Lidl Connect vs Tesco Mobile

Is Lidl Connect cheaper than Tesco Mobile?

Over a first year, yes, by €24.12. Tesco Mobile's Elevate SIM costs €30 a month, €180 in the first year with its intro price. Lidl Connect costs €12.99 a month with no activation fee, €155.88 a year, at its official price. After Tesco's intro year the gap is €17.01 a month.

These figures use each provider's own published price, checked on 2026-10-10. Lidl Connect is shown at €12.99, the only price in 1GLOBAL's price list; the press reported a lower launch price for the first customers, which this comparison does not assume.

What does Tesco Mobile give you that Lidl Connect does not?

Tesco Mobile has no annual price increases on bill pay plans signed before December 2026, links prices and points to Clubcard, and runs on Three's network. It also sells a €20 Clubcard SIM with unlimited 5G on a monthly rolling plan, and prepay plans whose data doubles with Clubcard.

• No annual price increases on bill pay plans signed before December 2026.
• Clubcard prices and points.
• 36.95GB of EU roaming data on Elevate.

Is Tesco Mobile's network the same as Lidl Connect's?

No. Tesco Mobile says it is "powered by the Three Network"; Lidl Connect runs on eir's. If your Tesco signal is good at home and work, check eir's coverage at the same places on ComReg's outdoor coverage map before you move. Three and eir cover rural areas and buildings differently.

Lidl Connect runs on eir. Before you move from a provider on a different network, check eir's coverage at home and at work on ComReg's outdoor coverage map ↗.

How do you switch from Tesco Mobile to Lidl Connect on bill pay?

Inside your minimum term, Tesco Mobile charges any outstanding charges plus the monthly charges for the rest of the term, and says this applies when you port out too. Outside it, give 30 days' notice in writing or by phone and no cancellation fee applies. Start the move in Lidl Plus with your Tesco account number.

1. Check your contract

   24 months with a phone, 12 months SIM only, or 30-day rolling. Leaving early: in contract: outstanding charges plus the monthly charges for the rest of the minimum term, also when you port out. See leaving a contract early.

2. Find your account number

   Bill pay: your number and account number; prepay: your number and whether it is registered.

3. Start the move in Lidl Plus

   Choose to keep your number when you sign up for Lidl Connect. Do not cancel your old plan first: the move ends it for you when it completes.

4. Keep your old SIM in

   Keep your old SIM in your phone until the move is done: a verification code is sent to it by text.

5. Notice and the last bill

   Notice: 30 days, written or by phone. When the port completes: porting out ends the agreement; in contract, the cancellation charge applies. Final bill: Tesco Mobile does not state when the final bill comes.

How do you switch from Tesco Mobile to Lidl Connect on prepay?

Tesco itself advises using up your credit before moving your number, because it cannot be transferred. If you leave some, call 1903 within three months of switching to claim the credit you paid for; Tesco takes a €10 administrative charge. Credit Tesco gave you, and bundle allowances, are lost.

1. Decide what to do with your credit

   Tesco Mobile refunds remaining top-up credit you paid for. Bonus credit: credit given by Tesco Mobile is lost; remaining bundle allowances are lost too.

2. Know whether your number is registered

   Bill pay: your number and account number; prepay: your number and whether it is registered.

3. Start the move in Lidl Plus

   Choose to keep your number when you sign up. Tesco itself advises using up remaining credit before you move your number, because it cannot be transferred.

4. Keep your old SIM in

   Keep your old SIM in your phone until the move is done: a verification code is sent to it by text.

5. Claim your credit after the move

   How: call 1903. Deadline: within 3 months of switching. Fee: €10 administrative charge. More on unused credit.

What do you lose when you leave Tesco Mobile?

You lose Clubcard prices, which need your Clubcard registered with Tesco Mobile, and the price freeze on 24-month plans. On prepay you lose Tesco-given credit and remaining bundle allowances, and a refund of paid credit costs €10. Inside a contract, the cancellation charge applies when you port out.

• Clubcard prices, which need your Clubcard registered with Tesco Mobile.
• The price freeze on 24-month plans.
• Tesco-given credit and bundle allowances on prepay.
• Price changes on Tesco Mobile: no annual price increases on bill pay plans signed before December 2026.

What else should Tesco Mobile customers know before moving?

With Tesco Mobile, timing matters most. If you are in the €15 first year, moving saves little; once it reverts to €30, the saving is €17.01 a month. Count the cancellation charge if you are inside the term. Tesco's prepay refund rules are clear, with a phone number, a deadline and a fixed fee.

Tesco Mobile's code of practice and complaints process: www.tescomobile.ie ↗. Tesco Mobile code of practice.

• Tesco Mobile runs on Three’s network; Lidl Connect runs on eir’s.
• Tesco Elevate SIM is €15 a month for 12 months online, then €30, on a 12-month contract.
• Tesco prepay refunds cost €10 and must be claimed within 3 months by calling 1903.
• Tesco includes 36.95GB of EU roaming data on Elevate; Lidl Connect includes 50GB.

When is the best time to leave Tesco Mobile?

At the end of the 12-month minimum term. Before then, Tesco charges the monthly charges left, which on Elevate at €15 can outweigh what you save. After the term, 30 days' notice and no fee apply, and the price rises to €30, so the monthly gap to Lidl Connect grows to €17.01.