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Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Gordon Clyne
Hi all,
As a newbie to the uk, I want an iPhone 4 and I'd like to hear the pros and cons of the various carriers, orange, O2, vodaphone etc. I live in kings somborne, and don't know who owns the big cell tower I can see about 100 meters away, but clearly they would have the best coverage at my home. Also, a very naive question, but if you go with one carrier, the others have to handle your traffic for free right? Anyone know how the various plans differ and what pitfalls to watch for? Reason I ask is i've been living in the USA for years, at the mercy of AT&T and hope that the uk has better things to offer.

Also id like to say thanks to all the dorchester folks who had to put up with me on Tuesday, I'll certainly be back!

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar John Surtees
We are with O2. Had no problems. Upgraded from a 3G to a 4 with them a few weeks ago from their store in WestQuay (Apple didn't have any 16gig models in stock). They were most helpful with the whole changeover thing.

Although people say the coverage is better with Vodafone, although friends with them, have trouble in our kitchen, whist O2 is no problem. Swings and Roundabouts I guess. Never had any trouble with billing, plus its possible to get discounted broadband if you are an O2 customer.

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Euan Williams
Hi Gordon,
Welcome back to the UK and to the Dorchester branch of WaMug, we look forward to seeing you again, and thanks for your help with the DCC link.

Mobiles --
please ignore anything you already know and I hope more knowledgeable members will chip in with corrections, etc.

Best to talk to people in K-Somborne shopping centre and waylay local 'phone shop customers for advice. I don't think we have mega data sites in the UK for masts and coverage similar to > www.cellreception.com < in the US.

Most of us are bemused by the endlessly varying 'call plans' cooked up by the companies, and tend to buy into whatever friends use. There are magazines in WH Smith with titles like "What Mobile' which do surveys of what call plans are on offer. Teen use is something quite "other".

You might choose to buy the 'phone without a call plan and then use pay-as-you-go SIMS for any company that you want to try out before you settle on a favourite. There is a thriving mini-industry (usually centred in local markets and independent 'phone shops) in unlocking mobiles so that they can use other company SIMS. The "official" unlocking process after a contract has ended can be expensive and obstructive, ask before you buy. Moving your 'phone number to another 'phone is relatively simple these days.

All UK operators have "predicted" reception maps such as Orange here: Orange coverage map. Go there and search for the places and routes that you would need good coverage for (good for most things, but won't highlight dead spots.

Several UK companies have developed good relationships with EEC (France is a really close neighbour whatever EEC-phobes may tell you) -- and US operators. Orange also work with T-mobile. The EEC is working to reduce cross-border roaming charges which may make a difference for you as results are announced. At the moment roaming charges are often very high, ask around. Many people use an unlocked 'phone and buy local French, German, Australian SIMS as required.

If you want to check which companies have aerials on your local mast try your local District Council planning office who (may) know from their files of planning applications, but these usually relate to the physical mast rather than ownership of the antennae on it.

Masts are a sensitive subject in UK (visit > www.mastsanity.org <) so companies tend to squirrel information away to avoid raising dust.

Hope this opens up the discussion.

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Douglas Cheney
I have an iPhone 3GS 16Gb on pay as you go with Orange and find it gives me no problems.

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Gordon Clyne
Euan, all, many thanks for the tips,

I've discovered-thanks to the links euan sent, that the only company with coverage where i am in a valley is vodaphone who probably own the cell tower in the field behind me!, but they do have a 35 pound a month plan that suits me fine, so ill go with that. I'm going with the iPhone 4 as that's what my app runs on and I can get the daily sales statistics from Apple that way.

Many thanks for the community support, most appreciated. -Gordon

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Mick Burrell
Sorry Gordon - a bit late arriving but at the risk of spoiling the party, I'm on Vodafone and the coverage is very poor most of the way between Stockbridge & Romsey. I think Vodafone would be the best bet but Orange & T-Mobile now allow you to use either network so if you're on Orange and there's no signal it will switch to T-Mobile as long as their's works in the area. If it's not too late I could meet you next week to see what signal you actually get at home.

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Derek Wright
We had poor Vodafone coverage at home - I complained to the local Vodafone shop and they gave me a telephone number to call and complain to. I did and explained that we had a lot on non UK visitors and their phones were not connecting via Vodafone hence Vodafone were losing incoming call revenue - A few days later the signal strength at home improved.
Cannot remember the number though.

Re: Prodigal son need a phone...

Avatar Gordon Clyne
Mick, you are right, most of the way it is, but the one hot spot is in my back yard!!! And they will give me free btopenzone at my local pub which is totally great! I can even use my wifi only iPad there with my iPhone login. Even better....

However if any of you want to know the trials and tribulations of getting said phone, I can bend your ears with a hilarious monologue next time!!!
 
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