Lyca Mobile Pros and Cons: The British Phone Service in USA

If you’re from America then there’s a good chance you have not heard of Lyca Mobile (Lycamobile), that is because it is a British MVNO that operates in 23 different countries, including here in the USA. Lyca Mobile is best for those who are on the go, and what we mean by on the go is international travel. They specialize in affordable cell phone plans best for calls and texts both in and out of multiple countries. If you’re a big traveler and in need of service but don’t want to pay big bucks you might have come to the right place. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs, the pros and cons of Lyca Mobile and what they offer. Here’s what to expect:

• A Quick Look at Lyca Mobile
• Lyca Mobile’s Coverage
• Their Plans and Prices
• Services and Features provided
• Lyca Mobile Pros and Cons
• How to Contact their Customer Service
• Review Summary

Quick Look: Lyca Mobile

Since Lyca Mobile is based out of the country, you might be curious to know a bit about them. Well for starters they operate in 23 countries and offer pay-as-you-go SIMs. SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module, this tiny micro card is the technology that allows users to make and receive calls and texts, connect to your wireless network’s cell towers which gives you access to data, and can even carry a previous phone’s information like contacts, apps, and notes. Lyca forms partnerships with network providers in each country it operates in.

In the intro we said Lyca Mobile is a MVNO, an MVNO is a mobile virtual network operator. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Since Lyca Mobile is internationally based, they work with many major networks, and for the USA it’s T-Mobile.

A REALLY Tip: MVNO Edition

If you are unfamiliar with MVNO’s, you should know that they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. 

• Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

• Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Lyca Mobile’s Coverage

We know Lyca Mobile get their coverage via T-Mobile in the US, let’s talk a look at T-Mobile’s coverage:

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G coverage which is a huge feat considering more and more people are upgrading to 5G capable phones, and 5G is our current best system for wireless communication. T-Mobile offers consistent speeds and widespread coverage which is nice to see as we look into further 5G technologies like  5G+, 5G Advanced, Ultra Wide-Band, and more.

Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker. (Always check with the website and coverage map to see what the network looks like in your area so you can see if you are also in for that lovely 5G).

One feature you’ll find on most provider’s websites is a “Coverage” or “Coverage Map” tab, this shows off the network’s coverage all throughout the country and subsequent regions. This is T-Mobile’s Coverage Map:

With T-Mobile’s coverage map(s) the more you zoom in the more you can see what kind of service is available in your area, here’s a close look at New York, Pennsylvania, and the Northeastern United States:

Or take a look at Lyca Mobile’s Coverage Map here.

And if you need any more data Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Lyca Mobile’s Plans and Prices

Lyca Mobile has eight phone plans to choose from, six “limited” data plans and two unlimited data plans. You can get up to 5 lines on any Lyca Mobile phone plan. The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Lyca Mobile constantly has sales, deals, and discounts going on year-round so make sure to take a look at those price drop offers.

Plan One: (500MB) $15 Plan

This plan gets you 500MB of data only for $15 for 30 days. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

The plan costs $15 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 500MB of data at $0.03 per MB. 

Plan Two: (3GB) $19 Unlimited International Plan

This plan gets you 3GB of data up to 5G speeds for $19 for 30 days. However right now (as of December 2024) it is on sale for only $10 for 30 days which is a 47% discount. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

The full-price plan costs $19 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 3GB of data at $6.33 per GB. The sale price is $10 for 30 days and that gets you 3GB of data at $3.33 per GB.

Plan Three: (5GB) $23 Unlimited International Plan

This plan gets you 5GB of data up to 5G speeds for $23.00 for 30 days. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

The plan costs $23.00 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 5GB of data at $4.60 per GB. 

Plan Four: (10+2GB) $29 Unlimited International Plan

This plan gets you 10GB of data up to 5G speeds and a bonus 2GB of data for $29.00 for 30 days. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

The plan costs $29.00 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 10+2GB (12 total) of data at $2.42 per GB. (Advertised as “Limited Time Offer”).

Plan Five: (12+3GB) $33 High Data Plan

This plan gets you 12GB of data up to 5G speeds and a bonus 3GB of data for $33.00 for 30 days. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

This plan also comes with Immediate Activation with eSIM.

The plan costs $33.00 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 12+3GB (15 total) of data at $2.20 per GB. 

Plan Six: (15+5GB) $39 Unlimited International Plan

This plan gets you 15GB of data up to 5G speeds and a bonus 5GB of data for $39.00 for 30 days. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

The plan costs $39.00 for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 15+5GB (20 total) of data at $1.95 per GB. (Advertised as “Limited Time Offer”).

Plan Seven: (Unlimited Data) Unlimited Plus

This is Lyca Mobile’s first unlimited plan which gets you 40GB of high-speed data for $49.00 for 30 days or $24.50 for the six month promo price. Data slows down to 2G speeds after the 40GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Includes 10GB of High-Speed Hotspot Data. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

This plan also comes with Immediate Activation with eSIM.

