Quick Overview
Tesco Mobile has been operating in the UK since 2003 as a joint venture with O2. Sky Mobile launched in 2017 and is part of the Sky group (owned by Comcast). Crucially, both networks use O2's infrastructure — so the comparison is entirely about price, features and service.
| Category | Tesco Mobile | Sky Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Host network | O2 | O2 |
| Coverage | Identical (O2) | Identical (O2) |
| APN | prepaydata.mobilebroadband | skydata |
| Data rollover | No | Yes (Piggybank feature) |
| Bundle discount | Clubcard savings | Sky TV bundle discount |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
| Contract types | Pay-as-you-go, SIM-only, handset | SIM-only, handset |
Coverage — Identical Tesco Mobile Network
Since both operators use O2, your signal experience will be the same regardless of which you choose. O2's 4G covers approximately 99% of the UK population, with 5G available in 80+ locations. Rural coverage is solid thanks to O2's participation in the Shared Rural Network. There is no coverage advantage to choosing one over the other.
Pricing
Tesco Mobile pricing is straightforward and competitive, particularly for smaller data allowances. Tesco Clubcard holders can get additional discounts on monthly plans — a useful perk for regular Tesco shoppers. Plans typically run £5–£20/month for 5–30 GB.
Sky Mobile pricing is similar but often includes benefits for existing Sky TV customers, such as bundle discounts and the ability to swap data between family members on a Sky Family plan. Sky's data management features make it better value for households where data use varies month to month.
Data Features
Sky Mobile's Piggybank is a genuinely useful feature: unused monthly data is saved in a "Piggybank" that you can draw on in future months or on higher-data days. This reduces waste if you have variable usage. Tesco Mobile doesn't offer data rollover but has competitive pricing on larger monthly bundles.
APN Settings Compared
| Setting | Tesco Mobile | Sky Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| APN | prepaydata.mobilebroadband | skydata |
| Username | prepaydata | sky |
| Password | password | sky |
| Host MCC/MNC | 234 / 10 (O2) | 234 / 10 (O2) |
| MMSC | http://mmsc.tescomobile.com:8002 | http://mmsc.sky.co.uk:8002 |
| MMS Proxy | 82.132.254.1 | 82.132.254.1 |
| MMS Port | 8080 | 8080 |
Full guides: Tesco Mobile APN settings · Sky Mobile APN settings
⭐ Verdict
If you shop at Tesco regularly and want straightforward pricing, Tesco Mobile is excellent. If you're a Sky TV customer or want the Piggybank data rollover feature, Sky Mobile adds more value. Coverage and network quality are identical — choose based on pricing and perks rather than connectivity.