Ireland's three main budget mobile networks—GoMo, 48, and Clear Mobile—all promise great value. But which one is actually best? This comparison breaks down every difference to help you choose.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | GoMo | 48 | Clear Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €14.99 | €12.99 | €12.99-€14.99 |
| Data | 120GB | 200GB | Unlimited |
| Speed | Full (5G) | Full (5G) | 5Mbps cap |
| 5G | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Network | Eir | Three | Vodafone |
| EU Roaming | 16GB | 17GB | 19GB |
| VoLTE | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| WiFi Calling | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Activation Fee | €14.99 | Varies | €12.99-€14.99 |
The Bottom Line (TL;DR)
Best overall: 48 — Most data (200GB), lowest price (€12.99), includes 5G.
Best network coverage: GoMo — Eir network is strongest in rural Ireland.
Best for unlimited data: Clear Mobile — Only truly unlimited option, but speed is capped.
Best for roaming: Clear Mobile — 19GB EU data, plus VoLTE for call quality abroad.
Price Comparison
| Network | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | €12.99 | €155.88 |
| Clear Mobile | €12.99* | €155.88* |
| GoMo | €14.99 | €179.88 |
*Clear Mobile's €12.99 rate requires switching from GoMo, 48, Eir, Three, Tesco, or Sky. Otherwise €14.99.
Cheapest: 48 and Clear Mobile (if eligible for €12.99)
Annual saving vs GoMo: €24/year
Data Comparison
| Network | Data Allowance | Fair Use? |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | 200GB | No (hard limit) |
| GoMo | 120GB | Yes (may throttle after) |
| Clear Mobile | Unlimited | No cap at all |
What Does This Mean in Practice?
Average Irish user: ~13GB/month. All three networks are overkill.
Heavy user (50GB/month): All three are fine.
Power user (100GB+/month): 48 or Clear Mobile. GoMo's 120GB might feel tight.
Extreme user (200GB+/month): Only Clear Mobile guarantees no limits.
But Consider Speed...
Clear Mobile's "unlimited" comes at 5Mbps max speed. To use 200GB at 5Mbps would require streaming SD video nearly 24/7 for a month.
In reality, most people would struggle to use even 50GB at 5Mbps because everything takes longer.
Practical assessment: 48's 200GB at full speed is more usable than Clear Mobile's unlimited at 5Mbps for most use cases.
Speed Comparison
| Network | Max Speed | 5G |
|---|---|---|
| GoMo | 150-300Mbps (5G) | ✓ |
| 48 | 150-300Mbps (5G) | ✓ |
| Clear Mobile | 5Mbps | ✗ |
What 5Mbps Actually Means
| Activity | At 5Mbps |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp/messaging | Fine |
| Web browsing | Fine |
| Social media | Fine |
| Music streaming | Fine |
| SD video (480p) | Fine |
| HD video (1080p) | Buffers |
| 4K video | Not possible |
| Video calls | Variable quality |
| Large downloads | Very slow |
| Gaming | Latency issues |
Speed winner: GoMo and 48 (tied)
Network Coverage Comparison
| Network | Operator | 4G Coverage | 5G Coverage | Rural Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoMo | Eir | 99% | Growing | Strong |
| 48 | Three | 99% | Extensive | Moderate |
| Clear Mobile | Vodafone | 99% | N/A (4G only) | Variable |
Which Network Is Best Where?
Dublin/Cork/Galway/Limerick: All three work well. Three (48) often fastest in cities.
Rural Ireland: Eir (GoMo) traditionally strongest. Three (48) improved but still gaps. Vodafone (Clear) variable—some areas lost coverage when 3G switched off.
Motorways: Eir (GoMo) excellent. Three (48) good. Vodafone varies.
Indoor coverage: Clear Mobile's VoLTE and WiFi calling give it an edge for calls indoors.
Recommendation: Ask friends/family in your area which network works best, or check coverage maps before switching.
Roaming Comparison
| Network | EU Data | Roaming Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Mobile | 19GB | Good |
| 48 | 17GB | Mixed reviews |
| GoMo | 16GB | Generally good |
Roaming Reality Check
Clear Mobile: 19GB is generous. Vodafone's European partnerships are solid.
GoMo: 16GB is adequate. Most users report reliable roaming, though some have had issues.
48: 17GB data, but this is where complaints pile up. Many users report:
- Connection failures in UK/EU
- Slow speeds when roaming
- Need to restart phone repeatedly
If roaming matters: Clear Mobile or GoMo. Avoid 48 if you travel frequently.
