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What to buy and what UK network?

Afternoon all,
I'm currently with OrangeUK and have been for about 9 years. Lately though their customer service has been terrible! 4 attempts to change direct debit details with them and numerous letters from them demanding money when they are at fault in the first place! Phoned today to upgrade to be told that the person who said I could upgrade to a TyTn II for free was wrong and I'd be charged. I wouldn't mind if I hadnt been told otherwise and hadnt spend about £1500 with them in the last 17 months. I'm no longer happy with them and need a change.
I'm considering switching over to either O2 or Tmobile for either the Kaiser or the Polaris. That said I've recently moved to the North East of Scotland (about 30 miles North of Aberdeen) and have no idea what coverage is like on both of these networks up here. Can anyone shed any light on this for me?
Also which is going to be the better phone? I know we all hate these questions for a million different reasons but I just can't decide. HELP!! If you cant help me with that, teach me how to make decisions!
Thanks in advance.

Try this tool to check t-mobile coverage in your area:
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/coverage/street-check/

Thanks irusmal,
I did have a look at these coverage charts but (call me cynical) I'd rather hear from users of networks. I've been in places before where Orange have said I'd get coverage (3G at that) and I got nothing at all and that was only 20 miles from Manchester. I tend to take them with a pinch of salt.
Thanks.

True, you have to try it for yourself. T-Mobile claims that they will cancel contract within 2 weeks no questions asked if you do not get coverage that they promised to you. I did not try it myself though
If choice is between O2 or T-Mobile, i believe T-Mobile has better 3G coverage overall.

Get o2 -
i was with t-mobile however at work our canteen us underground,
t-mobile = no reception anywhere until you go outside and shake the phone about abit.
o2 = reception in some places and as soon as you step into the open full reception.
i am payg and i top up £30 a month (max) as that gives me unlimited texts and then £30 worth of calls (i dont call that often anyway though)
so just think about what package etc will be best for you.

Really depends how much you are going to spend. £35+ contract will get you a decent phone. T-Mobile has the HTC Touch, Touch Dual and the Kaiser (MDA Touch, MDA Touch Dual and MDA Vario 3) O2 have the Kaiser and Polaris (Stella and Cruise).
I'm with T-Mobile and i can say its a fairly decent network and their customer service is good and web n walk is the best thing in years!!. Not had any dealings with O2 but i heard they are fairly decent.
But before you do anything have a look at the T-Mobile deals on here http://www.expansys.com/c.aspx?f=1220 you can get the HTC Touch Cruise on T-mobile and its not even officially on the network yet. Also you can get the Eten X800

From my experience with T-Mobile and O2 pay as you go, T-Mobile has far better coverage. In Snowdonia I got coverage even in deep valleys and near Fort William in scotland I also got decent coverage with T-Mobile when I got nothing useful with T-Mobile. I also think that T-Mobiles tariffs are better: I get 3p texts, internet from 50p a day and cheap calls... With a contract that might all be different but from my dealings with both I'd go with T-Mobile.
I would personally get a Kaiser as they have everything the other HTC devices do (except DRIVERS!!!!) better and does some other impressive tricks.

Morning all,
Thanks for all the replies. I reckon the only way to get an idea of the coverage is for me to get a couple of payg sims and try them out for myself. I'll try and grab one of each when I finish work tonight. They arent that expensive from memory. Unless anybody knows where I can get them for free? ie any offers on at the moment.
With regards to the phone package, even though my partner is now living with me (bill would normally go down) friends etc are all down in Manchester so I'm still going to need decent minutes and texts. Not to forget data although that doesnt need to be so high. Tmob does seem to have better packages, so I'll look into them in more detail.
To those people throwing even more phones into the pot - What you doing? I'm the most undecisive person you'll ever speak with! It'll take me weeks to come to a decision now! That said the HTC Touch Cruise does look nice! So does the Kaiser... See what I mean!!!

there are always offers on myspace and stuff, giving away those sims that o2 used to call genie... where you get 300 free texts for a tenner... but from orange too... but how else to get one free... no idea

I have got free SIMs from orange, T-Mobile and O2 recently and have seen ads for them everywhere... try a quick google...

voda have great coverage
...and if you get a business tarrif their customer support's pretty good, too.

landwomble said:
...and if you get a business tarrif their customer support's pretty good, too.
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Click to collapse
I never knew you could get a business tarrif if you are not a business / business user. I'll look into that.
T-mobile packages look very good indeed. Better value than Orange anyway!

