UK mobile networks
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Your choice of network determines the coverage you receive, the price you pay for calls and the phones that are available. Depending on your contract, changing networks can be anything from straightforward to impossible, so it's best to start as you mean to go on.
Currently there are five mobile phone networks in the UK: 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodaphone.
Virtual Network Operators (VNOs)
Virtual Networks Operators (VNOs) buy airtime in bulk from one of the five networks and resell it under their brand name. Examples include Virgin who use the T-Mobile network and BT who uses the Vodafone network.
Networks and tariffs
Network operators and 3G
Network operators are moving services from second generation (2G) GSM networks to third generation (3G) networks. 3G networks provide high speed data links, enabling you to make video calls and download music, video clips, games, news bulletins and interactive content. At the moment coverage is the main issue with 3G as this tends to be limited to major cities and towns, although coverage is spreading across the UK.