Lycamobile is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator - a carrier that rents bandwidth on the big four networks and resells it at a lower cost).
Lycamobile operates on the nationwide T-Mobile network. Founded in 2006, Lyca is based in the UK and launched its US mobile service in 2013.
Lycamobile offers a unique spin on typical cell phone plans by catering to those with heavy international calling needs. The prepaid carrier offers several plan options at various data levels, all of which include international talk and text. You can buy your plan online or at select retail stores.
Lyca also offers a rare feature among MVNOs, which we'll talk about in just a minute. So stay tuned for our full Lycamobile review to see if this T-Mobile MVNO fits your needs!
Lycamobile Review
Lyca Mobile Highlights
- Coverage on the nationwide T-Mobile network
- Prepaid service - no contract or credit check
- Free SIM card with plan purchase
- Bring your own phone
- Keep your phone number
- International calling is included with all plans
- International roaming rates available on carrier website
- Multilingual customer service via phone from 11am - 8pm EST Monday - Saturday
Lycamobile Prepaid Plans
| Plan | Mins/Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyca Mobile - 1GB Data | Unltd/Unltd | 1GB | $19 |
| Lyca Mobile - 2GB Data | Unltd/Unltd | 2GB | $23 |
| Lyca Mobile - 5GB Data | Unltd/Unltd | 5GB | $29 |
| Lyca Mobile - 7GB Data | Unltd/Unltd | 7GB | $35 |
| Lyca Mobile - 15GB Data | Unltd/Unltd | 15GB | $39 |
| Lyca Mobile - Unlimited Data | Unltd/Unltd | Unltd | $50 |
You have seven plans to choose from at this time, ranging from 1GB all the way up to unlimited 4G data. All plans include unlimited data at reduced speeds after your allotment is used up.
All Lycamobile plans also include unlimited talk and text to over 75 countries. Select plans include an international calling credit for countries not included for free.
Yet another great feature of Lyca is their family plan. The more lines you add, the cheaper each one gets. Every line gets 10GB of high-speed data per month plus unlimited talk and text to 60+ countries.
One thing to consider is that Lycamobile plans do not permit you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
If you find that Lycamobile doesn't have exactly what you want, head over and compare cell phone plans from other carriers.
Lycamobile Savings
T-Mobile vs Lyca Mobile Price Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $492 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Lyca Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | 5GB | $29/mo | $348/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $41/mo | $492/yr | |
Lycamobile Coverage
Lycamobile gives you mobile coverage on the reliable nationwide T-Mobile network. They'll verify that you're covered when you sign up for service, however, you can also look at our Lycamobile coverage map to get a sneak peek.
Now it's time to talk about that rare gem of a feature Lycamobile offers that's almost unheard of with most MVNOs - roaming on other networks within the US. Select plans include coverage on one of the other big four networks if you roam out of the T-Mobile coverage area. Read the fine print, though - national roaming isn't included on all plans.
Lycamobile Cell Phone Plans
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | No |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Unlimited in 70+ countries |
| Money Back Guarantee | No |
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | No |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Unlimited in 70+ countries |
| Money Back Guarantee | No |
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | No |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Unlimited in 70+ countries |
| Money Back Guarantee | No |
Lycamobile Phone Deals
Lycamobile is mostly a bring your own phone carrier. You can purchase a device through a third-party partner accessible from the Lycamobile website, however, Lyca assumes no responsibility for these purchases.
You can also keep an eye on Lycamobile promotions. For example, at the time of this writing, they're offering a free lower-end Samsung model if you buy six months of service at once.
Both T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM networks. If you have a device compatible with either of these carriers you should be able to bring it over to Lycamobile. You'll verify compatibility when you sign up. If you buy your plan through a retailer you can check compatibility on the website beforehand.
If you don't already have a compatible phone, another great option is to use our cell phone comparison tool and then shop refurbished Lycamobile cell phones to find sweet deals on top smartphone models.
Key Considerations
Your decision to choose this carrier comes down to asking yourself a few vital questions:
- Does the T-Mobile network provide coverage in your area?
- Do you need international calling and texting at affordable rates?
- Do you need an affordable family plan option?
- Are you looking for unlimited data?
- Are you going to bring your own phone or buy one?
Recap
Lycamobile has some unbeatable deals for people who need cheap international mobile service. While their website is a bit cluttered and confusing, if you know exactly what you're looking for you should have no problem. Overall it's a good value for service on the reliable T-Mobile network.
Don't forget to check out top quality refurbished smartphones for a fantastic deal on your next device.
