In 2008 which mobile companies can you trust?

Picko_3

There are a lot of threads/stickies giving details about various mobile phone companies, but some of these companies no longer exist, while new ones continue to appear.

As I'm looking to take out a new contract soon, I was wondering which companies are CURRENTLY the most trustworthy and which to definately to avoid?

I assume that those that have been around the longest are the best to go with?

Also, which companies have recently gone bust - and which ones look like they may go under in the next few months?

Ideally I'd like a cashback deal or one with a free gift (console/laptop) and preferable go via a cashback site (Quidco, etc.).

I'm not too concerned about the number of minutes/texts included, but would prefer a 12 month contract if possible.

I've had both good and bad experiences with mobile companies in the past, so any help gratefully received.

Can anyone out there help

greyster

I would:

Not do cashback

and go through quidco directly to the network you want to be on i.e. T-Mobile at £40 cashback.

Reason for this is that the network does not have to pay commission to another party i.e. CPW or other third party reseller and therefore you are more valuable. At renewal you are more likely to get a better retention offer than someone who bought their phone through a third party.

You can of course argue that you would probably change network at the end of the year and not care but all networks are beginning to focus more on existing customers this year. Gone are the days where it was to easy to go after new customers than keep new ones because it was cheaper.