Mobile Phones - choose a provider

Following on from yesterday's post I've outline below a few pointers when choosing a new mobile provider.

Without doubt the first thing to check is whether they provide coverage in your location. Don't rely on the maps they provide - these are fairly vague in accuracy. If possible, see if you can borrow a phone on each network and see what strength signal you can achieve in a few of the places yoi are likely to use the phone.

Then have a look at handsets and price plans. The only real advice here is to check price plans, it is often cheaper to sign up for 18 months than for 12 months.

The big difference appears to be on support provided and what it costs to call the phone company.

Orange - ring from mobile for free call - otherwise charged at mobile rate.
O2 - charged at 0870 rates.
Vodafone - charged at 0870 rates.
T-Mobile - free from mobile or 0845 local number.

I had to phone T-Mobile as I couldn't fathom out how to change a setting on the phone. Rang, just 2 buttons to press before speaking to someone in England, asked the question and got an immediate answer which worked first time.

Call Orange and be kept on hold before speaking to someone who really doesn't care if they help or not.

No experience of others as no O2 signal and Voda didn't have any phones I liked the look of.

If you need to do an extended test before purchasing most operators offer a free PAYG sim via their web sites and you can pick up an old phone on EBay for £30 - £40. Worth the investment if you need a mobile for business and after tests you can always sell it on again.