So which network to choose?

Here in Ruralshire, its a choice between the O2 network and the Vodafone network. I've tried both companies directly before, and would rather die. So how about MVNO's - Mobile Virtual Network Operators? I've tried GiffGaff and cannot recommend them to anyone I'd like. So how to find a list of all MVNO's here in the UK?

There's a wikipedia entry for that. 

And since I'm completely sick of O2, lets focus on those MVNO's that run on top of the Vodafone network. And it has to run mobile data. So that leaves us with:

  • Asda Network. Approx £15/month for 250 mins and 500mb data. 
  • TalkMobile (Owned by the Carphone Warehouse). Approx £12/month for 400 mins and 750mb data. No unlimited data. 
  • TalkTalk. But we can forget immediately about them.
  • BT Mobile. Not again. They were terrible the first time.
  • Tru - which looks interesting for lots of US/Australian/Netherlands travel. In country numbers, local data rate access. But has high consumer data costs. If I were travelling a lot, then this would be very attractive.
  • Wolves Mobile - which appears to have a very high data tariff. £112 per gig. Dealbreaker.
  • Ovivo - Very cheap. £5/month for 250 mins and 500mb data. But supported by advertising. Dealbreaker. 
  • Bemilo - A mobile network aimed at parents supplying phones for kids. Not what I'm looking for. And it has the most annoying homepage in the word. No, really, go see. And turn the speakers right up. 

So I want: 

  • Something like unlimited internet, lots of free monthly minutes, the ability to manage it via the web, an easy way of getting SIM cards. And far cheaper than going to Vodafone directly.
  • Service. I have to be able to either walk into a shop and speak to someone intelligent (unlikely) or at least call and get it fixed. The GiffGaff model only works when you have no issues.
  • Roaming. I dont want to be ripped off by roaming.

So far, nothing really fits the bill, but TalkMobile is at least supported by Carphone Warehouse (who my friends assure me are very good) and Asda comes highly recommended. (I cant believe I'm saying that either).

I think a wee trip to Aberdeen to the Carphone Warehouse store to pick up some SIMs is now in order.