A this a good deal ?

[BigLamp]

I found a website coolnewmobile.co.uk that offers the LGU990 on mix&match 300 £15/mth (18) without forcing you to take the £9/mth video addon. Is this valid?
Also you can add £5/mth internet max (1 Gb fair usage) and the phone for £99.99, giving a £20/mth (18) deal with overall cost £460 over the contract period. This seems a good deal, can anyone verify this is correct.

Also can anyone advise what 3 coverage is like in Northern Ireland
thanks:)

[gonzokev]

The deal sounds reasonable, but I'd ask around and see if anybody knows anything about the retailer, as I've not heard of them. I've heard some horror stories to just exercise some caution when dealing with lesser known dealers.
With regards to the second question, have a look at the coverage checker on http://www.three.co.uk and that should give you an idea of Three's coverage in your area.

[aldo]

im pretty sure phones4u do a similar deal, check out their site

[BigLamp]

thanks for useful replies. I've heard tales that 3's coverage is not as good as indicated on their site, is anyone aware of how realistic their coverage is, especially in the west of NI?
:)

[gonzokev]

No idea what their coverage is like in NI. Their coverage checker provides accurate readings in my area (Winchester) though. If you're not sure, the best thing I can suggest is to go to a local phone retailer (a 3store preferably if you have one local to you) and they'll usually be good enough to give you an idea. Phones4u, much as I usually knock them, provided a good, impartial view of the coverage of all the networks in my area.

[gonzokev]

I meant to say, a 3store would be preferable because you'd be able to have a play with the handsets and you'd be able to see if the coverage would be any good. If you're in or near a main town, I would imagine you'd get a decent signal. And if the 3g coverage is patchy, there's always the backup of the Orange network.

[BigLamp]

Appologies for ignorance, is "3" piggybacked on oranage and would mobile switch to orange if O's signal was stronger where ever mobile was used?
Also I see that O do this mobile on Dolphin 20 (12) with off-peak unlimited access, do you know what speed access is i.e. 3/3.6G?

thanks:)

[Mogna]

Need 7710 theme, software, games, cool staffs. Pls reply. "ananto7@hotmail.com"

[andros1963]

Hi Biglamp

No problems with 3 in N.I have been with them for 3 years and just gets better.........i'm in newtownards perfect signal and dont forget if you go over the border you take your tariff with you as long as on 3 Irl

hope this helps

[gonzokev]

If it's data you're after, orange's tariffs are extraordinarily stingy. 3 are a much better bet for that. 3 will go on to Orange's GSM network when you're out of range of 3's own network, so yeah, 3 borrow Orange 2g in areas where their 3g has no coverage.

[gonzokev]

Need 7710 theme, software, games, cool staffs. Pls reply. "ananto7@hotmail.com"

You should create your own thread rather than hijacking somebody elses. It's not as though it's even close to being on topic.

[Miles]

Yes good point gonzokev

Please take note Mogna

[BigLamp]

thanks gonzokev, it sounds like 3 is my best bet for NI, and also for my home district of tyne & wear. Have you any experience of the 'turbo' access and does it cost more than std 3G?

[gonzokev]

I've no experience of the turbo network, as it's not yet enabled in my area and I don't have an HSDPA handset. However, I can say, with 100% certainty that you won't be charged more for using it.

[BigLamp]

please explain how you can state for certainty that turbo won't cost more. I'm sceptical since t-mobile dropped it from their std web'n'walk recently (see Viewty hsdpa thread) and wonder if/when 3 will do the same.
thanks:)

[gonzokev]

At the moment, at least, 3 are not differentiating between their standard 3G network and the turbo one for price.

As to whether that will happen, I honestly don't know. But for the time being at least, the HSDPA network is priced exactly the same.

I would like to think that 3 wouldn't do this, but obviously I can't say for certain. Having an HSDPA network with no additional cost over the standard 3G network (and bearing in mind the level of coverage there will be) will be a huge selling point for 3, and I would imagine their execs would know this!

[BigLamp]

thanks gonzokev. I visited three store today and they had this phone on payg for £270, to which £5/mth webmax can be added, so this wiil be my xmas pressie.
thanks for all the helpful advice.

[gonzokev]

You're welcome. Hope it all works out ok. I certainly am more that happy with Three. :)