Has any one on the 3 network recently upgraded with 3 months left on there contract this used to be free but apparently they charge now just wondered how much it was ?

Sweet talk them and grovel a little, or threaten to leave. I think they will likely waive any fee. I am in this very position, I can upgrade now I have 3 months to run, but they offered me a One X with no fee. But I didn't take it, I am downgrading my contract instead to the to a 1 month rolling contract and will see what is on offer with regards to handsets in the next few months.

Let us know how you get on as I'm thinking of going SIM only when my current contract with them finishes.

Was this in store or online ?

It will have to be on the phone.

You'll usually get a much better deal, But Three retentions has got quite bad recently. I used to get amazing deals but these days they do nothing special.