Database Develop

Want a Kaiser on T-Mobile (UK), got a cunning plan - advice please

OK, so I still have a blue angel, drooling over a kaiser, and my contract with O2 was up last week.
Thinking T-Mobile (for web n walk) but from what I hear the styling isnt as nice as the HTC one, plus my experiences with the O2 version of the XDA IIs ROMs left me a little cold.
So, ideally I want a non-branded Kaiser.
Well, if I take up a contract with T-Mobile, and take no phone, I am losing out, so I thought I would get a phone from them and sell it unused. I was looking and I can get a nokia 6300 for free with the tariff I want and it seems like I could get it unlocked easy enough or do it myself and flog it new, maybe get 100 quid for it? Any suggestions as to whether this would work or if I could shift an unlocked T-Mobile branded nokia 6300 on ebay for a decent rate. Also suggestions as to a better phone to use.
The other question is whether when I hooked the sim-free kaiser up to t-mobile, I would be able to get web n walk and all the other services set up OK. Don't want the T-Mobile front screen etc, just as long as everything works. I would imagine that cooking roms and stuff for it would be much easier as it was a vanilla phone, I am just worried about making the operator-specific settings...
Any other advice welcomed, ie another provider to go with who will subsidise me on the phone and who do an all-you-can-eat bandwidth package for a decent rate.
The only non-flexible bit is that it just *has* to be a kaiser

i did something similar a few years ago, look on tmob for all the phones you can get for free and the look on ebay's finished auctions search for the phone that seems to sell for the highest amount (it is generally the newest phones). You will still be out of pocket doing this rather than just waiting a few weeks on your current contract until tmob release the kaiser.
you will be able to get web'n'walk sms/mms settings fine, but probably won't be able to access their other services like mobile tv very easily

cool, nice to know it can work out.
I think I may have found a better phone to do it with - a sony k800i
There's a few going for over 300 quid at the mo on ebay.
I can get that free with the 15 quid a month contract, that's approaching the price of a kaiser
Not really worried about the mobile TV and stuff like that, am a geek, will do it myself - slingbox or mythtv something

OK, maybe I was smoking crack before I went to lunch or something, but there were multiple K800is on ebay listed at over 300 quid. I come back, check the link and it ended for 99.
WTF?? Maybe it was in euros or lira or something.

Im also going to use this cunning plan!
But I think your best options for a free phone to sell is either the Nokia N95 or the Blackberry Pearl.
Also, ensure T Mobile puts you on a 12 month contract as opposed to a 18 month one.
Agreed that the design of the MDA Vario III looks pants.

you can't get a free N95 on 12mo contract, and on an 18mo contract, you have to go up to the 45quid a mo contract to get it free - it's 250quid on the 15/mo contract I am going to get. The k800i or similar looks to be the phone that is going for the most on ebay that you can get for free with the 15/mo contract.
Am prolly gonna go with the 18mo contract as it is only actually 30quid more for 6 months more contract and you get more minutes / texts
Plus then I can get the web n walk for 7.50 and am still only paying a total of 22.50 a month

Okay. I talked T Mobile in throwing in a free N95, how much do you think it would sell for on ebay? I have no idea of the worth of these Nokias

If its unlocked, probably £250+
Don't get caught though

Here in the NL you could just go to any telecom shop and get any phone they hold in comination to any subscribtion with any provider. Of course these telecom shops are not affiliated with any particular network and usually the discount you get for the phone are approx 50 euros less then T-Mobile for example but it is worth 50 euros to have an unbranded and unlocket phone...(this what I am doing actually right now via a website)
Of course if you get Branded t-mobile device you get a free Micro SD card with it and the best is the guarantee for the duration of your contract. Plus here in the NL if you need to send it for a repair it goes much quicker then via HTC... T-Mobile send you prestamped & preaddressed envelope (a special one) which you use to send in your device. I haad to use this service on my Vario II when I got allignment issues and I had my phone back fixed after 4 business days. Alternatively you can bring your phone to a t-mobile shop and they even offer you a temporary replacement phone (a junky one) but then it takes longer as it has to go throught their main depot.
I am right now ordering a TyTn II via my resellers website with T-Mobile Flex 40 renewal + PITP the phone costs me including shipment 125 Euros...

darthbane2k said:
Okay. I talked T Mobile in throwing in a free N95, how much do you think it would sell for on ebay? I have no idea of the worth of these Nokias
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Well I see two on ebay currently bidding at £544 and £655 but I saw phones yesterday going for silly amounts and then went back to a more reasonable amount. Maybe bids are getting rejected or someone is playing around.
What tariff did you have to go on to get one chucked in for free??

