3G gets thumbs down from consumer group

Consumers thinking of buying a 3G mobile phone this Christmas should not waste their money because the handsets are too bulky and the coverage too limited, UK consumer watchdog Which? has advised.

The organisation argues that shoppers will be better off sticking with existing 2G services and handsets.

"Which? recommends sticking with a 2G model for now because 3G network coverage is limited," the group stated. "This means that there are likely to be problems accessing 3G services successfully and consistently, particularly outside big towns and cities."

Which? does not recommend any 3G phones as Best Buys because of these network issues.

Malcolm Coles, editor of Which? magazine, said: "There are teething problems with 3G phones and coverage, so we recommend sticking with a 2G phone for the time being. We'll be keeping an eye on 3G phones over the coming months to see if they, and the networks, live up to the hype."

Only 2G phones met the Which? Best Buy criteria based on quality of sound, ease of use, battery life and reception.

Which? recommends the following camera phones for Christmas: the Nokia 6230, 6220, 6820 and 5140; the Samsung SGH-E600, SGH-P510, SGH-P400 and SGH-D410; and the Sony Ericsson P900 (updated to the P910 since the tests).

The two basic phones without cameras that got the thumbs up were the Nokia 3100 and Samsung SGH-C100.