Three

[Macy]

Anyone with three? My old talk and text nokia has a cracked screen, and looking around the Mini Flex Max plan should do me ok and is even beating my vodafone simple tarrif that I'm currently on. I've looked on boards, but obviously their 3 board is full of problems and may not be representative.

Phone wise looking at the HTC Wildfire S or Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray. Totally new to smart phones so not sure. 3 shop is pushing the latter, (the former is free with that plan). Both android and appear to do what I want... I won't be doing anything major on them - I'm not usually that far from a desktop or laptop to be honest.

[tetsujin1979]

I'm on three, and can't really recommend them apart from the data plan.

Coverage is ropey anywhere outside city centres, walking across the room at home can cause my signal connection to go from full bars to nothing at all.

As soon as my contract ends next month, I'm going back to o2.

[Lev Yashin]

I'm with them. I haven't had a problem. I get the odd drop(not loss) of signal but nothing major. I use my phone for browsing, catching up with the news,twitter or online games. I fnd their all you can eat data excellent so much so i have downloaded complete films or TV shows to my phone.

I have a Galaxy S2 and cant recommend it enough, i was a die hard iphoner beofre it.

Was with O2 before and the signal is pretty much the same, but of course that all depends where you are.

[BonnieShels]

I'm with them. I haven't had a problem. I get the odd drop(not loss) of signal but nothing major. I use my phone for browsing, catching up with the news,twitter or online games. I fnd their all you can eat data excellent so much so i have downloaded complete films or TV shows to my phone.

I have a Galaxy S2 and cant recommend it enough, i was a die hard iphoner beofre it.

Was with O2 before and the signal is pretty much the same, but of course that all depends where you are.

I moved from O2 in the last 3 weeks and I have to say I am delighted over on 3. I have the S2 as well and like Shannonman I can't recommend it highly enough.

I find the data speeds are far and away superior to O2's. to the point where I forget to put wifi on when I'm in the house.

I will say that I have been an O2 customer since 2001 and they have gone downhill in the last 3 years!

[Macy]

Thanks. I've been happy enough with vodafone, and it does suit because of family members who are also on it (so free calls and texts), but them and o2 just can't get close to the price of the plan and would be just as limited texts and calls, and much more limited data. 3 coverage map is showing it'd be outside only at the house, but I've wifi at home anyway. Can't see it being an issue in work.

[BonnieShels]

You can download apps like Cabbage text, Whatsapp and viber to make up for the lack of unlimited texts.

Defo make the move.

[nigel-harps1954]

Friend of mine is on 3 and thinks it's great. Switching from Meteor now myself because I'm fed up with them and going onto 3 now on his recommendation.

[BonnieShels]

So we are all agreed 3>(o2=TescoMobile)>(Meteor=eMobile)>Vodafone

[nigel-harps1954]

Pretty much. Except for Tesco Mobile, load of balls.

[BonnieShels]

Tesco is a VMNO on O2's network.

[nigel-harps1954]

Meh, o2 is a load of balls too. So I guess it's hand in hand.

[BonnieShels]

Meh, o2 is a load of balls too. So I guess it's hand in hand.

hence O2=TescoMobile

On further inspection I may have needed some brackets...

[Macy]

Thanks all. Going to make the switch next week, as whatever about actually at home (like I said, i've wifi there anyway), the coverage seems ok for my main areas of use. Not sure I like an 18 month contract, but it's not like I've changed that often in the past...

[BonnieShels]

Also 3 have a GSM roaming agreement with o2 for those blackspots here and there.
There's an odd network blackspot on the dart from Merrion Gates to Booterstown.

[nigel-harps1954]

hence O2=TescoMobile

On further inspection I may have needed some brackets...

Now it makes sense.

[Macy]

Just to say, I did some research on my actual usage, and I reckon vodafone (my way) is actually coming out as the best deal when you include what would be out of plan costs with 3. As it turns out, the vast majority of my calls and texts are vodafone to vodafone, plus with the international text option so for the extra I reckon it'll work out better. Plus I need the roaming in the next month or so (which 3 will want an upfront charge for). My only concern is less data, but as it's my first smartphone I really don't know whether that's going to be an issue yet - I'd be just guessing, so at least I'll have options to increase it rather than switching for something I might not use. And feck it, going Galaxy S2...

[Lev Yashin]

My only concern is less data, but as it's my first smartphone I really don't know whether that's going to be an issue yet

It will be...you have no idea!

You will use it so much, especially if you go for the S2.

[Macy]

Maybe, but when I looked at it in the round (my call costs, missus call costs, international calls/ texts, plus, roaming and out of plan charges on 3 etc) rather than just the headline bill cost, 3 isn't that great as it turns out for me. Obviously that's just me rather than a sweeping Vodafone is better than 3 for everyone.

[Macy]

Just on this, I was checking out the insurance. €120 per year with Vodafone Stay Mobile (€35 excess), €12.60 per year to add it as a specified all risks on my house insurance (with no excess payable)....

[Macy]

Just to come back on the insurance - the premium was all well and good, but it would mean a loss of no claims bonus, so decided against that route. Haven't made the purchase of the s2 yet - my head was kinda turned over the weekend by the iphone 4s. However, coming back around to android since. Even feckin stupid things with apple, like no FM radio even when it has the bloody technology in it, just not turned on.