Lidl has entered Ireland’s mobile phone market, and its arrival has put even more pressure on the country’s already competitive low-cost mobile market.
Lidl Connect launched in Ireland with a headline price of €8.99 a month for its unlimited plan. The offer includes unlimited 5G data, unlimited calls and texts, 50GB of EU and UK roaming data and 100 international minutes. Lidl is targeting the first 100,000 customers with its “price for life” offer.
But Lidl is not the only provider offering cheap mobile phone plans in Ireland. 48, Lycamobile, An Post Mobile, Tesco Mobile, GoMo, Lebara and Vodafone all have options for customers who want to avoid expensive traditional mobile contracts.
With prices changing and some providers offering introductory rates, it is worth looking at what each company actually offers rather than simply choosing the plan with the lowest headline price.
Lidl Connect: €8.99 a month
Lidl Connect is now one of the cheapest unlimited mobile plans available in Ireland.
The launch offer costs €8.99 per month and is aimed at the first 100,000 customers. The plan includes unlimited 5G data in Ireland, unlimited calls and texts, 50GB of EU and UK roaming data and 100 international minutes.
The €8.99 price is being promoted as a “price for life”, which makes it particularly interesting compared with temporary introductory discounts offered by some other providers.
Lidl Connect uses the eir network, so coverage is an important consideration. If you already know that eir coverage is good in your home and workplace, the Lidl deal becomes even more attractive.
Verdict: Lidl currently has one of the strongest low-cost unlimited-data offers in Ireland, particularly for customers who can secure the €8.99 price-for-life deal.
48 Mobile: €9.99 for the first six months
48 has been one of the major players in Ireland’s low-cost mobile market for several years, and its current offer is particularly competitive.
New customers can currently get unlimited 5G data, 5,000 minutes and 5,000 texts for €9.99 a month for the first six months. The price then increases to €12.99 per month.
The plan includes 20GB of EU and UK roaming data and there is a one-off €9.99 activation fee for the current introductory offer.
48 operates using Three’s network and does not require customers to sign a long-term contract.
Verdict: 48 is one of the closest competitors to Lidl. The €9.99 introductory price is excellent, although Lidl has the advantage if you can secure its €8.99 price-for-life offer.
Lycamobile: from €9
Lycamobile has traditionally been particularly popular with customers who make international calls, and it remains one of the cheapest options in Ireland.
Lycamobile’s current plans include options for customers who need relatively small amounts of data as well as unlimited-data packages.
Its Go Unlimited plan provides unlimited 5G data, unlimited national calls and texts, 30GB of EU, Ukraine and Moldova roaming data and 100 international minutes to 31 countries.
Customers taking the longer-term option can pay as little as €9.17 per month when the annual plan is paid upfront. The standard longer-term price is €10 per month for three or six months.
It is important to remember that longer-term plans and 30-day plans work differently from traditional monthly contracts, so the headline monthly equivalent is not always directly comparable with a provider charging once every calendar month.
Verdict: Lycamobile remains particularly attractive for customers who need international calling as well as cheap mobile data.
An Post Mobile: €12.99
An Post Mobile offers another low-cost option, using Vodafone’s network.
The €12.99 plan provides 50GB of data, 500 minutes to any network, and 300 minutes and 300 texts between An Post Mobile customers. It also includes 25GB of data for use while roaming in the EU and UK.
The service is technically a prepay plan. Customers renew the service by topping up €12.99, with the allowance renewing every 28 days. An Post also provides an automatic top-up option.
Verdict: An Post Mobile is worth considering for anyone who wants Vodafone network coverage and does not need unlimited data.
Tesco Mobile: €15 for 100GB
Tesco Mobile remains one of Ireland’s better-known prepay operators and has a particularly interesting option for customers who already use Tesco Clubcard.
The current Prepay plan costs €15 every 28 days and provides 100GB of data, 1,000 any-network minutes and 500 any-network texts. It also includes 22.17GB of data for use in the EU.
Customers can earn Clubcard points when topping up, while Clubcard customers can also get preferential pricing on some Tesco Mobile plans.
Tesco also has an unlimited 5G prepay option costing €20 every 28 days. Clubcard customers can currently qualify for that plan for €15 when the required scheduled top-up conditions are met.
Verdict: Tesco is not the cheapest option for unlimited data, but its €15 100GB plan is competitive for people who do not need unlimited data and already shop at Tesco.
GoMo: €14.99 a month
GoMo was one of the companies that helped establish the low-cost SIM-only market in Ireland.
The current GoMo Mobile plan costs €14.99 per month and includes unlimited calls to Irish mobiles and landlines, unlimited texts and unlimited data. It also includes 23GB of EEA roaming data.
There is a once-off €14.99 activation fee.
GoMo operates on the eir network, so it is worth checking coverage in the places where you regularly use your phone.
Verdict: GoMo remains a straightforward unlimited-data option, although Lidl and 48 have made the market considerably more competitive.
