Mobile Phone Comparison
Introduction
This web page is concerned with
The Technology
There are two fundamental technologies used for UK mobile phone communications: GSM and 3G.
GSM - Global System for Mobile communication. This technology, as its name implies, is global in scope and has virtually universal coverage in Europe. GSM uses four frequencies: 850 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz and 1900 MHz.
3G - 3rd Generation.
This technology is newer and faster than GSM and is used primarily for video
and Internet access.
The Networks
There are five primary networks in the UK, they are:
| 3 | ||
| O2 | ||
| Orange | ||
| T-Mobile | ||
| Vodafone | ||
There is also a number of virtual networks which use the infrastructure of the primary networks, including:
| BT Mobile | (uses T-Mobile's network) | |
| Fresh (Carphone Warehouse) | (uses T-Mobile's network) | |
| easyMobile | (uses T-Mobile's network) | |
| One.Tel | (uses Vodafone's network) | |
| Telecom Plus | (uses T-Mobile's network) | |
| (uses O2's network) | ||
| Virgin Mobile | (uses T-Mobile's network) | |
Network
Coverage by %age of Population |
||
Network |
GSM |
3G |
3 |
99%+ |
80% |
O2 |
99%+ |
50% |
|
Orange |
99%+ |
70% |
T-Mobile
|
99%+ |
|
Vodafone |
99%+ |
60% |
Paying for your Mobile Phone Change
There are two ways to pay for your mobile phone: monthly contract or pre-payment. Each of the network operators offers a number of deals in each category.
Choosing Mobile Phone Deals
Selecting a mobile phone deal is complicated because there are so many different deals on the market that it is very hard to directly compare like with like.
If you want a mobile phone only for emergency or very light use then the cheapest option is a pre-payment deal.
But if you want a mobile phone for frequent use, try to calculate how many minutes you are likely to spend making calls each month.
Up to 200 Minutes per Month Mobile Phone Deals
201 - 300 Minutes per Month Mobile Phone Deals
301 - 400 Minutes per Month Mobile Phone Deals
401 - 500 Minutes per Month Mobile Phone Deals