By DealPriceCheck · Published and checked 6 September 2026
You don’t have to buy a SIM directly from Three to use Three’s mobile network. Several UK brands use its infrastructure while setting their own plans, features and roaming terms.
The main consumer brands to know in 2026 are iD Mobile, SMARTY, Superdrug Mobile and Honest Mobile. They are often described as Three MVNOs or Three piggyback networks.
Ofcom’s mobile coverage FAQ also lists FreedomPop as Three-based. We have not included it as an active option because we could not verify a live UK consumer sign-up route.
There is a newer complication: Vodafone UK and Three UK completed their merger in 2025 to form VodafoneThree. Their networks are being integrated, but the exact access and features available to each provider can differ.
Three-based mobile networks at a glance
Provider
Three-based?
VodafoneThree position in 2026
5G
eSIM
Roaming highlight
iD Mobile
Yes
Latest iD material says powered by VodafoneThree; feature availability can vary by provider
Yes
Yes
Inclusive roaming in 50 destinations
SMARTY
Yes
Explicitly included in VodafoneThree network sharing
Yes
Yes
Up to 12GB EU roaming from normal allowance
Superdrug Mobile
Yes
Three-based; wider Vodafone access is not confirmed here
Yes
Check current provider terms
12GB EU roaming on eligible plans
Honest Mobile Classic SIM
Yes
Works exclusively on Three
Yes
Yes
Five free EU roaming days per trip
FreedomPop
Ofcom lists it as Three-based
Active UK consumer status unverified
—
—
Not shown as an active option
DealPriceCheck note: VodafoneThree is changing network access quickly. The underlying network and the exact features available to a provider are not always the same thing.
Selected providers — not whole of market. Prices and availability can change; check the provider’s website before purchase.
iD Mobile
iD Mobile is one of the largest independent brands built on Three infrastructure. It is owned by Currys rather than Three. Its latest official network FAQ describes the service as powered by VodafoneThree and says it covers 99.8% of the UK outdoor population.
Current iD features include 4G and 5G, eSIM, SIM-only and handset plans, Wi-Fi Calling on compatible devices, inclusive roaming in 50 destinations and automatic data rollover. Unused data moves into the following billing month and expires if it remains unused after that month.
What does VodafoneThree mean for iD?
The safest description is the one in iD’s latest official network material: iD benefits from VodafoneThree network integration as upgrades roll out. This should not be read as automatic access to every premium Vodafone or Three feature. In June 2026, iD support said it did not support 5G Standalone / 5G+ and could not confirm a launch date.
iD Mobile may suit you if:
you want a mainstream lower-cost alternative with both SIM-only and handset plans;
Three owns SMARTY and SMARTY says the brands share the same network. SMARTY is explicitly included in VodafoneThree’s combined-network rollout: its current help material says customers can automatically use both Three and Vodafone coverage where network sharing has been deployed, at no extra cost.
SMARTY has its own flexible plan range and account experience. Its current features include 4G, 5G at no extra cost, eSIM, rolling SIM-only plans, EU roaming from the normal allowance and a 12GB monthly EU roaming fair-use limit on larger plans. SMARTY says its 4G network covers 99% of the UK outdoor population.
SMARTY may suit you if:
you want a flexible SIM-only plan with 5G and eSIM;
12GB of included EU roaming is enough;
you want a Three-owned budget brand with confirmed VodafoneThree sharing.
Superdrug Mobile states that it runs on Three, with current SIM plans offering 4G and 5G. Its proposition is tied to the Health & Beautycard, with contract-free plans, data rollover, Beautycard rewards and included EU roaming on eligible plans.
On eligible capped-data plans, unused UK data rolls into one additional calendar month. Its current larger plans advertise 12GB of EU roaming data. VodafoneThree’s public sharing material explicitly names SMARTY, but does not confirm equivalent wider Vodafone access for Superdrug Mobile. It should therefore be treated as Three-based unless Superdrug confirms otherwise.
Honest Mobile
Honest Mobile’s Classic SIM belongs in a Three-network comparison: its support material says it works exclusively on Three. It supports 5G, a physical SIM or eSIM, unlimited UK calls and texts, unrestricted hotspot use and a loyalty discount that can reduce the monthly bill over time.
