O2 questions

[kritdw]

Hi...
I am coming to Cambridge university this season and am searching for a good carrier for me.
Here in the middle east you do not have any of this may monthly deals so i am practically a novice.

I have heard from my friend that O2 provides the best deals but i have a few questions---

1.Do they provide unlocked phones (N95 8gb)?
2.Can you please suggest a good deal?
I will not need much a 300-400 minutes , 200-300 texts and some other features.

The problem is that i cant see the deals at the o2 site because of ip address lock. Only a person in uk can view them :(

I then found this site

Nokia N95 8GB deals. Compare Nokia N95 8GB

The 'free' deals are pretty topped up on the minutes which will prove useless for me.
Can some one look at the site and then give the details??
I want to simply go to the store and get the deal (not any 3rd party store)

Can someone also tell to what extent is the phone branded and how long does it take to get the new firmware (branded).
Alternately can someone tell me / link me how so safely unbrand??

I have checked their coverage and 3G is available for my area (had to be :) )
Heard that customer service is great.

3 gives some good deals but have heard a lot aginst them , even sites are made against them.

Thanks a lot

[Micky]

1. As far as I know, all O2 new Nokia phones come unlocked, unless someone knows any different?

Welcome to the forums.

[dtm]

If you get it from Carphone it will probably be unlocked but i think most new o2 phones come sim locked. Mr G should know he's a o2 man.

[gaz31]

I am on o2 and my N95 8gb came unlocked,
i think it is only pay as you go phones that come locked to o2.

[gavinguinness]

Been with O2 for 3 years. All their phones, so far, have come unlocked, i.e. I can use any Sim. They still have an O2 wallpaper and screensaver though, which is harmless.

[Geoffers]

All my O2 (contract) phones have come unlocked and I've been with them since Cellnet!
I thought it was one of their selling points.

[kritdw]

Thanks a lot guys.
This definitely makes o2 a league above the other providers.
Can someone please help me get me a good deal also?
Amazingly supporting forum :)

[gavinguinness]

My personal advice, it to look at what you pay overall.

Don't be duped into a 24 month contract for a seemingly "free" phone. Phones aint free. The network/dealers get a cash provision often refered to as a Hardware Fund. This is used to pay for the phone. Anything over, you pay. Anything under, the generally keep.

I know for a fact that they don't get double for a 24 month contract, so you loose out and are left with the same phone for 2 years, while they take £30 a month, totalling £720.

A 12 month contract might mean you have to pay £50 for the phone, but over the year, you will only pay £410.

I just feel £820 for two phones, is better value than £720 for one. In the example I've given.

Also, look out for the Free Wii offers and stuff. Consoles aint free either, they will get the money off you somehow.

That said, there are deals out there which sometimes work in your favour, just read the small print and understand exactly what you're getting yourself into.

There's a good forum I visit with a Mobile Contracts section, lots of good details...
Am I allowed to post a link? Mods?

As for unlocked. I personally like O2 because they don't modify their software and turn all the Icons Orange, or Skodafone "Live!" it. I'll only ever stick an O2 card in it, so it may aswell be locked for all I need, I suppose! LOL. But it's all good for flogging it at the end of the contract eh.

[Mr G]

I sell my old phones to a mate who's on T-mobile and they always work.

[gavinguinness]

I give mine to the misses. If you can have any problems, send it back to O2 before the year is up and they'll send you a shiney re-furb.

My K800i developed a fault on the front camera last year. Nice.