It appears Orange have me by the cojones! I cant get an O2 or Tmobile reception at the house at all. Not impressed!
Looks like I'm sticking with Orange...

I work for o2 and can say that coverage for any network is dependant on a number of factors. the small print for most networks states 'on street coverage' ie the coverage listed is on the assumption you are stood outside on the path. being indoors, in a valley, on a hill, surrounded by buildings can all affect service.
ignore any maps or any quotes from any network for this reason.try the sims put for yourself
as for contracts not a lot of difference tmobile have web and walk o2 have web bolt on. personal pref would be o2 as pays my wage though

I live in a village in Yorkshire and we're in a bit of a black spot coverage wise (not just for mobiles, but we have bad signals for TV and radio too). I just ordered free SIMS from all the major networks and tried them until I found one that worked. The only network with a signal at all in my village is T-mobile so I ended up with them.
I'm pretty happy with T-mobile - although they did **** up my tariff when I first joined and it took forever to sort it out with them.

curlsaloud said:
I'm pretty happy with T-mobile - although they did **** up my tariff when I first joined and it took forever to sort it out with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reminds me of Orange

HTC Touch Pro & Orange UK

Has anybody had any information back from Orange UK as to when this handset will be available through them? I have sent a mail through their website as I was advised to do by the Orange Premier support desk but don't hold out much hope of a reply. Can wait to get my hands on something new and chunky and non-Apple

Mister Q said:
Has anybody had any information back from Orange UK as to when this handset will be available through them? I have sent a mail through their website as I was advised to do by the Orange Premier support desk but don't hold out much hope of a reply. Can wait to get my hands on something new and chunky and non-Apple
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, unless upgrade is your only option I'd look elsewhere. Orange has ny far the worst data packages (250mb limit for £7.50 a month)
Anyways, last tiem I spoke to them they could only tell me "we don't have that handset on our database at the moment, Would you liek to hear our other offers?"

Hi, I spoke with them and through a numberous attempts of getting the info, I eventually spoke to a manager who told me they have not yet even organized the terms between them and HTC for the phone once once thats done they will have to begin their own branding (he said "testing & tweaking of software to enhance performance" what a joke) anyway that would take a while he doesnt think it will be released before feb next year "if" they get the terms done in the next 4 weeks.
To behonest i cannot see what more they have to do apart from press "duplicate Diamond" and see it rolling out but ....

Is the Touch Pro available anywhere on the UK networks for non business accounts?

Orange
Hello, i was told by upgrades on Orange that this device will not be available and was told that they will be doing the sony pda instead. had to migrate to T-mobile through Expansys u.k to get this hadset. I think that you will have a very long wait to get this device on Orange.

Kinda forgot about this post lol! Yeah I couldn't get any info out of Orange but I have free internet access with them (yes, on my phone, not broadband ) and I barely use it anyway. Just really wanted the diamond with a keyboard but I guess I'll have to settle for the Touch Pro instead then

My friend says he was told "definately not within the next month".
My gf just took out a contract with Orange for the Diamond. For £35 a month sh gets 1200 minutes, unlimited texts and they gave her the 'unlimited' internet for free.
I'm sure I'd manage to hit the 250mb limit pretty easily, but that's only because I use my phone as a modem. Otherwise, 250mb is quite a lot for most people who just want to check facebook, myspace, weather and news feeds.
I guess mobile youtube could rack up though.

Orange always seem to be the last to get phones on there network. I would not expect to see it until Xmas and the guy who mentioned Feb may be nearer the mark.

mike freegan said:
My friend says he was told "definately not within the next month".
My gf just took out a contract with Orange for the Diamond. For £35 a month sh gets 1200 minutes, unlimited texts and they gave her the 'unlimited' internet for free.
I'm sure I'd manage to hit the 250mb limit pretty easily, but that's only because I use my phone as a modem. Otherwise, 250mb is quite a lot for most people who just want to check facebook, myspace, weather and news feeds.
I guess mobile youtube could rack up though.
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Click to collapse
Orange don't allow use of free minutes when using the phone as a modem. I asked them this as i wanted to use my phone as a modem to save on carrying the dongle all the time and share the traffic on both phone and broadband connection.

