Just one of the many decisions you have to make when purchasing a new handset is which network to go with. While they’re clambering for your attention in such a competitive market, you’ll probably find a certain number of rewards and incentives being thrown your way in an effort to tempt you over.
Here’s our rundown of the various perks and network benefits available from each provider.
Orange
Who are they?
Originally founded back in 1994, Orange recently merged with fellow network T-Mobile to form the ‘Everything Everywhere’ venture, offering a greater strength of coverage for its 17 million users. Invested in cinema, Orange adverts and sponsorship can regularly been seen accompanying film trailers at your local multiplex.
Network Benefits:
Orange Wednesdays is a weekly offer that provides Orange users with 2 for 1 cinema tickets at participating cinemas. Simply text FILM to 241, and within seconds you’ll be texted a code to use at the box office for your free ticket.
Perfect for:
Movie buffs
View the latest Orange pay monthly phone deals
Vodafone
Who are they?
Founded in 1991, Vodafone is the world’s largest mobile communications company in terms of revenue. They also have interests in Formula 1 racing, sponsoring the Vodafone Maclaren Mercedes team.
Network Benefits:
Head over to vip.vodafone.co.uk for a whole range of promotions and competitions exclusively open to Vodafone users. The network benefits at present include presale tickets for the summer’s festivals and UK Fashion Week, as well as a large range of competitions. Unsurprisingly, there’s also a page devoted to their Formula 1 involvement, with info, inside exclusives, and even more competitions for F1 goodies.
Perfect for:
Petrol heads
View the latest Vodafone pay monthly phone deals
O2
Who are they?
The oldest mobile network on the market, O2 began life as Cellnet back in 1985. After a brief stint as BT Cellnet, the company finally became O2 in 2002. Heavy investment in the music and entertainment industry has lead to the former Millennium dome being rebranded as the O2 arena, as well as a chain of O2 academy music venues around the country.
Network benefits:
Music fans will be in their element with O2, with 48 hour pre-sale tickets for around 4,500 events a year, as well as various perks and goodies available at venues.
Perfect for:
Gig goers
View the latest O2 pay monthly phone deals
T-Mobile
Who are they?
Founded in Germany in 1990, and current bedfellows with Orange, T-Mobile covers much of Europe, and is dedicated to providing great value for its customers.
Network benefits:
The Full Monty (nothing to do with Sheffield strippers) is a new tariff available on T-Mobile, offering unlimited internet, unlimited texts, and 2000 any network minutes, all for just £36 a month. Unlike many ‘unlimited’ offers on other networks, there is no capped limit, so unlimited really does mean unlimited.
Perfect for:
Bargain hunters
View the latest T-Mobile pay monthly phone deals
Talk Mobile
Who are they?
The youngest network provider on the market, Talk mobile was formed in 2007 by the good people at The Carphone Warehouse. Last year, Talk Mobile became the first network to offer unlimited data on a mobile tariff.
Network benefits:
For those who spend a lot of time online, the unlimited data plans are an essential. Once again, there’s no capped limit, and unlimited means unlimited, so you can chat, email, Facebook, surf, and stream to your heart’s content, all at competitive monthly rates.
View the latest TalkMobile pay monthly phone deals
Perfect for:
Internet addicts
3
Who are they?
3 began life in the UK on 3rd March 2003 (That’s right – 03/03/03) and is owned by the wonderfully named Hutchinson Whampoa. 3 initially received criticism for poor network service and reception around the country, but they are now the UK’s fastest growing network, and cover 97% of the UK’s population.
Network benefits:
3 currently has the highest UK coverage for 3G, making it the perfect choice of network when purchasing a tablet contract.
Perfect for:
Tablet users
View the latest 3 pay monthly phone deals
With a range of network benefits to cater for every taste, check out the great pay-as-you-go and contract offers on e2save, and bear in mind some of the great perks you could be lining yourself up for.
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