Classic SIM includes five free EU roaming days per trip. After that, the current charge is £2 per day. Honest’s Smart SIM is a different secondary eSIM product: it can use several networks for supported data apps and does not provide a normal UK mobile number, so it is not mixed into the normal SIM-only comparison.
Why FreedomPop is not in the active list
Ofcom still lists FreedomPop as an example of a provider using Three. Its public consumer site is currently focused on US plans priced in dollars, and a live UK consumer plan and sign-up route could not be verified. It should not appear as an active option until that changes.
How different is a Three-based provider from Three itself?
Vodafone network access
SMARTY is explicitly included in VodafoneThree sharing, and iD’s current material describes it as powered by VodafoneThree. Other independent providers should be checked separately rather than being assumed to have full Vodafone access.
Price, 5G and eSIM
Each provider sets its own prices and plan rules. All four active providers discussed here offer 5G, but that does not guarantee identical priority, standalone 5G access, speed policies or premium features. iD Mobile, SMARTY and Honest Mobile support eSIM; Superdrug Mobile’s eSIM status should only be displayed after current provider documentation confirms it.
Roaming and rollover
iD includes roaming in 50 destinations. SMARTY allows up to 12GB of EU roaming data on eligible larger plans, Superdrug Mobile advertises 12GB on eligible plans, and Honest Mobile Classic SIM includes five free EU days per trip before a daily charge. iD and Superdrug use different rollover mechanics. The shared network family does not make the travel terms the same.
Coverage and VodafoneThree
Three remains the underlying radio-network reference point for several providers in this guide. Three says its 4G network covers 99% of the UK population outdoors and its 5G network continues to expand. SMARTY says customers can use both Three and Vodafone coverage where sharing has been deployed; iD’s current FAQ describes its service as powered by VodafoneThree.
Coverage maps are estimates. Check your postcode, indoor signal, the places you work and travel, handset compatibility and whether 4G Calling is supported before switching.
What happened to Three’s 3G network?
Three says its UK 3G network was fully switched off in November 2025. Three does not operate a 2G network. Older devices can therefore be a problem: to retain normal calling, text and data service a handset needs compatible 4G Calling / VoLTE or 5G support. Ofcom also confirms that Vodafone, EE, Three and O2 have all completed their UK 3G switch-offs.
Which Three-based provider is best?
For a mainstream alternative
iD Mobile is an early provider to compare for SIM-only or handset plans, data rollover, eSIM and inclusive roaming.
For flexible SIM-only plans and confirmed VodafoneThree sharing
SMARTY is the clearest place to start: it is Three-owned, supports eSIM and 5G, and is explicitly included in combined-network sharing.
For Superdrug shoppers
Superdrug Mobile can be relevant when Health & Beautycard rewards have real value to you.
For a smaller provider with loyalty discounts
Honest Mobile has a distinct Classic SIM proposition for customers who want a Three-based eSIM and shorter EU trips.
The practical order is: check coverage, choose the data you need, compare the live price and minimum commitment, then compare confirmed network access, roaming, eSIM, rollover and contract terms.
Current consumer providers using Three infrastructure include iD Mobile, SMARTY, Superdrug Mobile and Honest Mobile’s Classic SIM. Ofcom also lists FreedomPop, but we have not verified a live UK consumer sign-up route for it.
Does iD Mobile use Three?
Historically iD Mobile has used Three infrastructure. Its latest official network FAQ describes the service as powered by VodafoneThree following the merger.
Does SMARTY use Three?
Yes. Three owns SMARTY and SMARTY says the brands share the same network. SMARTY is also included in VodafoneThree network sharing where it has been deployed.
Does Superdrug Mobile use Three?
Yes. Superdrug Mobile states that it runs on Three and offers 4G and 5G.
Does Honest Mobile use Three?
Yes, for its Classic SIM. Honest says Classic SIM works exclusively on Three; Smart SIM is a separate secondary eSIM product.
Do Three MVNOs also use Vodafone now?
Not automatically. SMARTY is explicitly included in VodafoneThree network sharing, and iD describes its service as powered by VodafoneThree. Other providers can have different wholesale arrangements.
Does Three still have 3G?
No. Three says its UK 3G network was switched off in November 2025. It does not operate a 2G network.
Sources checked
We checked primary provider and regulator sources while preparing this guide.