Churchill said:
Here in the NL you could just go to any telecom shop and get any phone they hold in comination to any subscribtion with any provider. Of course these telecom shops are not affiliated with any particular network and usually the discount you get for the phone are approx 50 euros less then T-Mobile for example but it is worth 50 euros to have an unbranded and unlocket phone...(this what I am doing actually right now via a website)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do this in the UK, but it seems that T-mobile do not allow this unless the phone is branded or approved or something. Annoying as tmob is the only one doing a flat rate 3G bandwidth package for a reasonable amount (£7.50 pm or £1 a day) I am going to explore this avenue myself, but it seems to me that you can get way more subsidy by getting a whole phone and selling it.

T Mobile wont permit this in the UK because they like to attach branded phones to their contracts, these days banning services such as MSN messenger (which the Vario III will have disabled by default)

Is MSN etc blocked on web n walk now? I heard before that it was technically against the terms, but it was possible.
What about other stuff? I would ideally like to set up some kind of media centre at home and have it pull any mp3s / videos etc I like over the net.
What about VPN? Could I maybe VPN to my home and route everything inside a tunnel, thus denying tmob the ability to see what I am transferring?

I tried selling a phone a while ago on eBay. From past auctions I was expecting to sell my phone for £200 but at the last minute someone bid £350. The PayPal details said "Kate from Richmond" (an expensive area in London) had bought the phone. It was then that I received an email from someone in Nigeria asking me to send it to Lagos... they promised £50 extra for P&P but it was obviously a scam. They started sending through spoofed PayPal receipts claiming to have paid money into my account (even though my PayPal account said differently) and in the end they got quite aggressive and threatened to report me to eBay.
Just thought I'd warn you

OK, that makes sense.
LOL, one of those N95s just finished @ £1131 !
Normal bidding, then silly bids from "Bidder 1", "Bidder 2" etc...
Looks like the 419 business is getting too much heat so the Lads from Lagos have switched to a new tack.

ateles said:
I tried selling a phone a while ago on eBay. From past auctions I was expecting to sell my phone for £200 but at the last minute someone bid £350. The PayPal details said "Kate from Richmond" (an expensive area in London) had bought the phone. It was then that I received an email from someone in Nigeria asking me to send it to Lagos... they promised £50 extra for P&P but it was obviously a scam. They started sending through spoofed PayPal receipts claiming to have paid money into my account (even though my PayPal account said differently) and in the end they got quite aggressive and threatened to report me to eBay.
Just thought I'd warn you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have dealt with these scammers a many a time on ebay. They totally ruin things for all.

evilc said:
Is MSN etc blocked on web n walk now? I heard before that it was technically against the terms, but it was possible.
What about other stuff? I would ideally like to set up some kind of media centre at home and have it pull any mp3s / videos etc I like over the net.
What about VPN? Could I maybe VPN to my home and route everything inside a tunnel, thus denying tmob the ability to see what I am transferring?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not blocked. Its frowned upon. However T Mobile are now disabling use of it via firmware, hence one of the reasons why the Vario III is being delayed.

So guys, if I sell a new unopened T Mobile N95 for £250, you think its reasonable? Or could I push for more £££s? That Kaiser isnt cheap!

To clarify on Web n Walk...
On the normal (£7.50) tariff, only surfing and email is allowed.
On the Web n Walk Plus (£12.50) tariff, everything except VOIP is allowed.
I will probably go with the £7.50 one and if they moan, go on to the £12.50 one
So guys, if I sell a new unopened T Mobile N95 for £250, you think its reasonable? Or could I push for more £££s? That Kaiser isnt cheap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno, might only get £200. Most of the ones over £200 seem to be tampered with...

