Why choose a VOXI SIM only deal?
VOXI is primarily a SIM-only provider. However, you can get the latest handsets on VOXI, provided you are prepared to accept the phone being locked to Vodafone and to stay with VOXI for a defined period, then you can pay for the handset separately and in instalments. Here's what else you can expect.
- Simple tariffs – At the time of writing (March 2022), there are five SIMs on VOXI. It keeps things dead simple, especially when compared to some other providers who offer dozens
- Credit available on handsets – You can get a handset at the same time as a SIM, so rather than a typical mobile contract where you are tied into the network and paying off the cost of the handset, you will only be doing the latter. You are free to unlock the phone and switch away after a short minimum period
- Unlimited data for social media – Virgin Mobile offers this too, so it's not unique. However, if you do use a lot of Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and/Twitter, it won't count towards your monthly data allowance on VOXI
- 30-day rolling contracts – All VOXI SIMs are without a contract. You roll over every 30 days, and as such can choose different monthly allowances each time, or switch away to another provider whenever you want
- Unlimited calls and texts – All three VOXI SIMs come with unlimited minutes and texts
Is VOXI a good network?
There are actually only four UK mobile networks: Three, O2, Vodafone and EE. Everyone else, and they are numerous, piggybacks onto one of those four networks. You'll find all the info on who piggybacks who a little further down in the similar and alternative providers sections.
VOXI is owned by Vodafone, so as you would expect, it operates on the Vodafone network. Vodafone covers more than 99% of the UK population, and offers 4G data speeds averaging 22.4Mbps, second fastest of the four, with EE the fastest at an average speed of 36.4Mbps. 5G coverage is still mainly in cities and larger towns, but roll-out continues.
Data and calling features
There are a standard set of desirable features you should look for on any mobile provider you are considering signing up to.
- 5G – VOXI SIMs include connection to Vodafone’s 5G network which is available in many towns and cities around the UK. You will, of course need a 5G phone to use it.
- 4G data speed – VOXI is on the Vodafone network, which offers the UK's second-fastest 4G data speeds, coming in at a respectable 22.4 Mbps download on average
- Data rollover – Data rollover is where you can carry unused data allowance on to the following months. Being that VOXI offers only 30-day rollover no-contract deals, you won't find data rollover here
- Tethering – Tethering is where you use your mobile phone, and its SIM, as a wireless mobile broadband router. Other devices can then link to it and access the internet via its data allowance. You can tether on VOXI and use up as much of your data limit as you like while doing so
- Wifi calling – This is where your phone automatically uses your wifi to make calls, sending and receiving your call via the internet, rather than your mobile network whenever it detects that it is able to do so. This generally provides a clearer reception and is a great feature if there are parts of the house where signal is weak. VOXI is on Vodafone, Vodafone offers wifi calling, and therefore so does VOXI
- Data gifting – This is where you can gift unspent data to a friend or family member on the same network. VOXI does not offer this
- Data caps – This is where you can limit the amount of additional data you can use once you have hit or exceeded your monthly allowance. It doesn't apply to 30-day rolling contracts and so doesn't apply to VOXI
- EU Roaming – EU roaming was pretty standard stuff until this year, but now the UK has left the EU, mobile providers are free to bring back roaming charges. Thankfully many of them haven’t done this yet, including VOXI
Roaming on VOXI Mobile
Until recently, it didn’t matter which network you were on, you could use your phone in EU countries at no extra charge. This changed when the UK left the European Union and providers were again able to charge extra. However, most providers have continued to provide EU roaming at no extra charge. VOXI is one of the providers who still provide EU roaming. If you want to use your phone in other parts of the world beyond Europe, there are different, often expensive rates for doing so, depending on your destination.
There are a couple of things to be aware of when it comes to data roaming. You can use your data in EU countries, but there is a “fair use cap” of 20GB, after which you will be charged at higher rates. Also, data roaming does not include the Endless Social Media feature, so you will use data when using social media abroad.
VOXI allows you to roam like home in Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (inc. Faroe Islands), Estonia, Finland, France (inc. Corsica), French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Martin, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (inc. Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
For other countries, VOXI has a list including individual rates for calling, texting and data usage on its website.