Pay as you go vs. Pay monthly confusion

Linguist

After being without a mobile for around 6 years, I've decided I'd like to be able to contact people when I'm going to be late, and have something to fill commute boredom and keep in touch with my fiancee when on the move etc.

I've hit a bit of a wall with the whole pay-as-you-go vs. pay monthly thing though! I hope someone can help.

Initially, I thought I only want a cheap phone with capabilities such as internet, email etc. I thought Orange's Rio II looked like a good option. It's £50 to buy and with Orange's Dolphin sim I could get free internet for £10 per month top-up.

Then I saw a deal with Virgin Media. Blackberry Curve with a 24 months contract for £13 a month. It has less texts and only 500Mb of web data. However, I don't intend to stream a lot, and I've read around that 500Mb of data is more than enough for general browsing and messaging.

I'm looking for advice then. To me, it seems like the Virgin deal is a no-brainer - only £3 a month more than what I'd need to top up with Orange to get texts and unlimited internet and I need to spend an initial £50 to get the Rio mobile - and the Blackberry is a better phone in general. Am I missing something? Is there something else I need to consider?

Thanks for your help!

EDIT - I also just found out that Orange's Dolphin plan only has 100Mb of data usage! Another reason for the Virgin deal to stand out?

keith1950

Hi, 500Mb is more than enough for general browsing /emails however if you are going to watch youtube videos or BBC/ITV NEWS etc. install a data counter to make sure you know what you're using.

The cost factor is more down to whether you want to commit yourself to paying £13/month for 24 months or have the ability to cut your costs by stopping top ups if your finances deteriorate. When you take out a contract you are stuck with it for the duration.

robbies_gal

id agree with keith its just working out if you want to commit to 24months-personally i never get a contract that long just because i like to change phones more frequently but if you havent had a phone for years that prob wont bother you