What you might be better of doing is browsing the net and seeing if you can get 1 on a 12 month free contract with a cheepish phone and then the money u save on the contract put with selling the cheaper phone might get u somewhere...

Who else is still waiting for the O2-uk tytn ii?

Alrite, O2 users
let's see who else is in my position
My O2 contract is over
still with O2
being stupidly patient with them not even having a confirmed release date for their version of the kaiser or the rumored XDA Stellar
being so tempted to move to T-mobile
even been offered a fantastic deal
PLUS t-mobile is using HSDPA and have the best mobile browsing tarrif and service
only thing is,
the t-mobile version of the fone is UGLY
and also
im pray pray praying that O2 retentions would give me a better deal, AND maybe they would come out with a better looking version of the phone.... that way i can myself the hassle of moving my number around
all i can do now is wait
what do u guys think?

I switched to T-Mobile on a WNWplus tariff. When I phone O2 to cancel, they offered me £100 credit on my bill plus lower tariff than currently. But since they could not even tell me IF the Kaiser was coming out, I switched. Got my MDA Vario III in 48 hours and my number was ported in a week or so (until then I used call diverts to my temporary number).

I'm waiting. It's a work phone upgrade so I don't have a choice on the network.
I've just had to ask them to wait to do my upgrade

Thought i was the only one....
NO You are not alone!
I too have been waiting patiently, and ive gotten rather frustrated too, i called up o2 and have not been told when the phone is coming out or if it will even come out.
Im not sure if i should just go to expansys and get the phone from there. But then ive also been advised to wait since if o2 DO release the phone they might offer a better deal...
Im very happy you started this thread.. i thought i was the only one waiting..
btw, november 19th is the "latest" release that ive heard of..... (ive also heard dec/jan... i guess noone actually knows)

I just spoke to them and they said Nov to me as well

guys dont want and just switch to t-mobile.
Even if you get kaiser in o2 Data plan is rubbish - 200 or 300 megs only...
i know it sounds a lot but with tmobile unlimited data plan there is so much less to worry about.
after more than a year having wizard on o2 and now having kaiser on tmob i'm finally discovering what a pda is really for! email on the move, browsing internet whenever i wish to, listening to favourite internet radio on the way to uni and many more.
and hsdpa.. omg how fast it is... I'm lucky to be from Edinburgh where whole city is covered with Hsdpa range!

mattwong2120 said:
only thing is,
the t-mobile version of the fone is UGLY
and also
im pray pray praying that O2 retentions would give me a better deal, AND maybe they would come out with a better looking version of the phone.... that way i can myself the hassle of moving my number around
all i can do now is wait
what do u guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched from O2, since I figured December at the earliest for the XDA Stellar - they don't want to poison their precious iPhone launch, do they?
The T-Mobile phone is a thing of beauty. It's not the cool black look of my XDA Exec, but it's actually very nice. The pictures don't do it justice, IMO.
O2 retentions tried to fob me off with a crappy 200Mb for £7 deal. When I pointed out that T-Mob gave me 5 times as much, he simply assured me that based on my current usage (nil) I'd never go over that. He didn't have a comeback when I said the reason I didn't use their data at the moment was because it was horrifically expensive.
He did offer me about 50 minutes for £8 per year, but that was just to keep my number on their books, and I wanted to transfer it over, so I declined that one.
Also, O2 are downgrading their networks from 3G to EDGE so that the iPhone can get better-than-GPRS speeds. T-Mob are upgrading to HDSPA - it's even in Macclesfield! (well I was impressed )
Also, as mentioned, T-Mob give you 5x as much data per month as O2.
I switched.
Think about it.

I had a line with both I was tempted to wait till o2 got there act together but as I already used my orbit with my t-mobile chip, the choice was simple.
I wanted to see if o2 were going to get the device looking as good as the orbit, but I am glad I didn't wait as the device is so much better than I could have imagined.
The speeds are amazing in comparison, not worth the wait go with t-mobile imho.
Only benefit with possible o2 issue is the all black looks (like orbit) but by the time that comes out better options will already be on the horizon.

