Which provider to get the HTC Desire with in the UK?

[jurrr]

I'm looking for an iPhone replacement. I hate Apple for making my life so difficult with keeping it unlocked, but I need that as I travel and need to use local SIM cards. My primary base is the UK so I'm getting the phone there.

I currently use O2, but they don't have the HTC Desire yet although they promise it late April.

I wanted the Motorola Droid/Milestone first for the hardware keyboard, but I cannot view it in any shop and don't want to buy a phone I've never seen in person.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 only runs 1.5, the HTC Legend has a smaller screen and Google Nexus One doesn't seem to be out yet in the UK, so HTC Desire is my choice.

My questions:
a. Will it work with my MS Exchange server at the office for e-mail / calendar push synching as well as the iPhone does?

b. The unlock is easy GBP 15 or similar no matter which provider I get it from, correct?

c. If the provider has "branded" it by adding unnecessary gizmos, how easy would it be to put some vanilla or HTC-default Android 2.1 version on it?

c. Which provider to get it from? I know a lot of it depends on my usage (which is data and international call heavy), but are there any general considerations, e.g., perhaps some provide it already unlocked (but still with a contract) or without extensive provider branding.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[lekky]

a. yep.
b. yep, although price differs depending on where you get it unlocked.
c. once the phone has been rooted (probably by modaco) then you can install a custom rom. There will be easy to follow instructions on how to root.

d. im not sure which providers do good deals on international calls, perhaps somneone else can help with this.


Its a great phone all around tho

 

[Lukehluke]

a. Yeah.

b. It depends on your network... Might want to ask them first.

c. There will be a few people making roms for it.

c. I got mine from T-Mobile UK, it has the best data plan and they are pretty cheap plans too.

 

[400ixl]

a) yes, have it doing exactly that on mine as well as google mail
b) as above
c) Mine came from mobiles.co.uk on T-Mobile and has no T-Mobile branding in the ROM at all
d) As above but got it through quidco.com so I get

 

[StevenSeed]

I would definitely go for T-Mobile. Best customer service, best price plans. Never had a problem with them.

 

[SithSurfer]

From my own experience I'd say Orange, but I've been with them for quite a while, so my perception of the world might be slightly altered Just keep away from weird solutions such as 3 and you'll be fine.

 

[Fishyweb]

Got mine from mobiles.co.uk, with Vodafone. 50 quid back using quidco. Great deal, IMHO.

 

[nx1977]

From my own experience I'd say Orange, but I've been with them for quite a while, so my perception of the world might be slightly altered Just keep away from weird solutions such as 3 and you'll be fine.

I was with Orange until 18 months ago after some 12 years solidly.

The turning point was their crap customer service when Mrs asked for her unlock code (always had for free) whilst doing an upgrade over the phone.

Was basically told to do one, it's

 

[nx1977]

Now Orange have all their support in India, that's another reason not to use them.

Not a racism thing, just that these call centre staff dont get trained properly, and it irritates me when they make out as though they're in the UK with a british name - such as telling me how bad the weathers been, hoped to do x,y,z, glad {team} won the footie....

Firms that do this to save money, yet hike their prices up I cant stand and move business to support jobs based here.

T-Mobile always have UK staff whenever I call - usually friendly Scottish folk.

 

[d.knight99]

I went for orange. I was going to get a t-mobile plan but orange have more extensive 3G coverage and it was slightly cheaper with Orange. I got 10% off the line rental every month and insurance thrown in for free