The rise of BYOD (bring your own device) and SIM-free phones, plus the growing popularity of dual-SIM handsets like the OnePlus 3 has made it increasingly attractive to businesses to kit their workforce with SIM cards rather than full devices.As a reminder, companies do not have to report anything to HM Revenue and Customs or deduct or pay tax and national insurance if they provide the employees with one SIM card (or mobile phone) and the phone contract is between the employer and the service provider.Weve looked at the best SIM only deals from all the main mobile phone operators in the UK (the four big networks and three MVNOs) and, in no order of preference, here are the ones we think are the best for micro, small and medium businesses.
(Note that Three doesnt do SIM-only for businesses and is therefore excluded from our listing).VodafoneThe cheapest around for data-hungry usersUnlimited minutes | Unlimited texts| 20GB data | 12-month contract | 16.67Should you agree to sign a 12-month contract, then Vodafones Red bundle is possibly the best offer in the UK.
You get unlimited data, minutes (usable both in the UK and in the EU) and a whopping 20GB data to use with an extra 4GB to be used in the EU in 40 countries; you can always opt for the WorldTraveller option which allows you to use your UK allowance in an additional 58 countries worldwide for a fiver a day.
Vodafone also offers a 30-day money-back warranty.
Check out this deal on Vodafones websiteO2Terrific for globe-trottersUnlimited minutes | Unlimited texts| 20GB data | 12-month contract | 24The Telefonica-owned company offers one of the most impressive packages in the line-up.
It has also got a major price drop, falling to just 24 a month (down from 30).
Not only do you have unlimited minutes and texts in the UK and across Europe (well, there is a fair usage limit of 2,000 minutes and 2,000 texts in the EU), you also get 3GB to use in the EU and 100 UK to EU minutes.
Great if you travel a lot to mainland Europe.
O2 also offers a 30-day optional contract for an extra 2 per month.View this deal on O2s websiteEEIt has a unique selling pointUnlimited minutes | Unlimited texts| 15GB data | 12-month contract | 17O2 might win when it comes to versatility but EE almost grabs the top spot when it comes to sheer value for money.
It undercuts its main rival by nearly 10 per month yet offers the same core features (unlimited data and texts, but data is slightly less at15GB).
EE also upgraded its network to superfast 4GEE and you can even share your plan with three co-workers on the same bill; Note that, unlike many competitors, tethering and VOIP are allowed.View this deal on EEs websiteBTNot the most attractive package on offerUnlimited minutes | Unlimited texts| 20GB data | 12-month contract | 30EE is now owned by BT and yet somehow, the former easily trumps the latter when it comes to value for money.
Just to put things in context, the equivalent BT package to the one above costs a whopping 72 a month, thats an extra 52 compared to EEs (or a 260% premium).
You can choose to double your 4G speed to up to 60MBps for 4 per month and you will get access to five million BT Wi-Fi hotspots.This deal has also just got much better, as data has been doubled from 10GB per month to 20GB, without any additional costs!View this deal on BTs websiteThe People's operatorGreat for intra-team voice communication1000 minutes | Unlimited texts | 2GB data | 30 day rolling contract | 9.99TPO is a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that piggybacks on Threes network to deliver its service.
All its plans offer 10% of the value of the monthly spend to a nominated cause or charity, which is a rather laudable and uncommon marketing strategy.
A 10-person SME can therefore, effortlessly donate a whopping 300 over the course of a year.
This and the fact that calls between TPO colleagues are free could well entice SMBs towards this relatively new player.View this deal on TPOs websiteThe Co-operativeIdeal for short contractsBusiness Unlimited | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited texts | 3GB data | 12-month contract | 17Perhaps the newest MVNO here, Co-op is better known for its supermarkets and its financial services.
Like TPO, Co-op supports a few social and ethical projects and since it is a co-operative, its customers can become members as well.
Its unlimited bundle which is powered by EE - comes with no limit texts and minutes.
Additional 1GB data bundles will cost 1.67 at a time.
Note that a sharer bundle is also available but without the data component.View his deal on The co-operative business telecomsVirgin Media BusinessExcellent for dual-playBig Data | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited texts| 3GB data | 12-month contract | 11.67If you plan to get mobile SIM-only services packaged with broadband, then the Big Data offer from VMB is worth looking at.
The mobile service is underpinned by EEs infrastructure and therefore like Co-op, provides with unlimited minutes and texts.
Save 2 per month per SIM package if you opt for VMBs Managed Internet Access package.
Sadly, there is no sharer package for teams.View this deal on Virgin Media Business websiteYixcUhAQ9r7zfPLA25sxjc.jpg#