Living in the UK

Hey,

Both for personal/work interest (I do marketing for O2) and for some hints and tips I thought it might be helpful to list the various companies we use for broadband, banking, mobile, tv etc with a few comments, amount you pay or insights.

Broadband – O2
Joined up when I started working here and they’re awesome. Trying not to be biased but I pay £7.50 a month, 8mb speeds (can’t get any faster at my house), unlimited data etc.

Mobile – Vodafone
Even working for O2 I preferred to stay, I pay £20 a month for something like 400 texts and 400 mins, plus free insurance. When my contract was up for renewal I negotiated a good deal to stay so got that and a new phone, plus only 12 month contract.

Banking – First Direct
Was with Lloyds Offshore, but they were a hassle and setting up stuff like savings was a hassle. I switched over the FD with one of the £100 schemes and they seem pretty good so far, for a UK bank I guess. They won’t give me a credit card though which sux, have to wait 6 months they reckon.

TV – Freeview and Lovefilm
Considered Sky for the football and rugby but in the end have gone with this. TV is pretty puss but it fills a hole. I love my Lovefilm membership, get 3 DVDs at a time unlimited usage each month for £15 I think.

Who else, any tips on good deals?

I'm currently getting fucked in the ass by Vodafone due to my poor choice when I originally arrived in the UK. My contract is up in August so I'll be looking to reduce my costs with them.

All in all their service is very good, coverage is second to none, etc. I was at Gatecrasher two weekends ago and people on 3 or T-Mobile couldn't get coverage. This was only about 1 hour out of London.

TV & Broadband - currently with Sky (with all packages). They're okay. Be Broadband are supposedly the best.

Banking - HSBC. No complaints.

Be is O2, better to go with O2, cheaper

Interesting! ta.

Can hook you up with a good deal for O2 if you need it, 20mb, unlimited, £7.50 a month.

Fcuk, this is sounding like a sales pitch, it's not, interested in hearing about others experiences with providers.