Roaming
Vodafone’s ‘Global Roaming’ feature allows customers to use their data in 81 destinations worldwide at no extra cost, but this is dependent on the type of plan chosen. This outshines O2’s roaming offering, making Vodafone a great option for frequent travelers.
The Final Verdict
Both O2 and Vodafone offer compelling unlimited data plans, each with their own strengths. O2’s robust network and extensive coverage make it a strong contender, but its fair usage policy and personal hotspot limitations may be a deal-breaker for some.
Vodafone’s high-speed network and lack of a specific fair usage policy make it a standout choice, especially for heavy data users and frequent travelers. But its speed restrictions are a real kick in the nuts for anyone looking to snag a cheap but effective unlimited data plan.
Out of the two, O2 is the obvious choice here and in this context it is the one you want to go with but it is not our #1 recommendation for the best unlimited plan in the UK right now – that’d be Three’s £25 a month standard unlimited plan.
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