16-06-2025
I used free mobile service that instantly boosted my 5G signal – plus I get Disney+ at no extra cost and Prime for £1
GOOD CALL
I also found a way to keep my bills down
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, Assistant Technology and Science Editor
Published: 10:38,
Updated: 10:38,
CHANCES are you've stuck to the same mobile network for donkey's years and not bothered to switch.
The process is a hassle and you don't really know whether what you're switching to is any better.
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But some providers have come up with a clever idea to give you a free trial of their network - and you don't need to give up your existing provider while you're trying it out.
Vodafone started it last year at the Glastonbury Festival and have been doing it at other events and locations too.
Three Mobile has been doing the same.
I've had several frustrations with my provider, O2, for years - notably, seeing full bars of 5G on my iPhone and web pages just not loading.
The final straw was when I left work a few weeks ago and Citymapper just wouldn't load to show my bus times, meaning I was late meeting a friend.
In the end, I had to go back into the office to use Wi-Fi instead.
I remembered Vodafone had just introduced its free network trial in London so I decided to give it ago.
I loved O2 for price, O2 Priority perks and roaming but I realised the network didn't really deliver in the places I needed it to - around work, on my train route and crucially near my new home.
Of course, network coverage varies from place to place, and I'm sure O2 performs better in some areas of the country.
But for me, it's not really delivering so trying Vodafone seemed like a good way to go before making any big decisions.
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Belfast, Sheffield, Liverpool and Watford are the latest areas where Vodafone is offering the trial to anyone.
You can scan QR codes around these places to take advantage or you can simply visit Vodafone's website.
It'll load onto your phone as a second eSIM and works instantly after about five minutes of setting up.
This means your existing phone number will continue to work as normal with your existing provider.
Just be sure to set the Vodafone SIM as the main source of data so you can really see whether it's better than your existing provider.
You should be able to do this during set-up but if you miss it you can adjust after in your phone's settings.
The trial provides you with seven days of completely free 50GB data, 500 minutes and 500 texts.
And, if like me, you like what you got then you can make the jump and switch completely in the usual way.
I found a good offer for Vodafone via that included cashback as well so that my monthly costs overall haven't gone up.
EXTRA OFFERS AND FREEBIES
As well as getting better 5G in the areas that matter to me, Vodafone also has its own selection of offers and freebies with VeryMe Rewards.
I will miss O2 Priority, especially the ability to get concert tickets early.
But Vodafone VeryMe has a lot of great offers on rotation.
I was able to get hold of Disney+ for free for three months.
And you can get Amazon Prime for £1 for three months as well, so it all helps save money.
The other perk from O2 that I'll miss is the free roaming across Europe whenever I'm on holiday.
Vodafone does have an eight day roaming pass for £15 or 15 day pass for £20 but I managed to find separate eSIM providers online that were much cheaper.
All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.
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