Mobile Network Comparison

After all their denials and our varied suppositions about the wisdom of a rebrand, it’s turned out that the rumours are true. Everything Everywhere is intent on driving home the advance it is enjoying from having a huge head start on the forth-generation (4G) mobile broadband roll-out in the UK. It’s going to rebrand itself in Orange and T-Mobile stores as EE to emphasise its position as the only 4G carrier in the country.

For those of you who haven’t been following this too closely, Everything Everywhere is the parent company of the super-network formed by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile. When the two networks joined together and merger their mobile infrastructure, they had lots of spare capacity to route their mobile communications. Each mobile network has to buy the rights to certain bands of frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum so hat the different carriers’ radio signals don’t overlap. When they joined, they ended up with lots spare and, earlier this year, Ofcom approved their request to use this spectrum to carry 4G signals.

All the other mobile networks have been waiting for some time for Ofcom to allow them to bring out 4G services. There’s been a much-delayed spectrum auction of spectrum that is necessary to carry the signals. Because there’s been such a fuss kicked up about the exact details of the 4G spectrum auction, it’s been delayed until late 2013. This meant that, despite the fact that other developed West European nations are already running 4G services, no UK network could offer 4G connectivity before the auction. That was, until Ofcom let Everything Everywhere use their existing 1.8 Mhz spectrum.

So now, Everything Everywhere are the only company with the spectrum available to begin operating 4G services until next year’s auction. There was much speculation that they would take advantage of this huge boon by scrapping the crappy Everything Everywhere brand (which most people don’t even know about) and launching a high-profile new 4G-only brand. And, even though they tried to pretend this wasn’t the case, that’s exactly what has happened. On 12th September, they held a massive media event in London announcing the “new” network called EE.

The press conference was located in the Science Museum in South Kensington and had some high-profile guests including bumbling buffoon Boris Johnson. It was announced that all 700 Orange and T-Mobile shops will be rebranded with EE logos. It will be emphasising the speed of 4G which can go up to five times faster than the current 3G services and will also offer high-speed wired broadband. It is hoped that the 4G service will be available in many cities and will be usable for all of EE’s 27 million customers soon. As the service is rolled out across the country, the population coverage in 2013 is said to be about 70% with that number rising to 98% by 2014.

The new EE-branded stores will be available for customers of the EE 4G network as well as Orange and T-Mobile customers confirming it as the UK’s biggest network. Even the network report on people’s handsets will start saying “EE” too. The parent company’s official name will still be Everything Everywhere, however, with Orange, T-Mobile and EE being subsidiaries.

Which handsets can get 4G on EE?

Unsurprisingly, only the latest handsets can use the 4g service. The launch devices include Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, Nokia Lumia 920, Nokia Lumia 820, HTC One XL and Huawei Ascend P1 LTE. Of course, the iPhone 5 will run on EE’s 4G LTE network too. Mobile internet dongles and hotspots will also be able to use 4G internet starting with the Huawei E589 Mobile WiFi and the Huawei E392 Mobile Broadband stick.

Where will 4G be available?

EE have already started turning on and testing their 4G network in four major cities – London, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. By Xmas this year, they hope to have a total of 16 areas set up and connected. The other cities to get 4G coverage by then will be Edinburgh, Belfast, Derby, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton. Presumably, other big cities such as Leicester, Coventry, Bradford, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Southampton, Brighton and Hove will follow soon afterwards.

As the service is still launching, there is no official EE coverage checker yet but you can use the Orange coverage checker and the T-Mobile coverage checker for now.

Will EE be available on PAYG?

No – EE is set to be a contract-only network. You won’t be able to get access to 4G without paying contract prices. Of course, Orange and T-Mobile will still offer PAYG options.

Can I keep my phone number if I want to move to EE?

Of course. It will still be really simple to bring your mobile number with you if you want to change network.

How fast is the 4G LTE mobile connection?

4G is technically able to provide speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This is faster than almost all home broadband currently available and it should go without saying that it blows away current mobile internet performance. Of course, it probably won’t start off quite this fast and the speeds you get will depend upon how many other people are using it at the same time. However, the possibilities are pretty exciting and the potential for HD video streaming of films and TV and high-bandwidth multiplayer games makes 4G a proposition to watch. The speeds that will initially be offered should be at least 20 Mbps+ and will hopefully rise fairly rapidly.

