I've used Orange in the past and never really had any problem with them. I changed to a contract phone and switched to 02 about 4 years ago and have been with them ever since. Now I live out in the sticks I find the signal on my 02 phone is still perfectly good for my needs, the rates are good and I've always had great customer service. I don't see myself changing anytime in the near future.

The only thing that will make me change is getting the iPhone. I will probably keep my existing number but downgrade to a PAYG.

The iPhone is too pricey for what it is. It's £10 a month more than my Desire for the same package.
I just couldn't stomach that.

Yes but that includes data over and above a normal contract.

Mabye so, but I just couldn't justify £40 a month to get a free iPhone.

Yes but that is your decision. I will probably buy mine outright and go on a low contract for simplicity. Though £40 and free iPhone plus calls and data is not that bad a deal if you look at the other options. I look at the total cost of ownership over 1, 2 and 3 years to decide which way to go.

Been on Vodaphone, T-Mobile and Orange (current) I go to who will give me the best deal at them time. There all crap IMHO.

I switch between O2 and Orange every few years, but I don't think I'll go back to Orange now - their tariffs are meaningless as you always pay more because some calls and texts are inexplicably excluded from your inclusive minutes/texts. O2 have had a few problems lately, but I always pay the same amount.

T-Mobile being the ex-state monopoly, they have the better network here - although O2 and Vodafone aren't far behind. Being the exclusive carrier of the iPhone has brought them a lot of customers, but Android could be a problem for them going forward.

Their 1st generation iPhone plans were expensive, but they dropped them down with the 3GS into a similar range to other provider's smartphone contracts, which is one of the reasons I finally jumped ship.

Yes the initial contracts for the iPhone were high even allowing for the data element. As more have access to use the iPhone its rates have dropped and the consumers are taking up the iPhone in ever greater numbers.

Often forgotten is the included Cloud & BT Openzone access on the iphone too...

I've started on Vodafone in 2001, then changed to Three in 2004 and went back to Vodafone last year. I won't switch again unless there'll be a phone I can't get on Vodafone. Plus it is a best carrier for BlackBerries, with best selection of phones and best software updates for them.

That was worth a few bob as well.

Started in 2000 on Talk 50 with Orange. That was a free 3210

I'm now on Orange PAYG.

Not sure this has any real bearing on things, but the UK certainly seems to be several light years ahead of the US where mobile phone providers is concerned.

Essentially, in the land of the free, you get two providers, Verizon and AT&T. Neither is much liked, and it seems AT&T is getting the dirty end of the stick right now, mainly because they are the only carrier for the iPhone over there. That's right, the only iPhone carrier in the US. Compare that to the UK, where virtually every mobile network supports the iPhone and all manner of other fancy-pants phones.

Here's a blog post from a pro photographer who has decided he's had enough of AT&T...

http://scottbourne.com/post/656537755/w ... -my-iphone