CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOBILE DEAL for your business can be broken down into two parts: choosing the right handset and choosing the right tariff. In The Knowledge we provide you with the essential info you need to choose the perfect handset to meet your needs.
Whichever network you choose, it's now possible to take your number with you.
Today's Li-ion batteries weigh little and perform well. Ideally you're looking for a talktime of 300 minutes or above.
Dual-band phones are fine for Europe but won't work in the US. Tri-band phones are more global, working in most parts of the US and around the world, and are fine for most overseas users' needs. Quad-band essentially covers the same frequencies as tri-band plus extra bits of the USA.
For a day-to-day work phone you want a handset that's going to last the course. Some phones are designed specifically for more active users, with rubberised fittings and watertight casings.
Bluetooth is a technology which enables you to connect your Bluetooth-enabled phone wirelessly with other Bluetooth accessories and devices like headsets and laptops. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, Bluetooth is essential for safe handsfree mobile conversations.
Smartphones now let you synchronise with Microsoft Outlook on your PC. Meanwhile, SyncML is an open standard for connection to all computers.
Push-To-Talk technology allows you to make conference calls from your mobile at the touch of a button. It works a bit like a walkie-talkie, on a different frequency to phone calls.
Most GSM phones support GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) networks, which offer always-on internet content and data services, email and multimedia content at around 56Kbps. Faster still is 3G, at 384Kbps, which also offers video streaming and video calls.
Many mobiles offer a form of email. However, specialist devices like the BlackBerry and Palm Treo offer access to a number of personal and business email accounts. They feature large screens and QWERTY keyboards and let you send and receive attachments.
If you use your laptop to send email and access the internet, you'll need mobile connectivity.
