UK cell phone companies

Anyone have an opinion on which one you like best??  I think I'm going with O2 because of the international calling options...and the "call me number" tht let's my family use a special number to call me from their cell phones and not get chgd international rates....

Any opinions would be appreciated.....

I'll be using an iPhone...

Thanks

I can't comment on the international rates as I use alternative communication methods, but I have been with T-Mobile for 6 years and have zero complaints. Good luck in deciding. 

Not sure about international calling rates with them, but I'm with Orange... mostly for the 2 for 1 cinema tickets on Wednesdays ('Orange Wednesdays') . Apart from that, I have a Sony Experia X8 and I get 100 minutes, unlimited texts and 250MB of internet for £12 a month (should be £15, but they give discount for government employees ). I would get an iPhone or similar but I don't use my phone for calls that much (mostly texts and internet), so for me it wouldn't be worth paying much more per month.

hey i just noticed that tmobile is in UK.. called "T-mobile UK" .. anyone used them before? Is it same company as the US version?

Yes and no. Same parent company but they operate separately. I had T Mobile in the US and also use them here.

hey i just noticed that tmobile is in UK.. called "T-mobile UK" .. anyone used them before? Is it same company as the US version?

I had a ton of issues with dropped texts, them 'forgetting' (their own term) that I paid my bill and cancelling my bb internet service (happened 3 times), and frequently being 'out of service area' though I live in Zone 2 of London.

That's been my experience, YMMV.

I am just much happier with O2  now, but I do not use their international calling plan- I use apps to keep in touch with my international fam & friends (because, you know, FREE).

I was also going to say that I use apps and the internet to keep in touch.  Before checking out international prices, I'd double check on other options and compare the prices.  For instance, you can get a call me type number from skype and just link it to your phone without paying international rates.

One piece of advice would be to not just ask here, but ask people around where you live.  Cover areas vary widely, and a company that works great in one village can be spotty in another.

Thanks for the info.....what apps do you use?   We will be living near Cantebury so know there is O2 stores there and a big university....I'll bet the students would know...I'll ask around when I get there.....

My issue is that my sister does not have a landline so I don't want her to hve to pay international chgs on her cell....and we are very close...so I must find something besides video calling to keep in touh with her because of the time difference ...to be able to talk and text..anytime.....

The thing that interested me the most about o2 was the "call me number".... Let's her call me as though I'm right next door.....this is the one thing that I will pay for no matter how much it cost when We move......someway to keep my contact with family the same as possible.......

Nsb25, I have O2, and I'd rate it as a good service. Lately I have had issues with O2 dropping my calls randomly, but up until this started happening I've never had any issues.

If you call your sister, she will not pay international charges, since it is an incoming call. However, for her to call or text you will be very expensive, unless you have the 'call me number', which is probably a better option.

I used to have an O2 bolt-on that allowed me deeply discounted calls to the USA. But now I mainly use skype and apps.

If your sister has a smartphone, and you have one here in the UK, there are a lot of apps that you can use to call and text for free internationally using data and WiFi. Some examples are Whatsapp, Viber, Kik, etc. That's what I use to stay in touch with my family (my sister and I are best friends too).

There are also some great SIM only options like Lyca moblie or Lebara.

3 Mobile also allows for free skype to skype calls which may work out cheaper for you if all the people you are calling have access to skype.  

This article may be useful to you as well: Free Int'l Mobile Calls

I've been here almost 2 years now and still haven't felt it cost-effective to sign up for a mobile contract. I've used T-mobile pay-as-you-go since I've arrived. Service has been fine, phones are great. Int'l rates to the States are 5p/minute and various "top up" options allow you a certain number of free int'l minutes per month. I've found that people here in the UK favor texting over calling, and even with having to pay per text, I barely use enough to justify a contract.

We keep a landline b/c the price was good when bundled with our cable and internet which allows me to receive calls from family in the States.

Skype has been to easiest (and obviously cheapest) way to keep in touch with folks back home.

Thanks for all the info.....since we will be going over to get a flat, utilities etc set up, we will get the phones worked out then too......then back to the states to pick up our cats say our final farewells and head back over.....hopefully with everything sorted when we get there for good......just hop off the plane, drive to our flat and we are home!!!!! Done and dusted.....