The promo price for six months for this plan costs $24.50 ($49.00 at full price) for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 40GB of high-speed data at $0.62 per GB using the promo price. 

Plan Eight: (Unlimited Data) Unlimited Pro

This is Lyca Mobile’s second unlimited plan which gets you 60GB of high-speed data for $59.00 for 30 days or $29.50 for the six month promo price. Data slows down to 2G speeds after the 60GB allotment. Includes 10GB of High-Speed Hotspot Data. You get unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. 

This plan also comes with Immediate Activation with eSIM.

The promo price for six months for this plan costs $29.50 ($59.00 at full price) for 30 days for one line. At this rate, you get 60GB of high-speed data at $0.49 per GB using the promo price. 

Lyca Mobile’s Features

While this carrier offers pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick this one over another. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get: 

• Domestic Roaming Data

• Lyca Mobile does not offer this feature.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• Lyca Mobile’s plans come with Free Talk & Text in Mexico and Canada on $19 plan and higher.

• International Connection

• Each of Lyca Mobile’s plans offer unlimited national calls and SMS. Along with unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries.

• Video Streaming Quality

• Their plans offer up to 480p SD resolution when streaming.

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Lyca Mobile does not offer these features.

• Device Financing

• Lyca Mobile does not offer this feature.

• WiFi Calling

• Lyca offers WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

• Spam Protection and Free Trial

• Lyca Mobile does not offer these features.

Lyca Mobile Pros and Cons

We’ve taken a look at Lyca Mobile’s coverage, plans, prices, and features. Now let’s dive into the pros and cons to help narrow down your decision:

👍Pros:

• Access to the biggest wireless 5G network
• Offers both limited and unlimited data plan options
• Great for international use
• No contract plans
• Easy to renew current plan(s)

👍Lyca Mobile is on T-Mobile’s Network

When you sign up for a Lyca Mobile plan you have access to and are using T-Mobile’s wireless network leader in 5G coverage, so if you have a 5G capable phone and are in the US, this is a big pro.

👍Lyca Mobile has Limited and Unlimited Data Plans

A lot of cell carriers now only have unlimited data options, but not everyone needs that, especially when you’re traveling. Some only need a few gigs for the month before they head out to their next destination. With Lyca Mobile you get your choice of a 500MB, 3GB, 5GB, 10+2GB (12 total), 12+3GB (15 total), 15+5GB (20 total), or their Unlimited data plans which gets you 40GB and 60GB of high-speed data respectively. This means both low-data and heavy-data users can get the choice that best fits their needs.

👍Lyca Mobile’s Plans is Best for: Travelers

There’s a reason Lyca Mobile is advertised as a traveler-friendly phone service. With every plan, no matter the size, you get unlimited national calls and SMS, and unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. This is great for those on their own soul-searching journey traveling around to many different places that want to stay connected.

👍No Contract Plans

When it comes to wireless, there are a lot of carriers that require you to sign a contract in order to use their service. With Lyca Mobile you won’t ever have to worry about a contract and that means you won't be tied down to the provider if you’re unhappy with the way your service is going. A lot of people look for no-contract plans, so this is definitely a pro in their column.

👍Easy to Renew Plans

Lyca Mobile keeps things flexible so you never have to scramble to keep up with your phone service needs. You can renew your current plan if you plan to travel longer, add a new one, or re-up another.

👎Cons

• Subject to Data Deprioritization
• Reports of bad customer service

👎Lyca Mobile’s Plans are Subject to Data Deprioritization

With every plan from Lyca Mobile you will be subject to data deprioritization which means your data speeds could be inconsistent when you’re out in public not on wifi. This can cause some frustration for those who frequently use their phone away from wifi as there is normally an inconsistency with data deprioritization- and for travelers this could be a huge con.

👎Reports of Bad Customer Service

There have been many reports from customers stating that Lyca Mobile’s customer service is bad and unhelpful, which if true, could mean a world of a headache especially when you’re traveling and in need of help if your phone plan starts acting up. There is a Reddit Thread detailing the Lycamobile USA Experience where many have shared their experiences have been less-than ideal.

Lyca Mobile’s Customer Service

Lyca Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. For help or support online and over the phone you can call from any phone 1-866-277-3221, from another phone or abroad call 1-845-301-1612, or from your Lyca Mobile Phone Number dial (612). They are open Mon-Sat 09:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST and Sunday 10:00 AM to 08:00 PM EST. They also have a Live Bot on their website for quick-question assistance.

Review Summary

Lyca Mobile is one of the most flexible phone carriers for frequent travelers, however those who are just looking for a carrier and don’t plan to travel, we think it best you look somewhere else that’s less focused on international use.

Want to compare other carriers?

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And if you want to compare and contrast Lyca Mobile to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.