Recommendations on mobile phone companies

We're a family that will be heading over to Colchester, Essex in about two months.  We have unlocked phones and shortly after we arrive would like to get a UK mobile phone service (SIM cards).  Trying to figure out the best mobile phone service plan for us.  Looking for any recommendations.  I've heard some good things about three.co.uk.  Thoughts? 

I've been with Three for nearly 2 years now. Perfect for me, especially when I visit my elderly father in the US. A friend recommended Three, and he's also been very happy with the plan options and service.

Three, if they have good coverage in the area you will be living.

Their "Feel at Home" package can't be beat!

I have Three as well and am really happy with it.

The Feel at Home package is great - thankfully most of the countries I've been to in the last couple of years have been covered under Feel at Home .

Three can't be beat for the feel at home package, especially when visiting the states. 

If three doesn't work for some reason, next best might be Giff gaff.  You'll be able to roam for free in the EU (like all of the providers, thank you EU), but not in the states.  Overall, Giff gaff might be cheaper and require less contract obligation. 

Three is great.  I have great coverage and the rates are the cheapest I've found.

three for sure my husband & i both have 30gb each for £20 a month each!

Thanks for the recommendations.  So -- how do I find out if Three is in my area?  We'll be living in Colchester, Essex.  Next, how do we sign up?  We'll come over with our US T-mobile service, but would like to switch over within a week of arriving if possible.

You can check a map to be sure there is good signal strength near your future home and work


http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Network/Coverage


Don't worry, there's mobile phone stores everywhere, just to walk into a 3 store, Carpphonewarehouse or a Tesco that has a phone store.

You'll want to do it as quick as possible so you have Internet, but you may need a bank account to pay for it.  Not sure

Thanks for the recommendations.  So -- how do I find out if Three is in my area?  We'll be living in Colchester, Essex.  Next, how do we sign up?  We'll come over with our US T-mobile service, but would like to switch over within a week of arriving if possible.

Are you using a t-mobile phone here with a three sim card?  Unlock your phone now if possible.  When I first came over I thought I'd unlock it and although it was supposed to take a day it took 3 weeks. I was relying on WiFi everywhere I went--I've never been to so many Starbucks before in my life!

If you are fresh off the boat, don't wAlk into a mobile phone store without a sceptical tech savvy British person with you.  There's an unlimited number of ways they can rip you off and they will shamelessly do every one of them.  You'll end up with a 24 month contract with expensive insurance.

There's a funny show called phone store you should watch as preparation.

If you are fresh off the boat, don't wAlk into a mobile phone store without a sceptical tech savvy British person with you.  There's an unlimited number of ways they can rip you off and they will shamelessly do every one of them.  You'll end up with a 24 month contract with expensive insurance.

Yes, I find it's best to know exactly what you want ahead of going in! Especially if you already have a phone, just go in and be like 'I would like a Pay As You Go SIM card for Three' or whatever and have an idea of how much top up credit you want to add on before going in.  (I only ever top up by £10 or £15 as it lasts ages.)

When I bought my phone I had written down the name of the model I wanted and went in with that.  They didn't try to upsell me anything as it was clear I knew what I wanted.

Edited to add: this does remind me of trying to buy a phone case for my recent phone, which Carphone Warehouse didn't have.  They pointed me towards this sketchy little shop on the high street that 'fixes phones' although they seem to make most of their money from fidget spinners and vaping accessories.  The only phone case they had for my type of phone was in the shape of a grenade.  Um, no thanks.

We are still here in the US.  Here we have T-mobile.  All of our phones are unlocked.  Would be be better to order the SIM cards on line directly from Three (do they deliver to the UK -- or should we just have them delivered to our new place in Colchester?)  while we are still here and then just put them in when we arrive in the UK?

I live in Southern Essex and I use O2 because I like their international calling plan.  For £10 a month I can call my parents just as if I was calling a UK number and they can also call me.  That's just my personal preference- have a look and see what might work best for you. 

There will definitely be a Three store, an O2 store, and a Carphone Warehouse in Colchester, along with several other phone stores.