William <william@lowerknowle.com> wrote:

>On 17 June, 13:57, Terry Pinnell <terrypinDEL...@THESEdial.pipex.com>
>wrote:
>> Werner, William: Thanks both, much appreciate your help. I'm veering
>> towards a phone, and the HTC Touch HD looks impressive. How does it
>> differ from the HTC Touch 3G
>
>The Touch HD has a bigger screen and more memory. Compare the specs
>at:
>
>http://www.htc.com/www/product/touch...ification.html
>and
>http://www.htc.com/www/product/touch...ification.html
>
>> A friend also suggested I look at the Xeria X1. Any comments please?
>
>Had two of them. Completely useless and unreliable. Fine if you want a
>toy. Not at all good if you want a reliable business tool. YMMV.
>
>> I'm woefully ignorant on all modern phone technology so please excuse
>> a couple of very basic follow-up questions.
>>
>> If I buy from one of these online suppliers, selling at the full
>> (high!) prices, what do I get in terms of phone and text calls,
>> internet access, download capacity, etc? Nothing?
>
>Can't comment. I prefer to arrange my contracts direct with the
>service-provider.
>
>> Can you buy a 'contract' online too?
>
>Yes. Certainly via the main UK providers. Note that only Orange
>currently offer the HD as a 'direct' supply.
>
>> Presumably, if I bought from a local UK mobile phone shop, I could get
>> a choice of contracts? Are products 'tied' to one network, like
>> Orange, O2, etc?
>
>Depends on the provider. Carphone Warehouse tend to provide unlocked
>phones so that they can sell them with a SIM from the service of your
>choice.
>
>> My current phone is a very basic Nokia 3120, with an Orange
>> Pay-As-You-Go contract. Can I keep my existing phone number?
>
>Yes. This is your legal right, and all providers offer a number-
>porting service. You need to request a 'PAC' number. Strangely you may
>experience more problems porting your number within the same provider
>(i.e moving from Orange PAYG to Ornage Contract). There are ways to
>resolve this, though.
>
>> If there's an 'Introduction to the UK smartphone scene' anywhere
>> online, I'd appreciate a pointer please.
>
>Take a look at "Tracey and Matt's Blog" which has lots of reviews and
>information:
>http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/index.php/c25/
>
>I've also cross-posted this response to uk.telecom.mobile where most
>questions can be answered.

Many thanks William, extremely helpful.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK