Smart phones (e.g. HTC Wildfire) - Internet costs + PAYG or contract?

PlasticMan_2

wrenlegs wrote: »

Will the signal be ok? How will I tell?

Most network websites have a map to give you some idea, although it's often not very detailed and possibly can't be trusted.

If this is really an issue I would suggest instead that PAYG SIM cards can be bought for 99p in newsagents or from websites. Often they're free because the network operators are so desperate for you to use their network.

So just pop a SIM in an unlocked phone. Register it but don't put any credit on, and check the signal bars in important areas (your house and work). Try making a call and see if you get through to the "you have no credit" message. Once you're happy with the signal then either top up, or get a SIM only contract, whatever. But don't hand out your number, or port your number until you're satisfied with the network. Unneeded PAYG SIMS from rejected networks can just be binned or saved for a rainy day.

rajni_3

thank you for this information.

parcival

This is fascinating - can I clarify :-

I want a smartphone for minimal phoning (currently PAYg with ASDA), use of a few basic spreadsheets / word docs. I want to use it for diary and contacts plus a bit of email over wiFi. Can this be done without incurring any 'data' charges.

I realise I will have to buy an unlocked phone.

wretch

PlasticMan wrote: »

The Orange San Francisco is a brilliant phone for the money. Unfortunately part of the reason it's so cheap is because it's totally Orangified (my word) and locked to Orange.

For anyone that's a bit confident and just a bit techy the software can be totally wiped and replaced with the latest version of Android without the Orange branding.

If you're not techy and can cope with an 'orangified' (nice word for it ) handset, there are links to websites on the giffgaff community board which will explain how to generate a password to unlock the san francisco for all networks for free.

Also, if you haven't already requested a giffgaff sim card, requesting one from one of the members of the community board (most have links in their sig you can click) will get you a sim which will give you £5 credit free when you activate and top up £10 via giffgaff's referral scheme.

Unicornucopia

Just to let everyone know what I did in the end: I checked out various local stores to look at the handsets. I read the posts and comments on this and other sites (e.g. Which?) and I found that the Orange SF prices had gone up and then would need unlocking so I could use O2 and then de-Orangeified - which I would never dream of doing myself but know a man who does (at a price).

I really liked the look of the HTC Wildfire but O2 (the network I wanted) did not appear as a network option on any of the websites or comparison sites I checked and the alternative was to go for an unlocked phone but these were on sale at over £200. However, when I checked eBay, I found someone who was selling two brand new HTC wildfire's on the O2 network! I missed out on winning the first one (sold for £145) but was the winning bidder on the second one less than a minute later at £137 - result!

Not only have I got an absolutely brilliant phone that is light years ahead of my old phone I received eBay points (to offset against future eBay purchases), I was able to use my existing O2 simplicity sim (£5 a month for unlimited texts) that can link to the internet via my home wireless network (not tried wifi out and about yet), I don't need to switch to a £10 a month data package using the same sim card until I am ready (July/August), I am now in the process of switching to O2 broadband and telephone saving me £6.18 a month compared to my existing AOL and BT combined, I am getting £91.80 cash back from Topcashback at the end of March as I bought the broadband package via their site, I get free broadband for three months plus an upgraded router which arrived today, I received £50 from my wife as a birthday present towards the cost of the phone - overall result, I am a very happy bunny! Pity I forgot to go via Nectar before buying on eBay as I would have had even more to celebrate as I think they were doing triple points rewards. Oh, and that man who does the unlocking he also sells cases and after unsuccesfully buying an appropriate case at O2 or Vodaphone stores I bought a flip case from him for £8 that is absolutely perfect.

Cash-Strapped.T32

parcival wrote: »

This is fascinating - can I clarify :-

I want a smartphone for minimal phoning (currently PAYg with ASDA), use of a few basic spreadsheets / word docs. I want to use it for diary and contacts plus a bit of email over wiFi. Can this be done without incurring any 'data' charges.

I realise I will have to buy an unlocked phone.

Yes.
Like a pc, most programs do not require an internet connection, some can do without but lose the odd function, and others are totally dependant on the computer being online (like the browser you are reading this message in).

The proggies you describe (Office, diary/contacts etc..) mostly do not require an internet connection to be active (think of it in such terms & most of this is easy to figure out), just as they usually wouldn't on a pc.


For example, I use my phone almost entirely "offline", ie' I don't use my data allowance (although I keep it as an unpaid for option in case I ever do in a hurry), but I use an awful lot of office programs & other tools like call-recording etc.

That's to say it's an entirely legitimate use for a smartphone, although like with proper PCs, it never pays to buy the latest & most expensive if all you need to do is run office apps, and some machines really are geared more toward the internet experience or games rather than hard working "desktop" apps - similar but not identical rules of thumb apply to smartphones.

Best of luck.

chrisd8780

JJ_Egan wrote: »

I key in my Wifi password does this mean that I can use the internet on my phone for free since it will be going through my home broadband

Yes if you use home wifi its free . Likewise fre internet wifi in places like coffee shops etc .



jje

Is that the same for when your watching sky sports/tv on your phone got it free for 30 days don't want to cane data allowance

grumbler

The phone connects to the internet either via mobile signal or via wifi, not both. When it is connected via wifi mobile data allowance is not used.