I don't feel Orange are taking data particularly seriously. They have some good data options, I think, for business users. But very little for private users. Too much marketting focus on "being cool", and not on service delivery.

Have just been speaking to Orange UK - and contrary to reports, they will be stocking Touch Pro in the next month or two...
Hmmm, they'd better sort it out quick or Vodaphone, here I come (unless the HD appears, of course...)

graham.hughes said:
I don't feel Orange are taking data particularly seriously. They have some good data options, I think, for business users. But very little for private users. Too much marketting focus on "being cool", and not on service delivery.
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They have, according to the saleperson I spoke to, an 'unlimited' data package available too.
They'll have to go a long way to convince me to stay yet, including how/if they put their own, usually rubbish, rom on he device.
Does The Vodaphone Touch Pro ship with the standard rom, or a vodaphone hybrid?

Latest
Just spoken to Premier Account Management and they told me that the handset will become available to Small Business users on the 7th December and to other users sometime after that as they are concerned about potential software issues.
Personally I think this is a load of rubbish, why they can't just take the HTC phone and stick their logo on it and send it out to us is beyond me.

I am on orange uk, contract was up 2 days back so I called about an upgrade
The bloke I eventually spoke to was very helpful, but ultimately said the closest thing to the touch pro they will have this side of xmas was the rose
He said they didn't even have it on a roadmap for q1 next year so I Got my pac and am moving to voda at the weekend!

mkOnKeY bOy said:
They have, according to the saleperson I spoke to, an 'unlimited' data package available too.
They'll have to go a long way to convince me to stay yet, including how/if they put their own, usually rubbish, rom on he device.
Does The Vodaphone Touch Pro ship with the standard rom, or a vodaphone hybrid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vodafone Touch Pro ships with Vodafone custom ROM.

htc pro now avalible from vodafone

as titles just got an email,
http://www.vodafone-emailme.co.uk/vfemailme/process.do?action=digest&digest=1166301300&oid=107384161&location=http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=Phones.productdetails%26prodid=3037%26WT.mc_id=EMAIL-110908-BuyNow-CLKHERE-HTCTchPr
seems expensive though and only avalible on buisness website

Try ordering one, I have and they dont have them in stock

churchwa said:
Try ordering one, I have and they dont have them in stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought you was on O2?

I am, but I have another upgrade on Vodafone waiting for me to use
Then it is just a matter of flashing it and hoping it is not sim locked. If it is then looks like I am going to have to pay a hefty fee on this forum to get it unlocked.
Now get back to your Stella induced slumber

I now have mine in hand.
The good news is that it is Sim Unlocked already. I just popped my O2 Sim in it and it worked straight away.
The bad news is that they have butchered the software. Anyone using it without flashing is going to think it is a pile of rubbish.
I am just waiting for it to charge before I Hardspl it and flash it.

Hi Churchwa,
So....How do you go about flashing the TD Pro?
I've got mine now (with the vodafone skinning) how do I get ride of it (the vodafone skin that is)?
Help please...

All details you need to flash your device and HARDSPL can be found in the wiki, and the rom development section of this forum.

Many thanks. I'll have a gander!

Hardspl worked like a treat.
Then I flashed it with the latest Asian WWE rom. Very very easy

Could you give a quick little tutorial on what needs to be done, this is my first windows mobile phone.
THANKS

churchwa said:
Hardspl worked like a treat.
Then I flashed it with the latest Asian WWE rom. Very very easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did you Flash it to an Asian ROM over a UK one?
What are the improvements over the Vodafone ROM
??