Lebara
Lebara is another name worth considering, particularly for people who make international calls.
Lebara has traditionally focused heavily on international calling and low-cost SIM plans, making it particularly popular with customers who regularly communicate with family and friends overseas.
However, its Irish offers can change and availability can differ from the better-established Irish operators, so customers should check the current Irish plan before signing up.
Verdict: Lebara is worth investigating if international calls are important to you, but customers should compare the current offer carefully against Lycamobile before switching.
Vodafone PAYG
Vodafone remains one of Ireland’s major mobile network operators and also offers traditional Pay As You Go plans.
Its PAYG range includes unlimited-data options, with customers activating their allowance by topping up the required amount. Vodafone also supports eSIM on compatible devices.
The major difference compared with providers such as Lidl, 48 and GoMo is that Vodafone operates its own mobile network rather than relying on another network as an MVNO.
Verdict: Vodafone is generally more expensive than the cheapest MVNO options, but it can make sense for customers who need Vodafone coverage or prefer dealing directly with a major network operator.
Cheapest Pay As You Go mobile plans in Ireland compared
| Provider | Price | Data | Calls and texts | Roaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lidl Connect | €8.99/month | Unlimited 5G | Unlimited | 50GB EU/UK |
| 48 Mobile | €9.99/month for 6 months, then €12.99 | Unlimited 5G | 5,000 minutes and 5,000 texts | 20GB EU/UK |
| Lycamobile Go Unlimited | From €9.17/month | Unlimited 5G | Unlimited national calls and texts | 30GB EU/UK/Ukraine/Moldova |
| An Post Mobile €12.99 | €12.99/28 days | 50GB | 500 minutes plus An Post Mobile allowances | 25GB EU/UK |
| GoMo Mobile | €14.99/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | 23GB EEA |
| Tesco Mobile Prepay | €15/28 days | 100GB | 1,000 minutes and 500 texts | 22.17GB EU |
| Vodafone PAYG | From €20/28 days | Unlimited options available | Plan dependent | Plan dependent |
Which is actually the cheapest?
Looking purely at the monthly price, Lidl currently has the most eye-catching offer at €8.99 a month.
It becomes even more competitive when you consider what is included. Rather than offering a relatively small data allowance, the Lidl plan provides unlimited 5G data, along with unlimited calls and texts.
48 is extremely competitive for new customers, with its current €9.99 introductory price. However, that price only lasts for six months before moving to €12.99.
Lycamobile is also very competitive, particularly for customers who are prepared to take a longer-term plan and want international calling included.
Don’t forget about 28-day plans
One of the easiest ways to make a cheap mobile plan look cheaper than it really is is to compare a 28-day plan directly with a monthly plan.
A monthly plan renews 12 times in a normal year. A plan that renews every 28 days can renew 13 times during a year.
For example, a €15 plan renewed every 28 days can result in 13 payments over a 12-month period, meaning €195 is paid over the year rather than €180.
This is why the billing period is just as important as the advertised monthly price when comparing PAYG deals.
Which network does each provider use?
The network behind a cheap mobile provider can make a major difference to the experience.
- Lidl Connect: eir network
- GoMo: eir network
- 48: Three network
- An Post Mobile: Vodafone network
- Tesco Mobile: Three network
- Vodafone: Vodafone network
Before switching, it is worth checking which network gives you the strongest signal at home, at work and in the places you regularly visit.
Is Lidl now the best mobile deal in Ireland?
For customers who can get the €8.99 price-for-life offer, Lidl Connect is certainly one of the strongest deals currently available.
The combination of unlimited 5G data, unlimited calls and texts and 50GB of EU and UK roaming for €8.99 a month puts it ahead of many established budget providers on price.
However, coverage should be considered before switching. Lidl Connect uses the eir network, so someone who already struggles with eir coverage may be better served by a provider using Three or Vodafone.
For example, 48 is worth considering for customers who get good Three coverage, while An Post Mobile may be a better option for someone who needs Vodafone coverage.
International calling can also change the calculation. Lycamobile and Lebara remain particularly relevant for customers who regularly call overseas.
The bottom line
Ireland’s mobile market has become extremely competitive for people who already own a phone and simply want a cheap SIM.
Lidl’s arrival has pushed the market even further, with its €8.99 unlimited 5G offer now competing directly with established budget providers such as 48, Lycamobile and GoMo.
For the cheapest unlimited-data deal, Lidl is currently difficult to ignore. For customers who want an alternative network, 48 offers a strong introductory deal, while An Post Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Lycamobile provide different combinations of data, calls, roaming and international services.
The best deal ultimately depends on how much data you use, which network works best where you live and whether you need international calls or roaming.
But with several providers now offering unlimited or high-data plans for well under €20 a month, there is little reason for most customers to continue paying €30, €40 or more for a standard mobile plan without first checking what is available elsewhere.
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