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Original poster

Mobile phone novice entering the contract jungle - any advice? (I'm going to get an iPhone on an O2 contract)

15 replies

MrsFogi · 12/05/2009 17:33

I know, I must be one of the only people in the UK who has never had a mobile contract but surely some kind mners can hold my hand in these shark infested waters.
Is there anything I should be aware of? Do I take it when they say data and wifi is included in the tariff that means I can surf the web free? Any money saving tips? Anything at all in fact - I am a complete mobile phone novice.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsFogi · 12/05/2009 21:45

I'm not alone then - noone else has a phone contract

OP posts:
Vinegar · 13/05/2009 09:30

I would stay away from Carphone Warehouse. It took me months to get out of my contract and I know I'm not the only one. Would love an iphone, but will stick to pay-as-you-go for the future.

ChopsTheDuck · 13/05/2009 09:38

your best bet is to go to o2 direct. I've never had a problem with carphone warehouse but I know people that have. You can jsut order it online and it is very simple.

Yes, you can surf for free. I think you have to pay extra if you want the 16gb version. I have an itouch and I def don't think 8gb is enough. Mine is up to 14gb atm.

ChopsTheDuck · 13/05/2009 09:39

o2 shop

ScorpiowithabigS · 13/05/2009 09:40

on o2, if you sign up for 2 years you get an iphone free, for £35 a month 600 min 500 texts and unlimited interneet usgae.

Go direct to them on that link below.

Ewe · 13/05/2009 09:43

I don't think you have much choice when you're getting an iPhone on o2 (unless they have changed recently). To get the phone free you have to pay either £40 or £45 per month - can't remember which! - or you can pay £35 per month but you have to pay a lump sum for the phone.

I think you have to sign up to an 18 month contract and these are pretty tough to get out of so just make sure you are really happy to commit to this time period.

I had an 8GB iPhone as do most of my friends and we find it absolutely fine but we haven't got loads of music on them so depends obviously on your usage.

babyOcho · 13/05/2009 09:46

I had a pretty painless transaction with Carphone Warehouse. But if you dont feel comfortable using the phone, go to an Apple store. If you dont have an Apple store near by go to an o2 shop.

Unlike other mobile contracts, there is not a cooling off period. Once you buy it then its yours and done.

I think that the contract length is 18 months (not the unusual). My tarrif is about £30 a month (cheapest) and I get bumdled text and mins. YOu do get unlimited wifi (I think that they state reasonable use).

The price is fixed on the unit, so it doesnt matter what retailler you go to. Perhaps they will bundle accessories in, maybe...

Are you going to use it as an ipod as well? If so then you should think about getting the 16gb.

babyOcho · 13/05/2009 09:47

Good lordy....
not *that unusual
*bundled

Original poster
MrsFogi · 13/05/2009 22:31

So why do people use carphonewarehouse - is it to get some freebies thrown in or to transact face to face? Are they horrific? I take it their price would be the same as direct with O2 online?

OP posts:
ChopsTheDuck · 14/05/2009 08:19

usually for extras (freebies, extra minutes) or a specific handset. I think I switched to them originally because of a handset I wanted that wasn't available from o2's shop. Stuck with them since as I haven't had any issues.
Not an issue for you, so I'd stick with o2, as the customer service tends to be a bit better.

BelfastBloke · 14/05/2009 08:49

I'm thinking about getting an iPhone.

  1. If you get an iPhone, can you keep your regular mobile phone number (from Vodafone), or do you have to get a new one?
  1. Do iPhones HAVE to be on o2?

[Sorry for hijack, but thought answers to my questions might aid OP as well]

ChopsTheDuck · 14/05/2009 09:03

you can port your number, you would jsut need to call vodaphone and ask them for the PAC code which you give to O2.
I believe the iphone is only available on o2. I'd quite like one, but the email sync isn't good enough for what I need.

Catilla · 14/05/2009 09:18

Chops could you elaborate on the email sync please? We're considering them for work, but I'm suspicious about sync with Exchange... is that what you meant, or internet email?
Thanks!

ChopsTheDuck · 14/05/2009 10:37

I think with Exchange it can be set up to push emails as they come through, so you would be ok, but don't take my word for it!

With personal accounts though, it's limited to checking at set intervals, so I'm sticking to my blackberry for now.

Original poster
MrsFogi · 14/05/2009 11:36

Hijackers welcome as you may ask questions I wouldn't think of!
I have a Mac at home and a .Mac email account so I take it my emails would just turn up on my iphone automatically?

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