Who uses EE’s network in the UK?

The main names worth knowing in 2026 include 1pMobile, Lyca Mobile, BT Mobile, Utility Warehouse, Your Co-op and Ecotalk. Ofcom currently lists them as examples of providers using the EE network.

There is also one outdated name on older comparison pages: Plusnet Mobile used EE, but Plusnet Mobile has now closed. Plusnet Broadband still exists; its mobile service does not.

EE-based mobile networks at a glance

DealPriceCheck note: Network access and plan features can change. Always check the exact plan and local coverage before switching.

1pMobile

1pMobile is one of the clearest independent examples of a provider using EE. Its own help pages say it uses EE network infrastructure as an MVNO, and its coverage checker includes 5G, 4G and 2G coverage.

It is useful to compare when EE coverage is good where you live but you do not particularly need an EE-branded plan. Its proposition is more about allowance and price than entertainment bundles or premium extras.

1pMobile may suit you if:

• you want EE-based coverage and 5G;
• you care mostly about price and data;
• you prefer a smaller provider without lots of bundled subscriptions.

Lyca Mobile

Lyca Mobile moved its UK partnership to BT Wholesale, giving customers direct access to EE’s 4G and 5G radio network. Lyca still sells its own product: it controls pricing, account support, international allowances, roaming and contract terms.

International use is where Lyca tends to stand out. Its current UK plans include combinations of 5G, eSIM, Wi‑Fi Calling, international minutes, roaming allowances and 30-day or longer-term options. Even with EE underneath, the product is quite different from EE’s own SIM range.

BT Mobile

BT Mobile is unusual because BT and EE belong to the same BT Group family. Ofcom lists BT Mobile as using EE. BT’s relaunched mobile service is exclusive to BT Broadband customers and currently uses 30-day rolling plans with EU roaming included on its current proposition.

Do not assume BT Mobile receives every premium EE feature. EE’s standalone 5G service is branded 5G+, and EE launched Fast Lane, a commercial 5G+ network-slicing feature, for eligible EE customers and compatible devices.

Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse is another provider Ofcom lists as using EE. Its monthly rolling mobile range is aimed at households combining energy, broadband, mobile and insurance. The Unlimited Max proposition supports 4G and 5G, Wi‑Fi Calling and included EU roaming under current terms, while UW also promotes multi-SIM savings.

Your Co-op Mobile

Your Co-op states directly that it uses the EE network for its residential mobile service. Its SIM-only range uses 30-day rolling contracts and advertises 5G on compatible handsets, eSIM support and plan-specific EU roaming allowances. It also places more emphasis on carbon-neutral and tree-planting projects than most mobile brands.

Ecotalk

Ecotalk is a smaller provider Ofcom lists among networks using EE. Its proposition is built around environmental projects and conservation work. For a SIM comparison, the basics should still come first: monthly price, data, 5G, roaming, Wi‑Fi Calling, eSIM and contract flexibility.

What happened to Plusnet Mobile?

Older pages about networks using EE often still mention Plusnet Mobile. That information is now out of date. Plusnet’s own help page says Plusnet Mobile has closed and directs customers towards EE. Plusnet Broadband remains active, but there is no active Plusnet Mobile service to compare.

Is an EE MVNO the same as EE?

No. Using the same radio infrastructure does not make the entire service identical. An MVNO can sometimes undercut EE with a simpler offer, but price, eSIM, roaming, Wi‑Fi Calling, customer support and premium network features remain provider-specific.

5G and 5G+

A provider can offer 5G over EE infrastructure without automatically receiving every form of EE’s newer technology. Do not assume every EE-based provider receives 5G+, Fast Lane, network slicing or every premium EE service.

Coverage

The EE radio footprint is the starting point, but the complete experience depends on a provider’s technical agreement, handset compatibility, local capacity, indoor signal, congestion and plan features. Check coverage where you actually use your phone, not only national claims.

Is EE actually a good network?

Independent testing continues to rate EE strongly. BT/EE published February 2026 results from RootMetrics and Umlaut that put EE first overall in the UK. EE is also expanding 5G+: at the launch of Fast Lane in August 2026, EE said 5G+ was available to around 54 million people, or roughly 78% of the UK population.

That does not automatically make every EE-based SIM the best deal. A cheaper plan on another network may still suit you better if coverage is good where you need it, the price is lower, roaming is better or the contract is more flexible.

Which EE-based provider is best?

There is no single winner. Compare 1pMobile for straightforward value, Lyca for international calling, BT Mobile if you have BT Broadband, Utility Warehouse for multi-service households, and Your Co-op for flexible plans with an environmental angle.

Start with coverage at home and work, then compare data, monthly price, roaming, contract length, eSIM and Wi‑Fi Calling.

Compare all SIM-only deals →

Frequently asked questions

Sources checked

• Ofcom mobile coverage checker FAQ — EE-based provider examples and coverage methodology.
• Plusnet Mobile closed — current Plusnet status.
• 1pMobile network FAQ and coverage checker.
• Lyca / BT Wholesale partnership.
• BT Mobile, Utility Warehouse and Your Co-op Mobile.
• EE independent network tests and EE Fast Lane.

Who uses Vodafone’s network in the UK? →