Which mobile phone service provider?

[TinkerBell]

Well, it is time for me to renew my phone. I am going to be getting an iPhone 4.

However I am undecided on which service provider to use, so I am interested in your thoughts and opinions on the big names.

Who do you guys think are the best? I think I know what is going to be said but your help would be muchly appreciated.

[Mark]

The best one is the one that best meets your needs. There's no other way to it really - what may be great for some are utter **** for others, and vice versa.

First - and most important - thing to find out is who has the best coverage where you need it. Three seem to have the best data plans for the iPhone - but if you don't use data much or can't get coverage, then they're of no use to you.

Probably not the most helpful answers, but it's the approach I took - Vodafone didn't offer the coverage I wanted so they were out, wanted to try someone other than Orange as I'd had recent issues, and ended up with O2, who have given me very little trouble.

[Zico]

http://www.o2.co.uk/coveragechecker

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/price-plans/network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/

http://search.orange.co.uk/ouk/portal/coveragechecker.html?channel=direct/

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/coverage/street-check/

http://www.three.co.uk/Help_Support/Coverage

[mejinks]

Anything other than Orange.

[Glaucus]

o2 is dire for 3g service and I mean everywhere, we cover the south west of England for work and it never compares to the other phone companies.
orange I have found is dire for phone calls, you get reception, but always sounds robotic.

I'm also going Iphone 4 and am goign Vodafone.
My mate at work has vodafone and gets reception everywhere, when non of teh rest of us do. FFS he even got voice and internet in a flipping underground tunnel at work. And they are priced very nicely.

Going to get Iphone4 of amazon for £430
Then 30day contract #

£20per month, 300 minutes, Unlimited texts, 1024MB

and £40 cash back on quidco as well.

[Justsomebloke]

3 is the Network to be on & it gets even better next month. ;)

[TinkerBell]

Thanks for all your help guys.

I hate Orange and I doubt I will ever go back to them.

I am on O2 at the minute, I haven't had any problems but then I haven't had an iPhone or data phone on any other network, hence the question.

I have heard that vodafone are a better service provider in that respect so I will probably end up with them. Just wanted to make sure I was thinking along the right lines :)

What is so good about 3 Malc?

[TinkerBell]

Well I have gone and done it :D

Ordered a vodafone iPhone 4, 12 months contract :D

Can't wait now.

[Feek]

3 is the Network to be on & it gets even better next month. ;)

I just recently moved to 3, what happens next month?

[A Place of Light]

Can't fault T-mobile. Been with them around 6 years.

[Flibster]

Have to say, if they did the Desire Z, I'd be off to 3 like a shot.

Unlimited data?! Yes please! My current deal gives me 1gb and I keep getting dangerously close to that - so the go and drop it on all new contracts to as little as 500mb!

O2 have been pretty good over the last 7 years, but their ability to get phones in good time is utter pants.
Vodafone seem to be useless in Norfolk.
Orange's package names irritate the hell out of me so they are out.
T-Mobile... Meh...

[Justsomebloke]

I just recently moved to 3, what happens next month?

Gingerbread update has been approved by 3, Roll out is due any time. ;)