[Lemonique]

Hi,

I'll be studying in the UK for 4 years or so. (1year in London & 3years out of London)

So, I was wondering which mobile service should I use? I know there are various service providers; O2, Virgin, T-Mobiel, Vodafone etc but which do you guys recommend? Since, all of their websites just seem to priase themselves to be the best in the UK.

Background information:
I already own an Iphone here in my home country, so basically I would just need a new SIM/Plan. I use the 3G & internet quite alot when I'm out so a good 3G connection is a must!

Also a rough estimate on how much it would cost per month would be nice! I saw some which cost around 23 pounds per month. That range would be fine!

Thanks alot!

[Camoxide]

You need to have an unlocked phone btw.

Giff Gaff is probably the best value for money.

£10 a month gets you 250 minutes unlimited texts and unlimited internet.
You also get free texts and calls to other Giff Gaff users.

[Lemonique]

(Original post by Camoxide)
You need to have an unlocked phone btw.

Giff Gaff is probably the best value for money.

£10 a month gets you 250 minutes unlimited texts and unlimited internet.
You also get free texts and calls to other Giff Gaff users.

Thanks alot! Will keep this is mind when I get there!

[Ham22]

You could always get a sim contract. You can get one month rolling contracts and year long contracts.

I'm on 02, but their 3g is possibly the worst of the major networks. If you live out in the sticks it's likely you won't get a signal. I stick with them because it's not an issue for me...

There's this website, which links to the coverage pages of all the major networks: http://ukmobilecoverage.co.uk/
The icons in the middle don't appear to be working, so click on options in the list to the right.

[Ham22]

Edit: Never mind, i don't think you'll be able to get any kind of contract if you've no credit history in this country. Some one correct me if i'm wrong.

Giff Gaff is probably your best bet- it's a virtual network 'run by it's customers', or whatever the tag line is. You conduct your dealings with them entirely over the internet. It's customer service department consists of an online forum staffed by volunteers/customers.
'3' http://store.three.co.uk/?id=1300 also do good pay as you go plans for heavy data users.

[Pronk]

One word of advice: do NOT join Virgin.
I'm currently on a contract with Virgin and they are hell. Their customer service sucks and if you go over your allowance they charge A LOT. Do not be tempted by their attractive deals.
I recommend you go for Orange- they have excellent coverage and really good benefits (2 for 1 cinema tickets and Pizza Express) and their deals aren't bad either.

[xXHolly_90Xx]

I used to be on o2 and then I moved to orange which was so much hassle anytime I needed to contact them. So I moved back to o2 and I have no problems! If something ever is wrong I can talk to someone from there very easily.

It does depend on where you are living for which one will give you the best signal strength.

O2 would probably be great in London.

[benco]

I'm on Orange, and it's pretty damn good, so I would recommend them. I'm in Cardiff, and have been in London with my iPhone, and I've had no problems iwth the 3G at all.

[Lemonique]

(Original post by Pronk)
One word of advice: do NOT join Virgin.
I'm currently on a contract with Virgin and they are hell. Their customer service sucks and if you go over your allowance they charge A LOT. Do not be tempted by their attractive deals.
I recommend you go for Orange- they have excellent coverage and really good benefits (2 for 1 cinema tickets and Pizza Express) and their deals aren't bad either.

HAHA okay I will keep that in mind! Everyone says Orange. I'll look into that most prob!

[Lemonique]

(Original post by benco)
I'm on Orange, and it's pretty damn good, so I would recommend them. I'm in Cardiff, and have been in London with my iPhone, and I've had no problems iwth the 3G at all.

Another +1 for Orange! Thanks alot

[Lemonique]

(Original post by xXHolly_90Xx)
I used to be on o2 and then I moved to orange which was so much hassle anytime I needed to contact them. So I moved back to o2 and I have no problems! If something ever is wrong I can talk to someone from there very easily.

It does depend on where you are living for which one will give you the best signal strength.

O2 would probably be great in London.

(Original post by Ham22)
Edit: Never mind, i don't think you'll be able to get any kind of contract if you've no credit history in this country. Some one correct me if i'm wrong.

Giff Gaff is probably your best bet- it's a virtual network 'run by it's customers', or whatever the tag line is. You conduct your dealings with them entirely over the internet. It's customer service department consists of an online forum staffed by volunteers/customers.
'3' http://store.three.co.uk/?id=1300 also do good pay as you go plans for heavy data users.

I just found out I could multi quote......

But thanks anyway for your inputs. I know I can cancel Virgin out. Orange has 2 recommendations. Will look into O2 and GG too. I'll most prob need a good connection in other parts of the UK since I'm only going to be staying in London for about 9 months or so!

[ioikonomou]

(Original post by Camoxide)
You need to have an unlocked phone btw.

Giff Gaff is probably the best value for money.

£10 a month gets you 250 minutes unlimited texts and unlimited internet.
You also get free texts and calls to other Giff Gaff users.

when u order a free sim, usally after how long is it delivered to you?

[Camoxide]

(Original post by ioikonomou)
when u order a free sim, usally after how long is it delivered to you?

A day or two?

[Jennyjelly]

(Original post by Lemonique)
Hi,

I'll be studying in the UK for 4 years or so. (1year in London & 3years out of London)

So, I was wondering which mobile service should I use? I know there are various service providers; O2, Virgin, T-Mobiel, Vodafone etc but which do you guys recommend? Since, all of their websites just seem to priase themselves to be the best in the UK.

Background information:
I already own an Iphone here in my home country, so basically I would just need a new SIM/Plan. I use the 3G & internet quite alot when I'm out so a good 3G connection is a must!

Also a rough estimate on how much it would cost per month would be nice! I saw some which cost around 23 pounds per month. That range would be fine!

Thanks alot!

I'd recommend Giffgaff too! I'm on it and it uses O2 network but cheaper. I'm using their £10 goodybag which lasts for a month. You get 250 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet! It's perfect for iPhone and other smartphone users. So far their signal has been good in major cities like London & Manchester for me. One thing to bear in mind is that you have to order their free sim on their website & they only mail first class to UK address so you can register and request a sim once you arrive and settle down at your accommodation.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Cadoo]

(Original post by Lemonique)
Hi,

I'll be studying in the UK for 4 years or so. (1year in London & 3years out of London)

So, I was wondering which mobile service should I use? I know there are various service providers; O2, Virgin, T-Mobiel, Vodafone etc but which do you guys recommend? Since, all of their websites just seem to priase themselves to be the best in the UK.

Background information:
I already own an Iphone here in my home country, so basically I would just need a new SIM/Plan. I use the 3G & internet quite alot when I'm out so a good 3G connection is a must!

Also a rough estimate on how much it would cost per month would be nice! I saw some which cost around 23 pounds per month. That range would be fine!

Thanks alot!

You stress that you use the 3G and internet a lot - I recommend you join the Three network. They were built for the internet. They were the first network to use 3G and have been voted the best network for the internet. They are the only network that offers what you call All you can eat data which means absolutely unlimited data allowance (no fair usage policy, no hidden caps, browse as much and as much as you want!).

For just £15.90 a month on a SIM only deal with Three you can get:

600 minutes
5000 texts
All-you-can-eat data (Unlimited internet).

And that's a 12 month contract. It's an awesome deal! I heartily recommend it to you!

http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchDevice?tariff=2917

[Jennyjelly]

(Original post by ioikonomou)
when u order a free sim, usally after how long is it delivered to you?

It depends but normally within 5 days