Why not get a Vodafone v1615 (Kaiser)? It has a beautiful shiny black back and looks really nice.
I got it for free because my bill this month was quite big

Today O2 announced that they are going to drop the 200mb FUP.
So unlimited will really mean unlimited.
I don't know if that only applies to iPhone customers (unlikely) or everyone.

Hi Just like to say i too am waiting , waiting waiting zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz for it on O2 UK as the T-Mobile service around my home and in London City is still appaling.
ive asked o2 if teh 200meg FUP is lifted for all users but have had no reply as yet.

The Register think it'll (at least to start with) be for iPhone customers only.
What does this mean? GPRS and EDGE only. So it's harder to download more, since you're getting it so much slower than HSDPA.

I get HSDPA on O2 now in London. They are rolling it out.
Strange thing is, I only get H on my phone when i am actually using the data.

churchwa said:
Strange thing is, I only get H on my phone when i am actually using the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I belive that is how it is meant to work.
My contract is up in a month so I am waiting to see what o2 do. My mate who is an asst manger in an o2 store told me Dec/jan
So will have to see
Kimbie

I didn't wait, and even forfeited a month of my contract. Apart from the lack of the XDA Stellar and 200Mb limit, I've also noticed O2 have deliberately invested in sponsorship deals such as The O2, as oposed to new technology. The iPhone is a prime example of their lack of commitment, as they have taken the 'easy' technology option.

I checked today and the O2 XDA Stellar (IE TyTn II) should be avaliable on the 27th of november. this is subject to the clearance of current stock of the XDA Trion (original TyTn).
also the 200mb limit isnt really invoked only if you use around 1GB will anything be checked as the codes to add this to the system show a 1024mb limit in place on the £7.50 bolton

Oh well got a Vario 3 now on TMob
Kimbie

I got mine as an O2 upgrade a month ago from here and it's the original HTC phone, much better than the crap O2 will probably roll out themselves
http://www.theorder.co.uk/o2/upgrades/deals/HTC/TyTN II/O2-Upgrade

I rang 10 days ago to get a PAC code to transfer to my Orange Tytn II. They offered me the Stellar on November 19th for free with unlimited data for £7.50 a month with 500 mins and 500 texts on a 12 month contract for £25pm
The Orange Tytn II is going back tomorrow as the reception is awful where I live and work, which in turn is killing the battery.
I'm hoping the rollout hasn't been pushed back.

hi there?
they're giving out offers for the stellar ALREADY?!
that's not fair
i called them 2 days ago for my pac code and the best they can do to make me stay is saying to me "well, it's up to you..."
who did u call? o2 retentions or xda
did they promise they will have it delivered by the 19th?
and... how the heck duz the stellar look like?
hummmmm

New user itching to get a tytn 2

Hi All!!
My current mobile phone is coming to the end of its contract next month so I started to look round at the alternatives.
I came across the tytn 2 and the more I read about it the more I wanted it. Then I came across this forum and now I can't wait to get it (how sad is that, I'm acting like a kid and I'm 47!!).
I do have a question though and that is how easy it was to upgrade it to windows mobile 6.1 because I think it comes with 6???
Apologies if this is a bit off topic but I wondered if anyone out there in the UK has been offered a better deal than me on the Tytn by Orange.
My deal...
On a £30 per month/18 month tariff with money knocked off for handing in an old phone (£50) it comes to £24.44 per month.
For this I get 100 mins per month and unlimited texts
And finally the Tytn 2 itself will cost me £80 and they're throwing in a free but cheap bluetooth headset.
Sorry to go on a bit and again I hope asking about my deal isn't off topic...

I'd do it if i were you. Tytn II is a good friend in your pocket.
But with 100 Callminutes.. bit to low though.
I say: Do it!

Thanks ElProempie
All comments keenly received (the more the better!)

