While it may no longer hold its iPhone exclusivity, and doesn’t stock the iPad 2 (just data packages), O2 now has over 300 shops in the UK, and it’s rare to see a high street without one.

Pricing also remains keen, with some excellent SIM-only and smartphone contract deals. 

And exclusives? O2 nabbed the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play in white, and last summer was the sole stockist of HTC's budget Android smartie, the Smart, which you can order from its good website or from over 300 stores across the country.

O2 also includes tethering in its pay monthly costs, allowing you to get online using your mobile as a modem for your laptop or tablet.