Monzo enters mobile market with Virgin Media O2

By Milan Rojan

Monzo has launched Monzo Mobile, an eSIM-only service for UK customers, through a partnership with Virgin Media O2. The move marks the bank‘s expansion beyond financial services into telecom services.

The digital bank has said the service has offered three mobile plans managed through the Monzo app. Customers have received 5G connectivity, unlimited calls and texts, and coverage across 99% of the UK population through Virgin Media O2’s network. On its launch page, Monzo has described the offering as “the mobile network that rewards staying, not switching” and has said the service has been available to UK residents aged 18 and above with an active Monzo current account.

The company has also said customers have been able to switch plans or cancel at any time without additional charges. Selected plans have included roaming, while add-ons have provided access across more than 100 countries. Customers have also been able to track mobile spending within the app alongside banking activity.

According to Monzo, the mobile service has been designed to integrate mobile account management into the existing Monzo app experience. The company’s press page has stated that Monzo serves more than 15 million personal and business customers.

Virgin Media O2 has provided the network infrastructure supporting the service, while telecommunications technology provider 1GLOBAL has powered the eSIM proposition.

Misha Patel, Chief Product Officer at Monzo, said, “We know there’s a lot of frustration with traditional mobile providers. Monzo Mobile is designed to give customers a mobile experience that is simple, transparent and managed entirely from the Monzo app.”

The service has been scheduled for launch in summer 2026. Customers have been able to join a waitlist through the Monzo app ahead of wider availability.