I have had an accout with T-Mobile for 8 years and normally they upgrade free, they now advise that from 1st October 2008 they are unable to upgrade personal phones free. I said I can cancel it go into one of there shops and take out a new line and get a new phone, which they agreed I can do. They want £249.99 to supply a Sumsung F480 on an existing contract, O2, orange etc here I come.

What is going on?

all the networks are reducing subsidies. that does seem a bit harsh though.

Wait until after xmas when the upgrade policy is likely to return to what it was before. At the moment some customers are being charged rrp of the phone plus £75 which is why yours is £249.99.

Im not going to defend this policy, just letting you know why the charge is there.

I was told this a couple of days ago in a T-Mobile shop. My contract was up, I wanted an upgrade for my handset which was slightly cracked, but was told that there were little or no upgrades available at the moment. I was told that there were likely to be more available in January and in the meantime I was offered a loyalty bonus of £5 per month off my bill for up to 6 months (although I wasn't tied in to that 6 months and could upgrade or leave whenever).

I had been on the point of leaving T-Mobile for the first time ever. Orange seemed attractive and perhaps Vodafone, but I'll wait till January to see what's on offer before deciding one way or another. I've had my Sony Ericsson for 3 years. I can last another 2 months.

to keep your handset out side of contract you want at least £15pcm.