Tesco mobile, operate a remarkably simple set of phone tariffs, designed to give their customers the added value Tesco have always strived to provide. Simplicity!

First of all, this is not actually Tesco's own network, it is a joint venture with the Mobile Network O2. Anyone who has used O2 in the past will know that they have some of the best coverage, when benchmarked against their competitors, particularly when using your mobile indoors.

Tesco offer two ranges of sim only Tariffs, I have used both the PAYG and contract tariffs at different times throughout my life, depending upon how much call time I require.

The Contract Tariffs:

Key Facts - One Month Sim only ranges from £10 to £30 a month. The way these deals work, are quite simple. You pay the fee and get given a multiple of 4x the fee in credit, with exception to the top tariff, which I will explain later.

£10 gives £40 credit
£15 gives £60 credit
£20 gives £80 credit
£25 gives £100 credit
£30 gives yes unlimited (up to £500 credit!!!!!!!)

Texts cost 1.25p (in real terms 0.31p)
Calls start at 2.5p a minute (in real terms 0.65p)
Run over your credit and start paying the full rate which is charged to your bill.

So the above deals provide simplicity, with only a £5 increase to move up to the next tariff, should you require additional credit. Plus, with the added benefit of being on a one month contract! Go for the £30 tarrif and get 16.6 times the fee in credit! A bargain for mobile addicts!


The Pay as you go Tariffs:

Key Facts - A sim with no ties. Get 3 times the amount you top up ion credit. But with higher call charges than the monthly sim.

The costs
£10 gives you £30
£15 gives you £45
£20 gives you £60

You have 5 favourite numbers with costs of:
Texts costing 5p
Calls costs 10p

For all other calls 20p (in real terms 6.7p a min)
For all other texts 10p (in real terms 3.3p a text)

Comparison in costs (real terms - published cost/multiplication factor use for determining your credit)

Texts:
PAYG Real Cost 3.3p a text
Contract: 0.31p
PAY v Contract (3.3 / 0.31) costs over 10 times more

Calls:
PAYG Real Cost: 6.7p min
Contract: 0.65p (starting) min
PAY v Contract (6.7 / 0.65) costs over 10 times more

So as you can see, the so called free credit is simply, your first £x gives you a cheaper rate, than calls you make above the allowance for contracts only.

With Phone Tarrifs - Contracts/PAYG with a phone included. A great range of phones, but keep an eye on the prices. Cheaper phones, mean higher contract prices!

Customer Support - Fantastic. Always willing to help, and the sim arrived within 3 days of being ordered. Came recorded delivery, for which I was advise at the time of sale! Well done Tesco!

Summary - Overall Tesco mobile is far simpler, providing some of the best coverage and very simply price plans. If you choose to take a phone, then study the plan in detail. And for pay monthly customers, be very careful about running over your minutes. The real charges no longer apply, after the so called credit has been used. You start paying the full rate.