iPhone 3G - Orange vs O2 on Pay as You Go

blizeH

Hi guys,

I've just purchased a second hand iPhone, unlocked because I'd like to use it with my Orange sim card...

However, I've just worked out that actually you can transfer numbers between providers! (Could've got a contract after all eh)

Just wondering which one is generally the best for an iPhone? The way I see it...

Orange

• Less hassle
• 300 free texts, free Facebook access when you topup £10
• Better reception afaik

O2

• Unlimited free internet for 12 months

Question is, should the free internet be that big a draw? I can't find much information on O2's Pay As You Go stuff unfortunately

Thanks!

blizeH

Just found this on the O2 site, not keen after those 12 months have expired!

Downloading data costs £3 a MB in the EU and £6 a MB everywhere else.

CougarJo

But in the UK it's free. The extras are only in the EU and beyond. If you aren't going to be using it abroad then it's not a problem. I have an iPhone on O2 and WiFi and internet browsing is free in my contract. I will never have to pay extra (bolt-on) for them.

blizeH

Thanks Jo - to be honest I was more referring to the mobile/3G browsing - I can already get Wi-Fi free on my current one as I think it's more dependant on the connections near you, whereas with mobile browsing you can get it anywhere you can get a phone signal

Cheers

ACDeag

blizeH wrote: »

Hi guys,

I've just purchased a second hand iPhone, unlocked because I'd like to use it with my Orange sim card...

However, I've just worked out that actually you can transfer numbers between providers! (Could've got a contract after all eh)

Just wondering which one is generally the best for an iPhone? The way I see it...

Orange

• Less hassle
• 300 free texts, free Facebook access when you topup £10
• Better reception afaik

O2

• Unlimited free internet for 12 months

Question is, should the free internet be that big a draw? I can't find much information on O2's Pay As You Go stuff unfortunately

Thanks!

You wont get the free 12 months of data as you get this when you buy the phone new on PAYG. O2 offer a Bolt on for £7.50 per month that gives you unlimited internet. If you look at O2's tariffs they offer a similar deal on their Text Anytime tariff whereby you get 300 texts for a £10 topup.

http://www.o2.co.uk/explore/tariffs/paygo

Bolt ons here:

http://www.o2.co.uk/explore/tariffs/boltons/paygoboltons

Can't comment on reception as it depends where you live

blizeH

Excellent, thanks AC - so basically I'm looking at £7.50 a month for the internet, and then the free texts should be the same as my current plan, is that right?

Might stick with my Orange sim for a month and see how much of an internet bill I use up, although to be honest Unlimited internet is mighty tempting anyway... just because I imagine if you have an iPhone, it's quite important for that kinda stuff!

Thanks for the 12 months free data info - the guy was going to send me his sim card that he got with his new 3GS though, which has the free internet on I think - just hope I can transfer my number across!

bendix

I'm on a £45 a month deal with o2 for the 3Gs. A stunnnig phone. The free wifi on Cloud and BT Openzone is well worth it,and the unlimited data connection for when yuo havent got a wifi connection is free too.

Excellent deal. I think i get 500 free texts and 1200 free minutes calls in the UK too.

The other point to remember with free unlimited internet is that if you're smart, you can use Skype on iphone to call overseas for very very little or - better - free to other skype users.

ACDeag

blizeH wrote: »

Excellent, thanks AC - so basically I'm looking at £7.50 a month for the internet, and then the free texts should be the same as my current plan, is that right?

Might stick with my Orange sim for a month and see how much of an internet bill I use up, although to be honest Unlimited internet is mighty tempting anyway... just because I imagine if you have an iPhone, it's quite important for that kinda stuff!

Thanks for the 12 months free data info - the guy was going to send me his sim card that he got with his new 3GS though, which has the free internet on I think - just hope I can transfer my number across!

That would work, if he gives you the SIM that comes with a new phone then you will get 12 months unlmited. You have to use that SIM and you can transfer your number to it with a PAC.

Any

With O2, if you sign up for 12 mths contract SIM only you get 600 mins and 1200 text and unlimited internet for £20 a month.

Do it via Quidco and you get £100 cashback...

I am planning on the same - buy phone separately and then this.
I don't think I am ever going to go over that as I currently only do 200 mins and 200 txt a month, so it should really only be £20 a month.

Just an idea if you want the internet..

blizeH

Awesome, thanks guys - the 12 month contract SIM sounds great - so basically £140 (£11.67 p/m) for the year after after Quidco for the free calls, text and internet... sounds ideal really!

My only problem, if I used Quidco, surely I can't get my number changed over using the PAC?

ACDeag

blizeH wrote: »

Awesome, thanks guys - the 12 month contract SIM sounds great - so basically £140 (£11.67 p/m) for the year after after Quidco for the free calls, text and internet... sounds ideal really!

My only problem, if I used Quidco, surely I can't get my number changed over using the PAC?

You use the PAC after getting the SIM from O2