A question to those of you who got it on Vodafone UK, have you got a registered business or something? I was going to order mine a bout 2 minutes ago, but its asking if im a sole trader\Ltd Company etc... or did you manage to get it without a connection to a business?

just ring the normal new connections number and ask for a touch pro, they should give you one straight away, thats all i did.
rang Thursday afternoon, was offered 600 mins unlimted txts and unlimited internet for 35 a month and got the phone for 20 pounds, not bad really, got delivered today (fri) about dinner time.
currently flashing it reception seems quite good with voda and they seem really efficient.

My local Vodafone store called to let me know they had the Touch Pro in stock and were willing to sell me one on a £35/month contract with net access but still wanted £100 up front, still a little steep.
I tried my luck calling in to Vodafone sales and was tole that the TP was only on a business contract if that helps.
D.

Thanks for the heads up, my brother in law (who has a business) has got his today and was told by Vodafone he can have a few extra lines, so i was going to get it that way if i cant get it direct, i know someone already stated that its not SIM Locked, but can anyone else confirm this too, although i'll be getting it on contract with VF UK, but i wont acually use that SIM, i'll be using a T-Mobile one and just want to make sure before i comit.

Hiya.. I have a small business and got this via my business contract. but as others have said you can get them on a consumer contract also.
Just Flashed mine with the 1.90 405.1 top get rid of all that Red Vodafone crap

Ordered!
Just thought i'd let everyone know, I've ordered the Touch Pro on Vodafone as a consumer and not business, so as stated by someone else earlier, you can get this without being a business. Not only that, the option i chose was "Best for texter" which, for £35 (including VAT), gives you 600 minutes and unlimited text messages (AUP says 3000 messages a month) and the guy on the phone said he'd give me the unlimited internet package too (500MB limit per month) and has the full HSDPA enabled ie 7.2 MPBS and the best bit of it all.... the phone was free
He said it should be with me Tuesday, so for me Chistmas has come early, just got to hope i can use my T-Mobile SIM without having to unlock it, i'll let you know as soon as i get it.

just to let people know, the phone i got from voda is unlocked, has my orange sim in it now.

RavenY2K3 said:
Just thought i'd let everyone know, I've ordered the Touch Pro on Vodafone as a consumer and not business, so as stated by someone else earlier, you can get this without being a business. Not only that, the option i chose was "Best for texter" which, for £35 (including VAT), gives you 600 minutes and unlimited text messages (AUP says 3000 messages a month) and the guy on the phone said he'd give me the unlimited internet package too (500MB limit per month) and has the full HSDPA enabled ie 7.2 MPBS and the best bit of it all.... the phone was free
He said it should be with me Tuesday, so for me Chistmas has come early, just got to hope i can use my T-Mobile SIM without having to unlock it, i'll let you know as soon as i get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the full HSDPA enabled mean the little H that changes from H to 3G is that ?
Why does it keep changing, shall i set the H as default?

It only switches to H when you need it, (when streaming data) otherwise it just sits on 3G

Due for upgrade and want the HTC HD2 (Leo)

So I'm due for an upgrade, voda UK won't give it to me, so I have requested PAC. They do have the HD2 as web only but voda always put their own firmware on it.
So what I want to know, is what are the best deals around for the HD2 in the UK. Ideally I want unlimited text, unlimited data and 500+ minutes. I pay at the moment £35 pm for 750minutes, unlimited text+unlimited data and would like to pay maybe a little less .
Help me find a better deal please oh and I'd like the phone un-modified and I don't really want to pay for the bloody handset lol.
Is it possible? Help me find out.

It's very good!

The vodafone hd2 has no operator specific software on it and mine is sim-unlocked too!
I got it free on-line and this tariff:
Plan 18 month
900 mins Unltd texts £40
+ Online exclusive - this plan includes 300 extra minutes
+ Unlimited land lines
+ 500MB of mobile internet and webmail
With £90 quidco cash-back that makes it £35/month

Was it from the vodafone uk website?

xavierdemon said:
Was it from the vodafone uk website?
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Click to collapse
Yes and it was a new contract, although I PACd in from Virgin.

Well, have ordered my Leo today and apparently it will arrive tomorrow. So fingers crossed

nice one did you get it from vodafone in the end? seems like most people can't anymore

No voda stopped them the day I was going to order it lol, so ended up ordering off mobilephones direct, still on Voda connection though but the handset will be unlocked and unbranded.
I really hope it comes tomorrow.

