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51 articles
You signed up for unlimited data. You're paying a premium for it. So why does your Netflix buffer every evening and your Spotify stutter on the commute? The answer is buried in the small print, and it's costing British consumers dearly.
Your phone proudly flashes '5G' in the corner of the screen, yet pages load at the speed of a wet bank holiday weekend. We investigate why millions of UK customers are paying premium prices for a network experience that feels suspiciously familiar to 2012. The answer lies in a technical distinction the networks really don't want to talk about.
When serious criminal cases involve encrypted smartphones, it throws a spotlight on a corner of the mobile market most people never knew existed. We look at what these devices actually are, how they work, and why law enforcement finds them so difficult to crack.
You plug your phone in at 100%, wake up eight hours later, and it's already down to 78%. No calls, no streaming — so where did that charge go? We dug into the murky world of background network activity, firmware scheduling, and carrier-side processes to find out who's really responsible.
Millions of Brits hand back old smartphones every year believing they'll be responsibly recycled or refurbished. The reality is considerably grimmer. We trace the journey of traded-in devices from UK high streets to overseas dumping grounds — and identify which retailers and networks are actually doing it properly.
Millions of UK commuters are shelling out for 5G tariffs every month, yet the moment they board a train or step onto a bus, that blazing-fast connection disappears entirely. We dug into Ofcom data, spoke to frustrated commuters, and crunched the numbers on just how much this phantom service is actually costing British workers each year.
Mobile number portability promised British consumers the freedom to switch networks without losing their phone number — a genuinely radical idea when it launched three decades ago. But in 2025, a combination of deliberate friction, opaque processes, and regulatory gaps means that promise has been significantly hollowed out, and the people paying the highest price are often those who can least afford it.
You're paying up to £50 a month for mobile coverage that disappears the moment you step through your front door. Ofcom's own data reveals a yawning chasm between the glossy coverage maps networks publish and the reality of trying to make a phone call from your kitchen. We dig into why Britain's homes are signal black holes — and what you can actually do about it.
A five-minute phone call to your mobile network is all it takes for a fraudster to hijack your phone number, bypass your bank's security, and drain your accounts. SIM-swap fraud is surging across the UK, and the frightening truth is that the networks meant to protect you are often the weakest link in the chain. Here's everything you need to know before it happens to you.
Most of us tick 'I agree' without a second glance, but buried inside your standard UK mobile contract are clauses that can cost you hundreds, trap you in deals you never knowingly agreed to extend, and leave you with surprisingly little legal recourse. We've done the reading so you don't have to.
Your network's coverage map shows a confident splash of colour right over your postcode — so why can't you make a phone call from your own sofa? We dig into the murky world of indoor signal, Ofcom's toothless obligations, and the workarounds your network quietly hopes you'll never find.
Millions of Britons are paying full whack for mobile contracts that deliver little more than a flickering bar of signal the moment they step through their front door. From Victorian terraces to modern double-glazed new builds, the UK's housing stock is quietly killing your mobile connection — and your network almost certainly won't tell you. We investigate what you're actually entitled to, and how to fight back.
Family phone plans sound like a no-brainer — one account, shared data, and a discount for sticking together. But scratch beneath the surface of what UK networks are actually selling and the promised savings have a habit of evaporating into exit fees, mismatched upgrade dates, and data-sharing rules that benefit the network far more than the family. We run the numbers, expose the traps, and work out whether going it alone might actually be the smarter play in 2025.
Britain's mobile networks love talking up their green credentials, and phone takeback schemes sit front and centre of those sustainability pledges. But what actually happens to your old handset once it disappears behind the counter? The answer is murkier — and potentially more dangerous — than the recycling brochures suggest.
Your network's coverage map might show a healthy blob of colour over your postcode, but step inside your own front door and that signal can vanish entirely. We investigate why indoor reception is the dirty secret UK networks and Ofcom would rather not discuss — and what it's actually costing you.
British holidaymakers are returning from dream vacations to nightmare phone bills, with some facing charges that exceed their mortgage payments. Our investigation reveals which destinations are the most dangerous for your wallet and how to protect yourself.
Our exclusive testing reveals how Britain's major mobile networks quietly slash your connection speeds during busy periods, leaving commuters and evening users with fraction of the performance they're paying for. The results might surprise you.
UK mobile network apps use sophisticated psychological tricks to prevent customers from downgrading or cancelling services. Our investigation reveals the hidden dark patterns designed to frustrate users into staying on expensive plans.
Millions of UK mobile customers discover their network's emergency coverage promises are worthless when they actually need to call 999. Despite regulatory requirements and roaming agreements, critical calls are failing across Britain's coverage blackspots.
UK mobile networks are advertising eye-catching trade-in values to entice upgrades, then slashing offers at the last minute. We expose the tactics being used to devalue your old phone and reveal where you can get genuine returns.
While EE, Vodafone, and Three quietly reintroduced European roaming charges, smaller networks are still offering unlimited EU usage as standard. We reveal which MVNOs provide the best post-Brexit travel deals.
Your phone proudly displays "5G" but that YouTube video still won't load on the 7:42 to London. We investigated why Britain's mobile networks are showing full signal strength while delivering dial-up speeds during rush hour.
