The new year is a time for getting in touch with family and friends, and arranging precious time with those you love - but those long conversations can mount up at what is already an expensive time of year.
Now Tesco Mobile has just made it a lot easier to stay in touch.
Whether you're arranging an evening of mulled wine and mince pies, or sorting out the fine details of who is going to cook what, Tesco Mobile's new Pay as you go Essentials tariff makes it simpler and more affordable for families to stay in touch over the festive season.
There's nothing like keeping in touch with loved ones at this time of year, and Tesco Mobile has just made it easier.
The new flexible top-up tariff is built for families to have full control over what they spend in the festive season - and beyond.
Users can simply add bundles of data, minutes and text to suit their needs, whether they're WhatsApping friends to arrange a new year's meet-up, or calling Mum to say when they will arrive home.
For Tesco Clubcard users it's even better, with Essentials users getting Clubcard points for every £1 they spend by linking a Clubcard to their account.
Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile said: 'Pay as you go Essentials is designed to give customers exactly what matters most: dependable coverage, the right balance of data, texts and minutes, and the added bonus of Clubcard points every time they top up.
'Plus, they can use their UK allowance in 48 EU destinations at no extra cost, stay in control with our new app, and enjoy crystal-clear calls with 4G and 5G calling across the UK.'
Staying in touch this year
Essentials replaces existing Tesco Mobile tariffs including Rocket Pack, Triple Credit and Lite tariffs for all existing customers.
All customers will be notified by a text message ahead of their move onto the new tariff: existing pay as you go customers will be automatically assigned a bundle based on their average monthly usage.
If you have not already received a text notification, you will receive one soon.
You either need to opt-in to the bundle they've been moved onto, or simply select a different bundle.
You can select the right bundle for you based on your data, text and phone usage: it will auto-renew every 30 days using the available top-up balance on your account.
If you don't fancy using a bundle, you can change and cancel at any time, or if you'd prefer, you can continue to use top-up balance for calls, texts and data at the standard rate: 25p per minute, 10p per text, 10p per MB.
To link your Clubcard to Essentials and get rewarded for every pound you spend, simply text the word CLUBCARD to 28578, free from your Tesco Mobile phone.
New year wishes: Tell them you're thinking of them
Which bundle is right for you?
There are five bundles to choose from, so you always have control over how much you are spending.
All bundles over £10 also include unlimited minutes and texts (If you're an existing customer, you need to opt-in to a bundle before your free 30-day bundle ends).
Doing so means that your minutes, texts and data allowances will automatically refresh every 30 days from your available top-up balance.
The bundles range from £5 (minimum £10 top-up at activation) to £30, and all bundles over £10 include unlimited minutes and texts.
And for a limited time, Tesco Mobile customers can collect 500 Clubcard points every time they add a £15 Pay as you go Essentials bundle* when they link their Clubcard within the first 28 days of adding the bundle. Clubcard points will be automatically issued within 30 days.
Managing your account
The Tesco Mobile app is now the best way to manage your bundles, check usage, top-up, or change your auto-renew settings.
Older Tesco Mobile pay as you go apps will no longer work, and pay as you go customers will need to upgrade to the Tesco Mobile app.
Clearer calls
You’ll also enjoy clearer-sounding calls with Essential, as Tesco Essential customers can now use their connection to make and receive calls over the 4G network.
To take advantage of this, you can simply turn on 4G calling in your phone’s network settings.
With 3G networks set to be switched off, 4G calling (also known as VoLTE) offers a way to make clear, reliable calls wherever you are.
Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile said: 'For the first time, our pay as you go customers also can enjoy 4G Calling (VoLTE), giving them clearer calls and more reliable coverage wherever they are in the UK.'
To learn more about Tesco Mobile's pay as you go Essentials visit the Tesco Mobile website: https://www.tescomobile.com/no-contract-sim
*Offer ends 01/02/2026. See Terms And Conditions for full terms.