I am on orange and was going to leave them this month, i got the folowing for £40 a month, I am in band 4 of 5 some months my bill used to be a couple of hundred..
1800 mins,
500 texts,
a bolt on that can be unlimited texts, orange calls or land line calls.
250MB web usage
a free tytn 2
I accepted

Hi Sorted69
Thanks for the info, I'm nowhere near you for usage and I've got to keep the monthly cost to £25 at the most.............keep em coming though!!

Forgive me for being a noob world traveler...
Are cell phone plans really that expensive in Europe? I pay $40USD for 450 minutes per month and my unused minutes build up to prevent overage charges. I also have unlimited Data/SMS/MMS for $40USD.
I pay ~$70/mo with taxes once my corporate discount is taken from the normal figures above.

Can't help with the costs, but it's really easy to upgrade the TyTN II. Just use Olipro's unlocker (stick'ed in the Kaiser ROM forum) to install hardSPL, and to SIM and CID unlock it. Just pick a ROM and follow the (easy) instructions. Job done!
(btw, my phone was originally an Orange TyTN II)

NotATreoFan said:
Forgive me for being a noob world traveler...
Are cell phone plans really that expensive in Europe? I pay $40USD for 450 minutes per month and my unused minutes build up to prevent overage charges. I also have unlimited Data/SMS/MMS for $40USD.
I pay ~$70/mo with taxes once my corporate discount is taken from the normal figures above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so your getting 450 mins unlimited texts and net access for the equivelent of £35 a month INCLUDING your discounts.
And your saying the UK is expensive?!
1800 mins,
500 texts,
a bolt on that can be unlimited texts, orange calls or land line calls.
250MB web usage
a free tytn 2
I get that for the equivelent of $80 a month.

I currently pay £27.50 ($54) per month for 75 minutes of calls, 100 texts, and 120mb of data, on a 12 month contract. Since the plan's perfectly suited to my needs, I rarely if ever exceed any of this, so $54 is exactly what I pay each month. Signing up to this, the Tytn II cost me just £50 ($99) last October.
I can upgrade again come August (60 days before the contract ends), not sure what they'll offer me...

Thanks again guys, it's interesting to see what other people are paying!
synet when you say just pick a ROM.........where from???
And do these ROM's have mobile 6.1 on them??
Thanks

Boinng...........this makes me think I should venture into the vodafone and possibly O2 shops before I go ahead with the deal on orange this Saturday!

Giving Wise Educational Noob Instructions
familyguy said:
Thanks again guys, it's interesting to see what other people are paying!
synet when you say just pick a ROM.........where from???
And do these ROM's have mobile 6.1 on them??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please use the search function associated with this forum!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=383904

Familyguy, best to read the wiki, linked in the above post.
BTW, I'm new to this too. I've only had mine for 2 or 3 weeks, so don't ask me for advice
As to costs, mine gets paid for by my company

This has turned in to a "I pay less than you do" thread.
@ OP
Who cares what who pays. I live by the rule that if I am willing to pay the price that someone is asking, then it is not too much. It all depends on what you are willing to pay. As to 6.1 roms, there is a plethora of cooked 6.1 roms to choose from, from loaded to light. The choice is yours. You don't need anyones advice on whether or not to "Do It" or not. Some would say no due to driver issues and others would say "Go For It". As for driver issues, I really don't see what all the fuss is about. I dont use my phone for serious multimedia. Thats what my laptop is for. I say if you don't think the price is to high or to good to be true then "Go For It". Do what you want and don't let anyone influence your decision. However, all that being said, if and when you purchase it and then decide you made the wrong decision, everything you need to tweak the **** out of it is located in this forum. I really didn't like my Tilt after I first got it, but now I love it. I can change the damn thing daily. It's like getting a new phone every day.

familyguy said:
Boinng...........this makes me think I should venture into the vodafone and possibly O2 shops before I go ahead with the deal on orange this Saturday!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely worth shopping around - although note that Vodafone call their version of the Tytn II (aka Kaiser) a "Vodafone V1615", and for O2 it's the "O2 XDA Stellar". Both the same thing, slightly different roms and paint jobs, that's all.
My V1615 came sim unlocked (so I can potentially use it on any network), and I've since used the tools on this forum to flash it to the generic HTC rom, so it is to all intents and purposes a generic HTC Tytn II now

