Phone

[fearmeforiampink]

Right, I have an iPhone. I have had it for a year. I bought it on a pay as you go contract, as I looked at the costs of it on contract, and noted that I'm going to be spending enough for that to be worthwhile.

I am now reaching the end of the 12 months of free internet I get with the phone. If I stay on the current setup, they'll charge me £10 a month for internet. Therefore, I've started looking at what my options are regarding contracts. Here's the numbers:

Provider	Cost	Talk time	Internet	Texts	Length
Tesco Mobile	£15	500 minutes	500MB	Unlimited	Dunno
T Mobile	£10	100	Flexible Booster (1GB)	100	30 day
	£15	350	Flexible Booster (1GB)	300	30 day
	£15	600	Flexible Booster (1GB)	500	12 months
Three	£15	300+2k 3to3	1GB	3000	1 month
Virgin	£15	400	1GB	Unlimited	12 months
Virgin	£15	200	1GB	Unlimited	30 day
O2	£15	300	500MB	Unlimited	12 months

Flexible Booster – Internet,
Unlimited: texts, T mobile talk, Landline talk,
Reduced various international talks.

Given these numbers, I lean reasonably strongly towards the T Mobile £10 a month option, with the flexible booster turned onto 'internet' most or all of the time. I don't make all that much use of my phone, I'll probably increase my use somewhat when I'm on the contract, but still probably not all that much. Mostly I'm after the usefulness of being able to use maps and apps that need the 'net whenever I want to.

However, there's one more factor. What are these various networks actually like, in terms of coverage, reliability, customer service? As such, I'd appreciate peoples thoughts on the networks. Particularly as regards London, but also just generally. All input appreciated.

Comments

[wychboy.livejournal.com]

may I suggest looking at orange? I believe they have some of the best 3g coverage round here (I say believe.. I work for a telecommunications company, so asked around there before deciding on my network, that's what I was told). As they own Three, they can also piggy back on to them if necassary.

3 customer service is shit. Orange is much better - I got through to english people last time I called them, so... I think they're ok.

[fearmeforiampink]

Thought I'd replied to this earlier. Internet worms must've eaten it.

Briefly, as it's so late it's early, Orange has various packages that include internet at £20 and £25 a month. I don't want to spend that much money. £10 a month including internet as well as some free calls and texts is much more what I'm after.