The fintech revolution extends beyond banking as major neobanks move aggressively into mobile telecommunications
April 30, 2025 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Revolut Announces Comprehensive Mobile Plans
In a bold move that directly challenges traditional mobile network operators, Revolut has announced the upcoming launch of their new Mobile Plans. The global fintech giant, which now boasts over 50 million customers worldwide, is set to offer unlimited texts, calls, and domestic data, alongside a generous 20GB roaming allowance across Europe and the United States.
Set to launch first in the UK and Germany with additional markets to follow, Revolut's Mobile Plans will operate without fixed contract commitments – a significant departure from the long-term contracts typically offered by established telecoms providers.
Early adopters who join the waitlist will be eligible for an introductory monthly rate of just £12.50, positioning Revolut as an aggressively priced competitor in the mobile services market.
User-Friendly Implementation
Revolut has designed their Mobile Plans with user convenience in mind. Customers will have the flexibility to:
- Keep their existing phone number through a seamless porting process
- Select a new Revolut-provided number if preferred
- Activate their plan within minutes through the Revolut app
- Track usage and manage account settings through intuitive in-app controls
The service will be deeply integrated into Revolut's existing app infrastructure, offering what the company describes as "an unprecedented user experience versus traditional network providers."
Building on eSIM Success
This move into full mobile connectivity isn't Revolut's first venture into telecommunications. In 2024, the fintech became one of the first UK financial institutions to offer global eSIMs for international travelers. That offering has proven extremely popular, with millions of data plans created and used across more than 100 locations worldwide.
According to Revolut, eSIM has become their number one non-banking product in terms of usage, demonstrating significant customer demand for integrated telecommunications services.
N26 Following Suit with May eSIM Launch
In what appears to be an emerging trend among neobanks, German digital bank N26 is also planning to enter the telecommunications space. According to N26 CEO Valentin Stalf in a recent Bloomberg interview, the bank plans to launch its own mobile phone tariff in May 2025.
This move aligns with N26's strategy to enter new business areas and fuel further growth. The bank is simultaneously planning expansion into Eastern European markets, with Romania specifically mentioned as a target country.
Neobanks Disrupting Yet Another Industry
These developments confirm the trend we explored in our previous article about eSIM offerings from neobanks, which examined how digital banks are leveraging their technological infrastructure and customer relationships to disrupt traditional telecommunications services.
As we predicted, neobanks are finding telecommunications to be a natural extension of their service offerings. The integration of financial and connectivity services creates a more comprehensive ecosystem that increases customer engagement and loyalty.
Revolut's Vision for Telecom Disruption
Hadi Nasrallah, General Manager, Telco and Retail Director at Revolut, explained the company's strategy: "The massive success of our eSIM product has proven mobile offerings are ripe for disruption. In our view, consumers are suffering with traditional network offerings due to a lack of transparency with hidden fees, painful customer experience and old, difficult to navigate UX."
Nasrallah added, "We're looking to solve all three, providing Revolut customers with a tech-led experience, the best value and no fixed contract commitments. It's yet another step for Revolut into the consumer telecommunications arena where innovation is desperately overdue and we look forward to bringing this update to consumers in more markets soon."
Integration with Revolut's Ecosystem
Revolut's Mobile Plans will be integrated with the company's broader lifestyle and travel offerings. Notably, customers will be able to pay for their plans using RevPoints, Revolut's loyalty scheme that rewards users for purchases.
This integration creates a cohesive ecosystem where banking, payments, rewards, and now telecommunications services work seamlessly together. Other components of this ecosystem include:
- Hotel and experience booking services covering 1.9 million accommodations and 300,000+ experiences
- Global eSIM connectivity in over 100 countries
- Lounge access for eligible plan holders
- RevPoints loyalty program
Market Implications
With both Revolut and N26 entering the mobile services space, traditional telecom providers face significant new challenges. These neobanks bring several competitive advantages:
- Existing customer relationships: With tens of millions of customers already using their banking services, conversion to telecom services has lower acquisition costs
- Digital-first infrastructure: Built without legacy systems, allowing for more efficient operations and lower overhead
- Data-driven personalization: Advanced analytics capabilities to tailor offerings to individual usage patterns
- Integrated ecosystem: The ability to bundle services and create loyalty across multiple product lines
What This Means for Consumers
For consumers, the entry of neobanks into telecommunications represents a potential win through:
- Lower prices and more transparent pricing models
- Elimination of fixed contract commitments
- Simplified user experience through integrated app management
- Rewards program integration
- Seamless international usage through generous roaming allowances
What's Next?
Revolut has indicated that their Mobile Plans will initially launch in the UK and Germany later this year, with operating partners yet to be confirmed. The company has expressed intentions to bring the service to additional markets in the future.
As for N26, their May eSIM launch will be watched closely to see how it compares with Revolut's offering and whether it signals the beginning of a broader telecommunications strategy.
One thing seems certain: the line between financial services providers and telecommunications companies is blurring, creating new competitive dynamics that stand to benefit consumers through increased competition and innovation.
For more on how neobanks are revolutionizing mobile connectivity, see our in-depth analysis: eSIM & Neobanks: The Mobile Revolution