Mobile network providers are the companies that own and run the physical mobile infrastructure. There are five network providers in the UK: Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile and 3 (Hutchison 3G). Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile run a GSM network and a 3G network. 3 runs just a 3G network.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the most common mobile phone standard in the world. GSM delivers high quality digital voice at a relatively low cost. Because GSM is so common around the world, it makes it particularly easy for roaming.
3G (3rd Generation) mobile is a much newer technology than GSM. 3G supports much greater capacity than GSM and also has broadband capabilities, allowing users to surf the internet at broadband speed from their mobile phone. The most marketed feature of 3G is the ability to make video calls where both users can see a live video picture of each other as part of the telephone conversation.
There are also mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) such as Virgin Mobile, Onetel , TalkTalk and easyMobile. Mobile virtual network operators do not actually own their own network. Instead they piggy back off one of the network providers by paying them a leasing fee. Customers will generally not be aware of any difference between a mobile virtual network operator and an actual mobile network provider.