Thanks again guys, I had a look at the link above but didn't notice any 6.1 roms......I'll have a further search though, it's probably me not looking hard enough (wife always finds things but I can look directly at something without seeing it!!)
Trouble with O2 and voda is that they don't do a pink viewty which the wife wants at the same time, plus if we get 2 phones at the same time orange will offer us 1000 free orange to orange minutes per month!!
Seems like I might have a good deal then

sorted69 said:
so your getting 450 mins unlimited texts and net access for the equivelent of £35 a month INCLUDING your discounts.
And your saying the UK is expensive?!
1800 mins,
500 texts,
a bolt on that can be unlimited texts, orange calls or land line calls.
250MB web usage
a free tytn 2
I get that for the equivelent of $80 a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you all seem to get good phones cheaper then us. The cheapest I've seen the Tilt here was $149 with a 24 month contract. All we get for free here is a *insert random featureless phone model here*.
You obviously have a good monthly plan. However, unless my currency translator (ie my brain) is malfunctioning, you seem to be getting a better deal then the OP.

familyguy said:
Thanks again guys, I had a look at the link above but didn't notice any 6.1 roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of the roms being released in the rom development forum are 6.1.

Thanks P1Tater.........it does make sense.........I totally forgot there were other forums in this section..........DOH!!

Amazing Orange Deal

Dolphin 35, an 18 month contract, £35 a month for 18 months with the option of 5 months free. That brings the total cost to £455, only £55 more than the Sim free cost of the phone and you get unlimited web browsing and unlimited texts and 600 minutes.
Orange may have a poor reputation, but that deal is unbelievably good.
See here: http://www.mobiles.co.uk/orange-htc-touch-diamond.html#MobilePhoneTariffs
Edit: My mistake, there's no unlimited data with that deal. It looks like you have to buy through orange for unlimited data which comes to a total of £540, £90 quid more. Still not bad though.

The standard warning applies with the above offers and all like it. You are likely to not get that money due to obscure overcomplicated rules on redeeming the cashback, normally involving goats, virgins, and lunar eclipses.
It's been scientifically proven that people too evil to be a seal-clubber or second-hand car salesman go on to run discount phone websites.
The original deal direct from Orange is still good though. In fact, it's the one I signed up for earlier.

Or you could get all that and a free ipod or projector or whatever you want, done it with my last phone and an xbox 360 and it all worked fine.

joey7415963 said:
Or you could get all that and a free ipod or projector or whatever you want, done it with my last phone and an xbox 360 and it all worked fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You pay more though, the original deal i quote was £455, to get a 'free' Xbox Arcade it would cost £720. That's £265 more for a console thats worth £150 - So you're wasting £115! Hardly free ey?

i just got a upgrade
they have given me 650 cross network
unlimited landline calls
unlimited texts
"unlimited" data
18 month contract...which i don't mind.... £30
this was direct from orange....no funny middle men

Free direct from orange on £30 pm
Just bought mine on upgrade, direct from orange for £30 pm 600mins + unlimited text and web, phone was free!
I suspect you can get it for free on the £25pm but I wanted unlimited web.

ljames28 said:
Dolphin 35, an 18 month contract, £35 a month for 18 months with the option of 5 months free. That brings the total cost to £455, only £55 more than the Sim free cost of the phone and you get unlimited web browsing and unlimited texts and 600 minutes.
Orange may have a poor reputation, but that deal is unbelievably good.
See here: http://www.mobiles.co.uk/orange-htc-touch-diamond.html#MobilePhoneTariffs
Edit: My mistake, there's no unlimited data with that deal. It looks like you have to buy through orange for unlimited data which comes to a total of £540, £90 quid more. Still not bad though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oranges' deals are not that good at all.
First of all 18 month contracts for any WM Device enthusist are terrible. You want to try the new forthcoming WM7 HTC devices, you will want a 12 month deal.
Secondly Orange's unlimited data isnt unlimited. Its a 500MB fair use policy (too little) that - according to their website (and there has been some confusion about this) is limited to 2 months. After 2 months, you pay for the data package.

