Revolut and Lidl Connect launch low‑cost MVNO plans in Ireland

Revolut and Lidl have entered the Irish mobile market with low‑price MVNO offers that include unlimited 5G‑ready data, calls and texts.

Both operators are using existing network infrastructure – Revolut through a partner called Gigs and Lidl Connect on the Eir network – avoiding the need for costly new towers. Their plans also provide 20 GB of roaming data across the UK and the European Economic Area.

Lidl Connect introduced a lifetime introductory price of €8.99 a month for the first 100,000 customers, rising to €12.99 for later sign‑ups. The deal includes unlimited domestic 5G data, unlimited calls and texts to Irish and UK networks, 50 GB of EU and UK roaming data and 100 international minutes per month.

The Irish mobile sector remains dominated by three infrastructure owners – Eir, Three and Vodafone – who also host a range of other MVNOs such as An Post Mobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile. In addition, the major networks run their own low‑cost brands: Three operates 48 Mobile, Vodafone runs Clear Mobile and Eir offers GoMo.

Current sim‑only offers from the big three range from €14 to €20 a month, with price increases of €2.50 each April, highlighting the competitive pressure from the new low‑price entrants.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Efrem Efre / Pexels.