After being announced last week, the new iPhone 5 finally went on sale today in the UK. Queues outside the Apple Store in London were the biggest ever seen and it looks set to break all sales records despite the issues with the Maps app.

If, like many others, you’ve decided that the iPhone 5 is a must have handset, you’ve almost certainly had a look at the dazzling array of tariffs on offer. While you may be sure that the new model is the phone for you, it might not be so clear which option to go for when there are so many different tariff choices across five main networks. Then, things are made even more complex by the fact that you don’t even need to buy the iPhone 5 on a contract deal – you can also buy unlocked handsets directly from Apple which you can then use on any PAYG tariffs you choose. In total there there are over 100 different tariff combinations for new iPhone 5 users to consider – how on earth can you possibly decide the best one for you?

Total cost of ownership

Many people aren’t aware that there’s a metric you can use to fairly compare different tariffs across networks with different allowances. It even allows a comparison between contract offers and PAYG.

All you need to do is to calculate the Total cost of ownership. This is just the overall amount you’ll have to pay over the course of your whole contract (or for the equivalent length of time on PAYG) for your new iPhone 5. You work it out by adding the initial cost of the handset to the monthly price of the plan multiplied by the length of the contract (in months). Or, if you speak maths:

Total cost of ownership = cost_handset + cost_{monthly tariff} × t_{contract length}

As the SIM-free option involves a large upfront payment followed by a far cheaper PAYG tariff while contracts usually have subsidised (or even free) handsets with pricier charges over the following months, this is the best way to compare the available options.

Quite often you’ll find that even if you get the iPhone 5 “free” on a certain deal, it will actually end up costing you £100s more than if you’d gone for an equivalent contract with a lower monthly cost but a higher initial handset price.

For example, O₂ offer the 64GB iPhone 5 on a 24 month contract with 5 options – ranging from £63/month to £26/month and with initial handset outlays of between £450 and £70. All these options come with exactly the same allowances – unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of mobile data.

If you think it sounds a good idea to get the iPhone 5 for “only” £70 you should work out the total cost of ownership – if you have to pay £63 per month for 24 months on top of this (making a total of £1204), your total price over 2 years would be £1274. However, if you chose to pay the £450 price for the phone upfront, you only have to pay an additional £624 making the final amount you pay just £1074. It psycholgically seems a lot to pay £450 for a phone but you save £200 over two years by doing this – almost half that £450! So, you can clearly see that you can save a huge amount by just running some simple calculations before buying.

iPhone 5 16GB price comparison

In this comparison we’ve looked at all the deals available for the iPhone 5 16GB version from the major UK networks (O₂, 3, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone) as well as the cheapest PAYG alternative from Giffgaff using their incredible value goodybags. We’ve only looked at 24 month contracts because almost all the networks only offer this length and they provide the best value.

We’ve considered what people want when choosing a tariff and have decided to further break down our analysis into separate sections so you can see which deal is best for you. We’ve not only looked at the cheapest way to get a iPhone 5 overall – we’ve also looked at the best offers for unlimited minutes and unlimited data. Don’t forget to also keep in mind the coverage in your area for the network you want to go with – our network coverage maps will let you know how good the signal strength is.

The absolute cheapest iPhone 5 16GB deal in the UK

Orange and T-Mobile

First of all, due to the delayed Ofcom spectrum auction Orange and T-Mobile (under the guise of EE) will be, for the time being, the only UK networks able to offer 4G LTE speeds. So if you’re desperate for an injection of internet speed, it’s worth considering going with them rather than waiting for everyone else to catch-up.

The cheapest deal available on Orange comes with as much calls and texts as you want as well as a 1GB data allowance. It will cost you £36/month and you’ll have to fork out £110 initially for the phone. This makes the total cost of ownership £974 over the course of your contract.

⇒ Read more about this Orange tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

T-Mobile may be run by the same company as Orange so it’s not surprising that many of their offers are very similar. To get the lowest price on the iPhone 5 you still have to pay £36/month and the initial cost of the phone is £109. With this you get 2000 minutes, as well as as unlimited texts and data and the total price is just £1 less at £973. So you should decide whether you prefer to have unlimited data with T-Mobile or unlimited minutes on Orange.

