fantasiamak's blog

Guide to buying a mobile phone

If you already have a mobile phone, you can switch to a different network and take your phone number with you, although you may need a different handset. You could get a connection with a new number, using your existing handset.

Networks

When you buy a phone you need to choose a network - O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-mobile are mobile phone networks. Each network is a collection of radio towers all over the country, linked together and transmitting people's conversations.

A mobile phone service usually comes as a package, made up of the phone itself and access to a network. There are five main mobile phone networks in the UK - O2, T-Mobile, Orange, Vodafone and most recently '3' with its growing third generation network which can support mobile video. Other operators such as Virgin and BT Mobile use the 5 main networks and there are many airtime resellers dealing with one or all the networks. They offer two ways of using their services; by "pay as you go" or by monthly line rental. If you do not intend to make a great number of calls from a mobile phone, a pay as you go package may suffice but any reasonably regular use (especially during business hours) probably warrants a monthly package - which package will depend on the volume of calls you anticipate making.

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There are many ways of finding work when you're self-employed, here I'm going to cover three that I've had success with in finding work as a freelance web developer.

Networking

Networking involves getting together with people from other businesses and talking about what you do and what they do.The idea is you either meet someone who needs your service, or they will know others who will want it and refer your name on to them.

Networking meetings take three basic forms: casual networking where people chat in small groups, more formal networking where attendees each make a short talk about what they do, and meals where you talk to people on your table. Some groups will have a short lecture from a successful person, with a mix of networking afterwards.

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