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A few things you should know about mobile phones:

• Would I need a mobile phone while in the UK?
• Is having a UK number worth it?
• What are the benefits of having a UK number?
• What mobile phone options exist?

WOULD I NEED A MOBILE PHONE WHILE IN THE UK?

If you are an international student staying for shorter than one semester (three months) you may be able to get on by just connecting to local Wi-Fi and communicating via WhatsApp. As of January 2023, 96% of built-up UK (shops, bars, cafés, hotels, student halls, etc.) is deemed to have access to superfast broadband. Which means if you are in the UK for a short time, getting connected that way should be relatively straightforward. Remember to be very careful of what networks you connect to as data phishing is known to take place on unregistered and unrecognizable networks. Only connect to hosts that are verifiable and that are run by the establishment you find yourself in such as your university library or coffee shop. 

IS HAVING A UK NUMBER WORTH IT?

Yes. Nowadays mobile carriers have several offers that do not involve committing to a long-term contract or paying huge sums in advance for coverage. You essentially pay for the coverage you need and can cancel anytime. A list of these mobile carriers are provided below.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A UK MOBILE PHONE?

You can make local calls without having to pay roaming charges on an international number. 

If you were asked to provide a point of contact (such as for a job application, bank account or even at your University) having a local number works better as companies or businesses are unlikely to want to call a foreign number and incur extra charges. 

In creating an account, you may need to setup a 2-step identification process. Having a local number greatly helps. 

WHAT MOBILE PHONE OPTIONS EXIST?

SIM-only Phones:

1. This is more student-friendly and convenient because you are not tied to a contract and can change carrier or bundle when you want. 
2. Carriers with the best offers on international calls tend to be the ones that offer SIM-only deals (see below). 
3. You will need an unlocked phone of your own and ensure that the SIM is compatible with your handset. 

Contract phones: 

1. These are most suited to students staying on for at least two years, if not longer. The average duration of a contract phone is 18-24 months. So engaging in one if you will be staying in the UK for less than two years is not worth it. 
2. Have a good understanding of your usage (minutes and data) so that you are only able to take up an option that fits your usage. There is no guarantee you will be able to amend your contract once it has been signed. 
3. One advantage of a contract phone is that you are able to get the latest handset range or model at little to no upfront cost which is then paid off over the lifetime of the contract. 
4. Your phone bill counts as a utility bill which you can use to officially establish your address should you need to. 

Here are the most affordable and student-friendly mobile phone options: