Choosing a Mobile Phone - 1/8

To skip directly to the other parts of this guide click on the links below:

Mobile phones appear to be more of an essential item than a luxury, with three out of four people in the UK now owning one. They have become a part of everyday life, so much so that many wonder how we managed without them. However, when looking for the right mobile phone deal, do we really know our WAP from our GPRS and how do we choose between networks like Orange, Vodafone and O2?

Buying a mobile phone can prove more difficult than it would originally seem with so many contrasts between mobile phone companies and the mobile phone tariffs they offer. That’s why moneysupermarket.com has compiled a guide to help you find the right mobile phone deal for you.

Mobile phones: an expanding industry

Before examining the various mobile phone offers available it can help to understand why the industry is expanding at such a rapid rate. Mobile phones have moved beyond simply providing a convenient way to get in touch or to helping people obtain quick assistance in an emergency, to become a symbol of popular culture.

From the house bricks of the 1980s to the lightweight and slim handsets of the modern day, mobile phones have become as much about fashion as they are about communication. Consequently, prices range from hundreds of pounds to completely free mobile phones as networks aim to entice us on to their air space.

Why are mobile phones useful?

Mobile phones provide convenience and reassurance – you know as long as you have one (assuming you have bought call time and charged the handset!) you can always get in touch with someone in the case of an emergency. They are great for travellers too as mobile phone rates are often cheaper than hotel room call rates - assuming your network allows for overseas calls of course. And with the developing industry has come new technology such as cameras, internet access and the ability to almost run a business on the move.

How you plan to use your mobile phone is perhaps the most important element in deciding on the best deal for you. In part two we look at the different types of user.