You know you should get it on O2, thats what Im doing. Buy an unlocked hd2 and then pick up a free O2 sim card and I cant remember the name of the deal (describe it to them) where IF YOU CHOOSE to top up £10 you get free texts, or if you top up £15 a month, your get free texts AND unlimited internet, and then the cash goes to talktime and whatever else you need.
Im getting my HD2 for xmas, its here but im not allowed it yet then christmas eve im gonna go pick up the sim from O2
hope you love the HD2, I know I will, looks AWESOM!!!!!!!!

I did receive it and it is awesome, there's a few problems that I need to work out (some software I had on my Diamond, doesn't work on the Leo) but it's all good fun and i'm loving it

How much in the UK?

Hi All
I am now due an upgrade on my Desire, and was going to go for the HTC One S. O2 however want £36 a month, for 600 minutes, 1gd data and unlimited texts, so i was wondering what people are paying for it over here?
Cheers

Go to the vodafone eforum and do it that way you get much better deals! Or just contact them through twitter just look for vodafone UK deals
Sent from my HTC One S using XDA Premium App

Go to mobiles(.)co(.)uk, chose HTC One S -> T-Mobile -> Show All and you can find this deal:
Line Rental £26.00 monthly with cashback(7 Months Free) Includes 750MB data allowance , 300 Minutes , Unlimited Texts
Plus you can get an extra £60 cashback if you go to quidco(.)com, register, search for mobiles(.)co(.)uk, click on the link and complete your order.
All that will bring your average cost per month down to £15.92 with a free phone, 300 mins, unlimited texts and 750mb of data

phones4u is currently doing £27 24month contract on O2, 300mins, 500Mb data, also doing £26 24 month on vodafone 300mins, 500Mb data. But phone free, and SIM free, unbranded as I was told yesterday when I was in one of their shops playing around the one s. (oh yes, the deals only available online but I think that's better cos you have the 14days cooling period which in store you don't get it)
I am planning to get the o2 deal since always on o2 but just waiting to decide which colour to go for... just cannot decide...

i really need 1gb of data! i am going for the grey, just to get away from the black ones chipping whilst those phones are still in circulation!
Cheers all.

Three are by far the best. Just changed to them and their signal and 3G speed is great! When tethered to my PC using wifi and the three networks 3G on speed test I get 56ping, 8/9mb Download, 2.5mb upload.
The deal I went for was Unlimited Data, 1000mins, 5000 texts for £33 a month with £60 credit spread over 3rd and 4th bill.

3 have come a long way...
I used to hate them, They where horribly branded, and removing the simlock was almost impossible, compared to other networks.
But they are at the top for smartphone deals, The internet deals they offer + the speed is almost unbeatable.

azzledazzle said:
3 have come a long way...
I used to hate them, They where horribly branded, and removing the simlock was almost impossible, compared to other networks.
But they are at the top for smartphone deals, The internet deals they offer + the speed is almost unbeatable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally. I remmember their first proprietary handsets and they were nasty cheap plastic... Do you remember those £11 3 phones from Savers? The advertising used to get right on my nerves too, and the support was aweful. I came back to them in 2010 for the One Plan and haven't been more impressed with a carrier since.
Support is also top notch, never have to wait in a queue and like you say, the speeds are the best around...
I don't want to sound like I'm advertising them, but they really have turned a new leaf in terms of service and reliability.. As well as the fact they don't put their fugly logo on every phone I buy anymore

Have been with ThreeUK for 4 years, had to cancel my contract this month, as I moved to a new place and don't have any signal indoors what-so-ever. I also found their customer support very useless to help me solve my problem, but had no problems in past to get a good deal for upgrade.
Now I'm with T-mo and my phone arriving tomorrow

nozzla said:
Hi All
I am now due an upgrade on my Desire, and was going to go for the HTC One S. O2 however want £36 a month, for 600 minutes, 1gd data and unlimited texts, so i was wondering what people are paying for it over here?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on that tariff but I pay £32 a month as I've been an O2 customer a while so I got 1gb for the price of 500mb (£6). They also threw in 50mms messages a month. I also get 500 o2 to o2 minutes and since almost all of my friends and family are on o2 it works out well. If you've been with them a while give them a call and see what they say. 2 years ago I had a similar situation and I just asked and got 2 extras just like that (unlimited o2 to o2 calls and 500mb bolt on, both for free). If not that 3 deal that someone mentioned for £33 seems like a steal. Phone was free on o2 btw.