⇒ Click here to read more about this tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Three

Three’s cheapest tariff costs just £895 over two years. This is with a £34 monthly cost and a £79 upfront cost. You get with it 500 minutes, 5000 texts and unlimited data. However, there’s a much better tariff available for only £2/month more. It’s the famous One Plan and comes with effectively unlimited minutes (2000 any-network, 5000 Three-to-Three), a huge 5000 texts and a totally unlimited data allowance. This makes a total of £943 over the 24 month contract which still saves you a few quid over the EE options with Orange and T-Mobile.

⇒ Click here to compare these tariffs, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Vodafone

You can save just a few quid with Vodafone. Their cheapest offering overall comes with 600 minutes, unlimited SMS and just 500MB of mobile data. It will cost you £149 for the phone then £33/month for the next two years. This adds up to a total of £941, just a bit cheaper than Three’s lowest tariff.

⇒ Read more about this Vodafone tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

O₂

If you don’t need a massive data allowance, O₂ have a great deal available. If you can pay the £250 handset charge, you’ll only have to pay £26/month for unlimited calls and texts and 1GB of mobile internet. This makes a total cost of ownership of the iPhone 5 of just £874.

⇒ Check out this tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Giffgaff

If, however, you just want to get your greasy mitts on the iPhone 5 at the lowest price possible, budget PAYG network Giffgaff is by far your best choice. By picking up the 16GB model of the iPhone 5 for £529 unlocked, you can then get a completely free Giffgaff SIM (which comes with £5 free credit if you use our link). Then just get on the £10 goodybag for as long as you want paying just £10/month. Including the £5 bonus you get from ordering through our site, this makes your total over two years only £764 for 250 minutes, unlimited data and 1GB mobile data (upgradable to truly unlimited internet for just £2/month). You also get unlimited Giffgaff-to-Giffgaff calls for free.

That’s a full £210 cheaper than choosing Orange or T-Mobile and over £100 less than any other network!

⇒ Get your free Giffgaff SIM now ⇐
⇒ Then click here to order an unlocked iPhone 5 ⇐

The cheapest iPhone 5 16GB with unlimited calls

*minutes aren’t truly unlimited, but 2000 any-network plus 5000 Three-to-Three is close enough for us.

Giffgaff

Unfortunately Giffgaff don’t offer unlimited minutes on any plan any more so we can’t include them.

T-Mobile

Although you do get the benefit of a working 4G network, T-Mobile actually has by far the worst deal available for unlimited calls. You must pay £49 upfront followed by a further £41 every month. You do get unlimited texts and data too though. The total price will be over a grand – £1,033 to be exact.

⇒ Click here to read more about this tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Vodafone

Vodafone’s best deal comes to a total of £987 if you want unlimited minutes. You get unlimited texts too and 1GB of inclusive data but you have to pay £99 for the handset followed by £37/month.

⇒ Read more about this Vodafone tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Orange

Orange’s best price is marginally better. You get the same deal as with Vodafone – unlimited calls and texts and 1GB of mobile internet but you have to pay £110 to get the handset and a little less every month at just £36. This almost balances out leaving the total cost of ownership at £974.

⇒ Read more about this Orange tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Three

Three has got one of the strongest all-round plans available for the iPhone 5 in its flagship One Plan. If you buy like this you will only have to pay £79 up front then £36/month for the duration of the contact. Unfortunately you don’t quite get truly unlimited calls and texts (though 2000 UK minutes plus 5000 Three-to-Three minutes plus 5000 texts will be effectively unlimited for almost everywhere which is why we felt it was okay to include it). The big benefit is truly unlimited data on Three’s speedy 3G network. The total cost comes to just £943.

⇒ Click here to compare these tariffs, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

O₂

O₂ is easily the best value network on offer if you need to make lots and lots of calls. They offer unlimited calls, unlimited texts and 1GB of mobile internet for just £26/month. The initial handset cost is £250 making the total cost of ownership over two years only £874. Once again, this shows the savings available if you’re able and willing to spend a little more on the upfront costs.

⇒ Check out this tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

The cheapest iPhone 5 16GB with unlimited data

Vodafone and O₂

Vodafone and O₂ are showing just how behind the times they are by not offering a single tariff with unlimited data. As mobile internet is becoming a bigger and bigger part of smartphone use and with the 4G connectivity of the iPhone 5, this is really disappointing. 1GB hasn’t been much for years now and more and more people are finding they require the freedom that unlimited internet tariffs allow.

