MVNO vs MNO in plain English
An MNO owns the radio. An MVNO sells the SIM on top of it. Brand and network are often different things. Two plans can feel the same on coverage and look nothing like each other on the bill.
In Ireland there are three host radios: Vodafone, Three, Eir. Everyone else on our ranking rides one of those three.
Irish host-network map, August 2026
Retailer, kind, cheap unlimited on that radio, and the lead plan we quote.
| Retailer | Kind | Host radio | Lead plan from | Contract | eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | MVNO | Three network | €12.99 | Rolling monthly | No |
| Clear Mobile | MVNO | Vodafone network | €12.99 | Rolling monthly | No |
| GoMo | MVNO | Eir network | €12.99 | Rolling monthly | Yes |
| Sky Mobile | MVNO | Vodafone network | €12.99 | 12 months | Yes |
| Virgin Media | MVNO | Three network | €15 | 12 months | No |
| Vodafone | MNO | Vodafone network | €15 | 12 months | Yes |
| Tesco Mobile | MVNO | Three network | €15 | 12 months | No |
| Three | MNO | Three network | €20 | 12 months | Yes |
| Lycamobile | MVNO | Eir network | €12.99 | 28-day prepay | Yes |
| Eir Mobile | MNO | Eir network | €14.99 | Rolling monthly | Yes |
| An Post Mobile | MVNO | Vodafone network | €18 | 28-day prepay | No |
Three network. Owns the masts: Three. SIMs on this radio: 48, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile. Cheap unlimited: 48.
Vodafone network. Owns the masts: Vodafone. SIMs on this radio: Clear Mobile, Sky Mobile, An Post Mobile. Cheap unlimited: Clear.
Eir network. Owns the masts: Eir Mobile. SIMs on this radio: GoMo, Lycamobile. Cheap unlimited: GoMo.
Why this matters for your bill
Once you know the host, you can stop paying a brand premium for the same signal. Three owns the radio 48 uses. 48’s unlimited 5G is €12.99 rolling. Three Freedom is €14 for six months then €28 on a 24-month term. Same masts, different thereafter.
Same story on Vodafone with Clear vs Vodafone Red, and on Eir with GoMo vs Eir Connect (€14.99 then €29.99).
The three-way at the cheap floor: 48 vs GoMo vs Clear.
How to choose by host network
- Check which host works at home and on the commute. Walk the rooms with Wi-Fi off, or ask a neighbour on that network.
- Take the cheapest unlimited SIM on that radio: 48 (Three), Clear (Vodafone), GoMo (Eir).
- Pay the MNO extra only if you want that account, a bundle, or a feature the MVNO does not sell.
Start with best mobile in Ireland, then how to switch and keep your number.
