Mobile Phones ::

Mobile phone Companies are offering more deals every day; Free talk time, free handset... the list goes on! To decide which one is best for you there are three things to consider:

 

Choosing a Network

There are four networks to choose from in the UK and Northern Ireland - BT Cellnet, Vodafone, One2One and Orange.

 

Coverage
All networks are continually developing their coverage areas but make sure your phone will work in your area of the country. You need to bear in mind that the percentages quoted by the networks are referring to the percentage of the UK population, not land mass, that is covered.

 

When choosing a network you should consider the following:

Roaming
Some digital phones can be used abroad, this is called "roaming". Roaming agreements have been set up with networks in different countries to enable this. The network you are connected to determines the countries where you can use your phone. The number of agreements with different countries is increasing all the time.

In order to roam you need to:

• Find out if your network has an agreement with the country you want to call from

• Ask your service provider to enable your phone for roaming

• Use a dual band phone to make full use of roaming if you are with Orange or One 2 One

Please note that:

• To roam internationally on any network there may be a requirement for an additional credit check and possibly a deposit

• When receiving an incoming call you will be charged for the international leg of the call. The calling party only pays for the national leg of the call

Choosing a Tariff

There are three ways to pay for your calls:

• Prepay

• Contract (monthly subscription)

• Line Advance Packages

Contract

• choose your network, tariff and phone, sign a contract and pay by monthly subscription (subject to a credit check)

• you buy your phone and need to pay; a one off connection charge of £35 (same for all networks), a monthly line rental charge and call charges (most tariffs include a number of free minutes).

• before you sign a contract you may wish to look at our checklist.

Prepay Packages

• with prepay packages there is no credit check, no contract and no monthly bill.

• you buy the phone and pay for your calls as you go by purchasing vouchers.

• when choosing your prepay package you need to bear in mind the valid periods for outgoing and incoming calls (service credit). This varies between networks and for Orange between call voucher values. For example if you choose the Orange Just Talk package, a £5 voucher will give you valid periods for incoming and outgoing calls which is less than if you were to purchase a £15 voucher.

• Vodafone prepay phones require service credit at all times to enable them to work. When you purchase a voucher you are not just purchasing call time but service time as well.

Prepay is ideal if you:

• do not want to commit to monthly payments

• are unable to pass a credit check

• wish to have total control over your costs

• wish to be contactable but want to minimise the costs of having a phone

• want to give a mobile as a present

Line Advance Packages

• you still need to sign a contract but you can make savings by paying up front for the phone, connection and 12 months line rental

• you will also receive a certain amount of inclusive calls depending on which tariff you choose

• the only ongoing cost is for calls over and above your inclusive call allowance

• at the end of the advance period you may have the option to terminate your contract, move to a standard monthly line rental or sign up for a second year line advance (if available)

Choosing a Handset

When deciding on a phone you should consider the following:-

Battery life - check hours and minutes of talk time
Weight - do you want something small to fit in your pocket?
Data compatibility - if you want to send e-mail, SMS, faxes or surf the internet
Screen size - if you are to use SMS
Vibration alert - if you need to be contacted discreetly
SMS - Short messaging services
A hands free car kit - if you use your phone frequently in the car

 

Checklist

When choosing a network you should consider the following:

Coverage
All networks are continually developing their coverage areas but make sure your phone will work in your area of the country. You need to bear in mind that the percentages quoted by the networks are referring to the percentage of the UK population, not land mass, that is covered.

Roaming
Some digital phones can be used abroad, this is called "roaming". Roaming agreements have been set up with networks in different countries to enable this. The network you are connected to determines the countries where you can use your phone. The number of agreements with different countries is increasing all the time.

In order to roam you need to:

• Find out if your network has an agreement with the country you want to call from

• Ask your service provider to enable your phone for roaming

• Use a dual band phone to make full use of roaming if you are with Orange or One 2 One

Please note that:

• To roam internationally on any network there may be a requirement for an additional credit check and possibly a deposit

• When receiving an incoming call you will be charged for the international leg of the call. The calling party only pays for the national leg of the call