Orange

Orange have a completely unlimited plan – this amazing tariff has no limit on inclusive minutes, texts or data. Unfortunately, you have to pay for this privilege – while the 16GB handset doesn’t cost a penny, you have to pay £51/month for two years. This makes a total of £1,224 over the length of the contract.

⇒ Read more about this Orange tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s deal is a bit better. As well as unlimited data, you also get unlimited texts and 2000 included UK minutes. You’ll have to pay £109 to start with followed by £36/month making a total outlay of £973.

⇒ Click here to read more about this tariff, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Three

Once again, Three’s One Plan scores well. As usual you get 2000 UK minutes, 5000 Three-to-Three minutes, 5000 texts and truly unlimited internet all for only £36/month. The handset will cost you £79 making the total all-in at £943.

⇒ Click here to compare these tariffs, check coverage or buy this deal now ⇐

Giffgaff

However, Giffgaff have easily the best plan if you’re a big data user who’s also money-conscious. You can really save a packet by going SIM-free then PAYG and you’re not locked into a contract for years. Just order a SIM for free with £5 bonus credit then buy an unlocked iPhone 5. Giffgaff have a great Goodybag that costs only £12/month giving you 250 UK minutes, unlimited Giffgaff-to-Giffgaff calls, unlimited texts and unlimited data. Add on the £529 for the unlocked iPhone 5 (and include the £5 free credit) and your total cost of ownership over a 24 month period is just £812.

⇒ Get your free Giffgaff SIM now ⇐
⇒ Then click here to order an unlocked iPhone 5 ⇐

This just goes to show the importance of doing a total cost of ownership calculation. If you decide to choose Giffgaff instead of a contract on Orange, you’ll save 33%! That’s over £400!

Conclusion

So we hope you’ll now know which iPhone 5 tariff you want to choose. Thanks for reading this far. We’ve linked through to all the deals in the article above so just click though to make the first step towards your shiny new handset 🙂

Hopefully you now understand why total cost of ownership is such a useful metric and have a better idea of how to get the best price on a new iPhone 5. We also expect that we’ve helped you save some money if you were going to buy an iPhone 5. Remember to sign up to our newsletter for our next article on the best deals on the cheapest possible 32GB version of the iPhone 5 in the UK. And, as ever, please feel free to ask any question you may have in the comments below – we’ll try our best to answer every query.

One of the main selling points of the the new iPhone 5 is the updated operating system. iOS is claimed by Apple to have 200+ new features one of the main highly-publicised ones being the new Maps app. The iPhone 5 launch keynote bigged up the Maps app and Scott Forstall showed it off. While it’s commendable that Apple have finally caught up and offered free turn-by-turn navigation, there are many problems with it.

Compared to Google Maps

It’s not just that it doesn’t match up to its predecessor, Google Maps. It falls far behind. “No problem”, you may be thinking, I’ll just use Google Maps instead – one problem with that. Apple, in their infinite wisdom, decided to remove Google Maps to replace it with their app. The big issue with taking the choice away from users in this unilateral way is just how defective Apple iOS 6 Maps is in comparison. Check out these screenshots for example:

Firstly, notice how poor the level of details is compared to Google Maps.

Next, check out the limited live traffic capability.

Even the satellite imagery is really poor resolution. Not going to look good on the new 4″ screen.

These may not be huge issues but you’ll almost certainly find yourself wishing for Google Maps back again or even delaying your upgrade to iOS 6 to keep it. Especially if you miss Street View which Apple don’t even have a version of. Or public transport directions.

Glitches and errors

But that’s not it. Since iOS 6 got released, people have been finding numerous glitches and errors on Apple’s maps. These range from minor niggles like mistakes in satellite imagery stitching, mislabelled areas, extra petrol stations and places listed in the wrong location. For example, Paddington railway station doesn’t exist, Old Trafford in in Sale not Manchester, the birthplace of Shakespeare doesn’t exist, Dublin zoo is in London and a park has been redesignated as an airport. Not only are these errors inconvenient but, in many cases, they’re potentially dangerous.

Check out some of our favourite F-ups:

What do you think? Have you tried the new Apple Maps yet? Are you going to try using it or are you going to stick with Google Maps? And do you think Apple’s app will ever catch with to Google’s?