Call Quality Comparison
| Network | VoLTE | WiFi Calling | Call Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Best |
| GoMo | ✗ | ✗ | Standard |
| 48 | ✗ | ✗ | Standard |
Why VoLTE Matters
Without VoLTE, calls use older 3G/2G networks:
- Slower call setup
- Lower audio quality
- Phone drops to 3G during calls (no data)
Clear Mobile's VoLTE means:
- HD voice quality
- Faster connection
- Data continues during calls
Why WiFi Calling Matters
If mobile signal is weak indoors, WiFi calling uses your broadband for calls. GoMo and 48 don't support this—Clear Mobile does.
Call quality winner: Clear Mobile
Customer Service Comparison
All three are online-only with no phone support:
| Network | Support Channels | User Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| GoMo | Chat, email, social | Mixed - slow responses |
| 48 | Chat, email, social | Mixed - slow responses |
| Clear Mobile | Chat, email, social | Mixed - slow responses |
Reality: None of these networks offer great customer service. If you need hand-holding, consider Tesco Mobile (in-store support) or a main network like Eir/Three/Vodafone.
Detailed Comparison by Use Case
Best for Heavy Data Users
Winner: 48
200GB at full speed beats Clear Mobile's unlimited at 5Mbps for practical use. You'd struggle to use 200GB before hitting speed limitations with Clear Mobile.
Best for Light Users
Winner: Clear Mobile or Lycamobile
If you use under 20GB/month, the "unlimited" peace of mind of Clear Mobile is nice. But Lycamobile at €10/month is even cheaper.
Best for Rural Ireland
Winner: GoMo
Eir's rural coverage historically outperforms Three and Vodafone. If you live outside major towns, test coverage before switching.
Best for City Dwellers
Winner: 48
Three's urban coverage and 5G are excellent. Cities are where 48 shines brightest.
Best for Frequent Travellers
Winner: Clear Mobile (or avoid budget networks entirely)
Clear Mobile has the most roaming data (19GB) and Vodafone's roaming partnerships are solid. 48's roaming complaints make it risky.
Best for Call Quality
Winner: Clear Mobile
VoLTE and WiFi calling give Clear Mobile a genuine advantage for voice calls, especially indoors.
Best for Gamers
Winner: GoMo or 48
Latency matters for gaming. Clear Mobile's speed cap introduces potential latency issues. Full-speed 5G (GoMo/48) is better for real-time gaming.
Best for Streaming Video
Winner: 48
200GB at full speed. Stream in 4K if you want. Clear Mobile caps you at SD quality in practice.
The Value Calculation
Cost per GB (theoretical):
| Network | Price | Data | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | €12.99 | 200GB | 6.5c |
| GoMo | €14.99 | 120GB | 12.5c |
| Clear Mobile | €14.99 | Unlimited | N/A |
Cost per Mbps (maximum speed):
| Network | Price | Speed | Per Mbps |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoMo | €14.99 | ~200Mbps | 7.5c |
| 48 | €12.99 | ~200Mbps | 6.5c |
| Clear Mobile | €14.99 | 5Mbps | €3.00 |
By this measure, 48 is objectively the best value. Clear Mobile's speed cap makes its "unlimited" data less valuable in practice.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose GoMo If:
- Eir has the best coverage in your area
- You want 5G on a reliable network
- You're happy with 120GB/month
- You don't travel frequently
- Price stability matters more than lowest price
Choose 48 If:
- You want the best value (most data for least money)
- Three coverage works in your area
- You want 5G at the lowest price
- You don't travel frequently (roaming issues)
- You use lots of data (up to 200GB)
Choose Clear Mobile If:
- You want truly unlimited data (no monitoring)
- 5Mbps speed is enough for your needs
- Call quality matters (VoLTE/WiFi calling)
- You travel frequently (best roaming)
- Vodafone coverage suits your area
Choose None of These If:
- You need phone customer support (try Tesco Mobile)
- Budget is ultra-tight (try Lycamobile at €10)
- You need maximum roaming reliability (consider main networks)
Our Recommendation
For most people: 48
48 offers the best combination of price (€12.99), data (200GB), and features (5G) for the average Irish user. The main caveat is roaming—if you travel frequently, GoMo or Clear Mobile may be safer bets.
Runner-up: GoMo
If Three coverage is weak in your area, or you've heard good things about Eir locally, GoMo is a solid €14.99 choice. The €24/year premium over 48 buys you Eir's network reliability.
Specialist pick: Clear Mobile
Only choose Clear Mobile if you specifically need VoLTE/WiFi calling, want unlimited data without thinking, and accept 5Mbps speeds. For most users, 48's 200GB at full speed is more practical.
Last updated: January 2026