For those who are already subscribing to an existing plan or contract, there are several considerations and rules that should be understood. From the monthly fees to the cut off rates, users need to understand what usage patterns would cause their bill to grow.

More importantly, it is also important that existing network clients are made aware of the features and services of the network that they are under. Information regarding area coverage and signal strength should be openly and freely given to any user.

Mobile network operator O2 is on a crusade to promote transparency between mobile network operators and the consumers.

Smart phone technology is growing, and each year more and more people find themselves relying on handsets more and desktop computer less. In this day and age, network operators are expected to deliver more than just one service: calls and the internet. Thanks to the development of 3G technology, giving net access to users has become easier, but it certainly is a lot more complicated.

Rates, charges, and even the cancellation of contracts all entail things that even regular users are not fully familiar with. O2 UK stresses that the average plan holder does not know the termination and cancellation policies that are being used.

Of course, calling for change is one thing, but action is another.

O2 has already taken the initiative when it comes to their services. In fact, for any user who is unhappy or dissatisfied in any way regarding O2’s services, they can have the plan or contract cancelled instantly. Users will then receive a full refund with no questions asked.

Supporting the Communication Consumer Panel, O2 has been able to provide users with plenty of important information regarding plans and tariffs –pushing for other networks to offer better cancellation options for users should existing network conditions prove to be hostile.

Touchscreens touchscreens touchscreens… unfortunately for those around us, this is all we’ve been muttering the last couple of days as we ponder the big question, the major topic, the massive, most important things that the world’s greatest minds are surely pondering all around the globe: are touchscreen phones really all that?

And what made us start scratching our noggins and muttering so bizarrely? The O2 XDA Ignito. Or the HTC Touch Diamond, as you’ll probably know it better as (o2 have done one of their pointless re-naming things again). As this O2 XDA Ignito review shows, the ignito is a pretty decent phone. One of the best touchscreens on the market at the moment, in fact. But that’s not to say it’s perfect, of course. It likes some of the sheer oozing class of the iPhone. It struggles a little with Windows Mobile (which, like all Windows programs, tends to crash quite a bit). And we’ve also had a bit of trouble getting used to the on-screen keyboard.

That’s not to say HTC haven’t done a decent job. You can choose between landscape or portrait QWERTY. And you can even change to an alphanumeric keypad if you want that old-school phone feel. But that’s kind of the point for us… why should a phone keypad be considered old school? Why, indeed, should HTC feel the need to include one? Well, the answer is that the QWERTY keyboard feels kind of weird (no resistive feedback doesn’t help) and unless you have weird pointy fingers, you’ll probably want to use the included stylus. Which, call us daft, kind of ruins the point of a touchscreen, right? Most people become so in tune with their physical keypads that they can unlock, navigate a menu, type and send a message all while barely even looking at their phone. Not so with a touchscreen though, given that there’s no physical ridges / buttons for you thumbs or fingers to navigate by. So, has the O2 Ignito made us realise that the end of the touchscreen phone is nigh? Not quite… but we think that the bubble might be about to burst ever so slightly some time very soon. In the meantime, check out O2’s official page, or even the slightly inane video below.