Which UK data network?

[FatMog]

Hi I have recently purchased a centro and I am currently running it on Tesco PAYG sim. However, I am contemplating taking out a rolling pay-monthly sim-only deal so that I can add proper data services and take advantage of all the new gizmondos! So, what do others in the UK use?

I am veering towards O2 with it's data bolt-on, cos Tesco uses the O2 network (minus data services) and I have always found it pretty reliable. Last time I tried anything that uses tmobile/virgin I found the signal a bit hit and miss in my area.

I am slightly confused by the variety of data offerings and whether they would actually do the biz as regards email, google maps etc or whether they are just WAP. So if anyone's got a palm device up and running on all cylinders here perhaps they could let me know what they use!

Thanks

[csward75]

The option I have gone for is the Vodafone sim only, at £15 a month, with a 30 day notice period, so no 12 month contract, and you can sign up for 120mb of data for £7.50 per month, and so far have not used all the data. Works well for me, not sure if this is competitive with O2, as I like the coverage of Vodafone, especially the 3G network. Its just a thought

[TazUk]

The only carrier doing reasonable data tariffs is T-Mobile with their web'n'walk, Vodafone have improved recently but are still pretty expensive.

[csward75]

Originally Posted by TazUk

The only carrier doing reasonable data tariffs is T-Mobile with their web'n'walk, Vodafone have improved recently but are still pretty expensive.

That is tru taz, as my work mobile has since moved to T-mobile because of this service. The coverage is not bad, but think they still have some way to go to get to Vodafone levels. Soon hopefully

[FatMog]

Thanks everyone, I tried a free tmobile sim and the signal and coverage round here are still not as good as with other networks. So I've gone back to orange - not necessarily the cheapest overall but I think it will work out so given my pattern of usage.

[csward75]

No worries Fatmog, happy web roaming!

[FatMog]

I have discovered, buried in the very small print of the orange world website, that you can buy a £16 package of web access for £4. Currency of the package is a month, you can buy it by text if you've got a card registered.

It's working out fine for me so far, it's enough for me to get a couple of weather forecasts and check the BBC news etc daily, have the occasional poke around when I'm on a train, and still last the month.

If anyone's interested I'll post details.

[TazUk]

Originally Posted by FatMog

If anyone's interested I'll post details.

Yep that would be useful

[csward75]

Yes, please as thinking of moving to Orange at the moment, but treo 500v still locked for data access and yet can make phone calls with my orange sim very strange

[FatMog]

turns out the detail is buried in the help and support/extras bit of the ordinary orange website:

Orange - mobile help and support - mobile service plans - pay as you go - Extras - other

This is only for PAYG, they have better deals if you pay monthly (of course...), you get 4mb downloads for £4 instead of £16 - hardly a generous amount, but enough for my purposes! Email etc all works with this.

Basically, you just set up a card on your account, then text

WORLD 4

to 6620

Bob's your uncle...