Mobile phone networks and new phone recs, please.

[BolshieBastard]

Right, currently on Orange but the last few months, the network hasnt been putting calls through to my phone (diverts are off in case anyone was thinking!). I know this because days later, once over 2 weeks later, I finally got answer phone messages delivered on the day going back to that time! (Hope that's clear!)

So, I want to jibb orange off and use a more reliable network.

I also think its time I got a smart 'ish' phone instead of the bog standard ones I usually have.

So, Im thinking of something like an HTC Desire HD but I gather its battery life is a bit tulip?

I also dont need anything stupid regarding tulip loads of minutes, text and gigabytes of data. Something that gives either 100 or 300 minutes and text and about 250mb of data.

I dont want a samsung phone as I dont like who they sponsor. It would have to be pay monthly as I dont want to pay 300 sheets up front for the phone. Other than that, any suggestions for network, tariff and phone?

[jmo21]

Consider Giff Gaff for your sim if you want to keep monthly costs down.

They don't sell the phones though, so if you don't already have a decent phone you'd need to buy full price. Worth keeping in mind.

[JSP]

I've recently acquired a HTC Sensation and think its a fantastic bit of kit!

[castoff101]

If you are after a smart phone then you will be tempted use the internet connectivity... 250mb will not last long!

[BolshieBastard]

If you are after a smart phone then you will be tempted use the internet connectivity... 250mb will not last long!

Hmmm, possible.

Maybe 500mb then. I really dont think I'll be on tinterweb that much via a phone though!

[realityhack]

1: Wait until September when the latest iToy is out. They ought to have completed beta testing them by then.
2: Go Android / HTC and live up the geeky potential.
3: Embrace WinMo & HTC or Nokia, and good luck with that. I hear good things about WM7 but wouldn't bother taking the risk.

My info about other networks is about 7 yrs old - as around that time I went with O2 and haven't looked back. They may not be the cheapest but their customer service left Orange and Vodafone way, way behind. Also - Vodafone have rubbish reception in and around the City. O2 aren't perfect, but they've not let me down more than a few times in quite a while.

[EvilGazebo]

Talkmobile : Great Value Calls and Texts on Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly use Vodafone who are pretty good and they have a range of deals that might suit

e.g. HTC Wildfire S 200mins /200 texts / 1GB data 24 mths for £12/mth

Or for bigger screen:

HTC Desire S 300mins / 3000 texts / 1GB data 24 months for £18/mth

I'm on a £18 deal with a Samsung Galaxy S (sorry) and it's been good for me

[gingerjedi]

Been with them all apart from 3, o2 wins hands down.