Options for buying a mobile phone

There are several options open to you when buying a mobile phone. The main choice is between a contract and pay-as-you-go. In the UK you can buy credit for a pay-as-you-go-phone and it can last as long as you like. If you don't use the phone often this is obviously going to be the cheapest option. With a contract you have to pay even if you don't use it. That's great for the network operator, but not 4 U. Virgin offer great deals for pay-as-you-go phones. If you use the phone a lot however, the contract option is probably much better. You may want to get insurance especially if you have an expensive phone and spend your day in risky places, like schools. Almost all phones these days come with options such as inbuilt cameras. Consider whether you want one that folds or has a shield over the numbers. If you keep the phone in your pocket this stops the numbers being pressed by mistake. If you have quick dial codes set up, it is all too easy to make a call by accident. It could be very embarrasing when your mates overhear your converstation without you knowing. If you travel worlwide you will need a triband capable phone to be able to use it everywhere, watch out for high call rates from abroad though, and take extra care not to loose it on holiday. If you want to upgrade you can do it through your current operator. They often have surprisingly good deals if you ask. If you want to switch you can buy a new phone and just put the sim-card in. Sometimes it is cheapest to buy a pay-as-you-go offer and then swap your old sim-card into it. make sure you can unlock it from the network first though. If you really want to go high-tech get a 3G phone for video and web access.

UK Operators: Vodafone, T-mobile, Orange, O2, BT, Virgin, 3