Mobile phone advice.

[Enterpryse]

Orange for me, No problems since i started using a mobile phone.  When contract negotiation time comes every year orange always manage to give me a better phone and a better contract than the other networks.  Just ask for a better deal come negotiation time  

....don't Orange say they'll match any deal offered by others' ?

I'm with Orange and an XDAII (which I couldn't do without now even if it does cause a bugle in my pocket - keep'em guessing I say ;-)

When it comes time to change I'll make up a trusty spreadsheet again and cost all the phones/contracts over 12/24 months. IMHO all the customer services are crap anyway just some are crappier than others. How about making the decision based on the best 'on hold' music.

[philsugrue]

My only advice regarding mobiles is AVOID THREE LIKE THE PLAGUE they are totally useless with call centres in india, do they speak english, yes but very poorly.

[neilwillis]

Strange that, 3 months ago I asked Orange about an XDA2, they couldn't help.   I then went to TheLink, signed up, and when they contacted Orange to cancel my contract with them Orange couldn't match the O2 deal I had negotiated.

Customer service really sucks with Orange doesn't it!

[Enterpryse]

Strange that, 3 months ago I asked Orange about an XDA2, they couldn't help.

Had mine for about 9 months now - its not what you know  blah blah blah

[neilwillis]

Absolutely, but wouldn't you think they'd know their own service?

Had no problems with O2, apart from ordering accessories - that took a few phone calls, and a little coersion!

[7SE]

As I use the phone mostly in the evening

Orange are offering free calls between 8pm and Midnight - might be worth looking into.

I've been with Orange since about a year after they started, never had cause to change provider.  Back then their customer service, prices were considered to be much better than the incumbent two.  But now they are just a big mobile phone co. like all the others.  Even worse they are owned by the French  

[JulianS]

Been with orange nearly 7 years!

Coverage just as good as any of the others (now!

Been VERY happy with service - e.g. replacement phones after chucking them in beer/across bars etc.  Also, when I needed a new phone, arrived by bike same/next day or posted at my convenience.

Also, I use the data services a bit - e-mail download, fax (I have a mobile fax number) & data calls etc, when I first set this up, a call to a friendly chap who explained it all, new exactly what was what, unlike the usual customer 'service' with most companies.

I don't actually bother with the house phone much, just use the mobile.

Julian

[Keith Scarfe]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Seems like there are many opinions both good and bad about all the different companies. Thought so. Will have to pick one and hope they are ok. Cheers.

[Messer]

I would rather pull each fingernail out and wash my hands in salt and vinegar than ever use 3. I had it for a week and it was absolutely attrocious, I cancelled down to having to attempt to make a call 3 to 4 times each time (no joke) and cancelled it within the 2 weeks trial period. I continued to get bills for the next three months totalling £75. I was in constant contact with the customer service (in India) who each time assured me that the contract was cancelled. They were then so polite as to send the debt collectors in!!

I am with 02 Genie (I beleive are o2 online now) and are superb, never had an issue and for £10 a month sim only I get unlimited free text messages and 50 mins of off peak calls per day and unlimited free mobile internet.