ccart said:
I'm on that tariff but I pay £32 a month as I've been an O2 customer a while so I got 1gb for the price of 500mb (£6). They also threw in 50mms messages a month. I also get 500 o2 to o2 minutes and since almost all of my friends and family are on o2 it works out well. If you've been with them a while give them a call and see what they say. 2 years ago I had a similar situation and I just asked and got 2 extras just like that (unlimited o2 to o2 calls and 500mb bolt on, both for free). If not that 3 deal that someone mentioned for £33 seems like a steal. Phone was free on o2 btw.
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Click to collapse
I've been with O2 for 12 years on the same number and they will offer me nothing!!
I might just for the ease go with O2. or i will buy the phone and get a giffgaff sim card!

nozzla said:
I've been with O2 for 12 years on the same number and they will offer me nothing!!
I might just for the ease go with O2. or i will buy the phone and get a giffgaff sim card!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thats shocking! I've only been with them 5 years and even then this is the most expensive tariff I've ever taken out with them...usually I was a SIM only customer (£15 a month). I go on their live chat thing and ask what are my options are and I usually get someone saying 'well since you've been with us a while' etc etc. Maybe try your luck and say you've been with them 12 years and you want this phone but that tariff is too expensive and competitors are cheaper and you may have to leave. They seem to value customers so could offer you a loyalty discount (and yes they do this cause my account has a bolt on thingy saying 'Loyalty Discount, -£4'). I have half a mine to ask them to knock another few ££ off for those 50mms messages cause they will NEVER get used lol.

If you have been with your provider for quite a while, then try and call their cancellation line and request your PAC code, they will offer you a really good deal just to keep you with them, but if you deny all their offers and go away with the PAC code, wait for another call... with the best deal possible

got pac code. no further calls. sod them! i've gone with the Three UK deal. 500 minutes, unlimited data and texts. £32 a month. O2 have disappointed me to say the least!
EDIT: Thanks for all your advice!

Why no one commented on the deal that I found?
Is it because of T-Mobile or 300 minutes is not enough?
I have never used T-Mo, so I'm curious a little bit now

I'm on Orange panther 31. As it suggests, £31 with 400 mins, unlimited texts and 750mb data though CPW. Also includes free sky sports on the phone and another one of those swappable things.
I also get 15% loyalty discount for staying with them so works out at £26 odd coupled with roaming data access to T-Mobile I'm very rarely without H connection.
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

whats this roaming data ?? How do you use tmobile when your with orange ?
Id like to know more about this, because with vodafone the 3g signal is non existent where i live, But tmobile have excellent 3g signal (my GF is with them)

Basically, if you're on Orange (my carrier) or T Mobile you can use either network for phone and data. Mine seems to spend more time on T Mobile than Orange but either way, coverage is great it automatically picks the best one I think.
You also can manually move to either via network selection if you prefer.
Plus orange do that loyalty discount too.
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

I personaly dont understand, why u all look for "carrier" phones with monthly payment...
Isnt there any "local" internet shops (similar to ebay/amazon) where you can buy? Here there is planty of them! Choose the one u like or the price u like and go ahead!
You can see some of search results here "http://www.salidzini.lv/search.php?q=htc+one" But ofc, these shops dont send outside Latvia, so its not option for thread author

cookpass said:
Basically, if you're on Orange (my carrier) or T Mobile you can use either network for phone and data. Mine seems to spend more time on T Mobile than Orange but either way, coverage is great it automatically picks the best one I think.
You also can manually move to either via network selection if you prefer.
Plus orange do that loyalty discount too.
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhh i know what you mean now, Orange and Tmobile joined up last year..
I just thought you mean, if you internet connection is crap you could use someone else network lol
Like I (vodafone) could use... say 3 UK network when my 3g network fails.... haha that would be impressive