[daveymck]

If a while is a year+ then get a contract phone otherwise will need a payg.

I have been on orange for years and havent had any coverage problems (I move round the country a lot) people on vodaphone and o2 I have heard complaints about, I would avoid 3 for the moment as they have a lot of problems.

Theres Virgin as well not sure how good they are though. BUt if you walk down any high street in whichever place you are going there are loads of mobile phone shops so you wil get sorted out easily.