The days of being trapped by your mobile provider are officially over, but some networks are still playing dirty tricks. We tested the new switching rules to see which operators are genuinely making it easy to leave.
Wi-Fi calling fixes poor signal, but at what privacy cost? We decode exactly what data EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three collect when your calls route through your home broadband—and whether you should be concerned.
Millions of UK households continue paying for landlines they haven't touched in years, trapped in bundles that telecoms providers refuse to let die. With the 2025 PSTN switch-off looming, we investigate how to finally cut this costly cord.
Millions of Brits struggle with poor indoor signal while their phones already have the solution buried in settings. Wi-Fi calling could solve reception problems instantly, but networks prefer selling expensive boosters instead.
Traditional voicemail has become a digital wasteland of scams and hidden charges across UK networks. Most Brits ignore it completely, making it the perfect target for premium-rate fraud.
From 'Essential' to 'Ultimate', mobile networks are masters of disguising identical services with fancy names. We reveal how meaningless tier branding is costing British consumers hundreds annually.
British consumers are upgrading their smartphones every 24 months on average, despite handsets lasting 5+ years. We investigate the sales psychology and marketing tricks pushing unnecessary upgrades that cost families hundreds annually whilst creating mountains of electronic waste.
Physical SIM cards are vanishing faster than you might think, with major manufacturers already ditching the humble plastic chip. But what does this mean for British mobile users who've grown accustomed to popping their SIM into any unlocked phone?
Despite regulatory crackdowns, premium rate SMS subscriptions continue to drain millions from unsuspecting UK consumers through misleading mobile adverts and dubious consent mechanisms. Here's how to spot, stop, and reclaim these phantom charges.
From pushy sales tactics to claim rejection rates that would make a casino blush, we investigate whether mobile phone insurance actually protects consumers or just network profits. The results might surprise you.
A major three-day transportation technology conference in San Antonio is set to showcase innovations that could reshape how UK mobile networks approach connected vehicle infrastructure. The event highlights the growing convergence between telecommunications and transport sectors.
With casino-style gaming apps flooding UK app stores, consumers need to understand the warning signs of predatory monetisation. We explore how to identify problematic features and protect yourself from excessive spending.
Dodgy casino apps promising free spins are flooding UK app stores, targeting mobile users with sophisticated scams. Phone Week investigates how these apps bypass security measures and what you can do to protect yourself.
Understanding APR could save you hundreds on your next mobile contract. We break down what APR means, why UK networks use it, and how to spot the real cost of that shiny new handset deal.
Samsung finds itself embroiled in a significant patent dispute that could impact its Galaxy smartphone lineup. The legal challenge highlights the complex web of intellectual property rights that govern modern mobile technology.
Millions of UK consumers are paying hefty premiums for 5G contracts that rarely deliver true 5G speeds. Our investigation reveals the shocking reality behind network promises and what you're actually getting for your money.
Think that coverage map showing solid signal in your area is telling you the truth? Think again. We investigate how UK mobile networks are painting a rosier picture than reality delivers, leaving millions of Brits stuck with dodgy connections they never signed up for.
Despite paying premium prices for 4G and 5G services, millions of UK commuters face daily digital blackouts on their journey to work. An investigation reveals the stark reality behind network coverage promises and what's being done to fix Britain's underground connectivity crisis.
UK mobile networks are charging loyal customers hundreds more per year than new sign-ups for identical services. Our investigation reveals the shocking price gaps and how to fight back against the loyalty penalty.
Ofcom promised text-to-switch would make changing networks effortless, yet British consumers still face deliberate roadblocks when trying to leave. From mysterious delays to aggressive retention tactics, we expose the tricks keeping you locked in.
That familiar quartet of bars at the top of your screen might be fibbing about your actual connection quality. We dive into why signal strength indicators are misleading UK mobile users and what you can do about it.
Three years after Brexit ended free EU roaming, UK networks are making a fortune from confused holidaymakers. We reveal which operators are the worst offenders and how to dodge their sneaky charges.
Brexit promised freedom, but for mobile users it's meant a return to eye-watering roaming charges. We've crunched the numbers on what Britain's major networks are charging for European holidays, and the results might surprise you.
UK mobile networks are offering trade-in values that fall drastically short of what your handset could fetch on the open market. Our investigation reveals how much money you're leaving on the table when you hand over your old device to EE, O2, or Three.
UK mobile networks are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to keep customers locked in, from Byzantine termination fees to deliberately confusing upgrade paths. We investigate the roadblocks and reveal how savvy consumers can still break free.
Whilst city dwellers enjoy blazing 5G speeds, thousands of UK communities remain stuck in the digital slow lane. We investigate which areas are being left behind and why the government's connectivity promises aren't reaching everyone.
With handset contracts often costing twice as much as SIM-only alternatives, we crunch the numbers on EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three's latest offerings. Our analysis reveals which approach actually saves money for different types of UK mobile users.
Millions of UK smartphone users are unwittingly carrying digital security risks in their pockets. With major manufacturers cutting support for older devices, we investigate what happens when your phone stops receiving critical security patches and why the NCSC is increasingly concerned.
Ever wondered why your supposedly unlimited data plan feels anything but? We've investigated how Britain's biggest mobile operators are quietly managing your connection speeds – and discovered some eye-opening practices that might explain your buffering woes.