You need to check if these 3rd party dealers are giving the unlimited mobile data. I just ordered with M2YD on a Dolphin 35 18 month contract, free handset and this DOES include the unlimited mobile browing (confirmed with M2YD and Orange CS on the phone). £35 per month with £210 back on redemption and £55 cashback with quidco. This means my total cost for the 18months will be £365

Me too
I've ordered from m2yd.
Dolphin 35 .... £210 cashback, unlimited internet and texts. £55 back from www.quidco.com
In all, over 18 months it will cost me £20.28 per month
Best deal currently available over 18 months ... I think I've searched them all!

darthbane2k said:
Oranges' deals are not that good at all.
First of all 18 month contracts for any WM Device enthusist are terrible. You want to try the new forthcoming WM7 HTC devices, you will want a 12 month deal.
Secondly Orange's unlimited data isnt unlimited. Its a 500MB fair use policy (too little) that - according to their website (and there has been some confusion about this) is limited to 2 months. After 2 months, you pay for the data package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The contract may be 18 months but i was simply looking at the total cost. As in, if a phone comes out in 12 months that you want, buy that also. There's nothing to stop you running two contracts concurrently. If you've seen a better deal from another network, post it, just because it's an 18 month deal doesn't make it bad.
Also, show me a network that does unlimited data that doesn't have a fair usage policy? Hell, every ISP has one, why wouldn't a phone network who has to send data over a massive infrastructure of cell towers
Btw, im not an Orange fan, im a Tmobile fan, no bias here.

I don't worry about the 18 months thing. For heavily subsidied expensive phones, it often works out that the TCO over 18 months is just a few more £ than over 12 months.
Way back when I got my Wizard with Vodafone, the 18 month contract was about £20 more than with a 12 month contract. I still got my Vario II 12 months later, but then had a spare contract phone for 6 months for £20.
As for the whole "unlimited" thing, it's not just in regards to data, they also wrap "unlimite texts" etc. in similar weasel words. I'm surprised that they're all allowed to get away with it still. It's pure false advertising, and they all do it.

ljames28 said:
The contract may be 18 months but i was simply looking at the total cost. As in, if a phone comes out in 12 months that you want, buy that also. There's nothing to stop you running two contracts concurrently. If you've seen a better deal from another network, post it, just because it's an 18 month deal doesn't make it bad.
Also, show me a network that does unlimited data that doesn't have a fair usage policy? Hell, every ISP has one, why wouldn't a phone network who has to send data over a massive infrastructure of cell towers
Btw, im not an Orange fan, im a Tmobile fan, no bias here.
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sounds like bias to me.
At least T Mobile offer 1GB fair use. 500MB is way too limited.
Also with T's web n walk plus, you get free GLOBAL T Mobile hotspot access.
Also T have a brilliant HSDPA network. How extensive is Oranges?
Also with orange - you seen that cost to non orange mobiles outside of your air time?
As for contract length.. let me put it this way..
12 months ago I bought a brand new HTC Touch.

Slightly OT, but does the Orange unlimited internet allow for using the phone as a modem? Is it unlimited internet or unlimited data?
Likewise does it allow for VOIP?
I can see how Opera will quickly eat into the data instead of pocket IE and its cut down pages
Back on topic, Orange allow a downgrade to the next lower tariff after 9(?) months -so a bit more saving. Not sure if this impacts on the cashback offer though

PaulusUK said:
Slightly OT, but does the Orange unlimited internet allow for using the phone as a modem? Is it unlimited internet or unlimited data?
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The unlimited package on orange does not allow tethering or VOIP...

Have done quite a bit of VOIP over 3G with Skype using an Orange 250mb data plan with my old Tytn 2 and never got charged for it, when I check my usage all it shows is I used a few megs, done that for months
Not tried tethering though as I have no need to.
They may say we don't allow you to do it but doesn't mean they banned it

Sorry, whats tethering?

ljames28 said:
You pay more though, the original deal i quote was £455, to get a 'free' Xbox Arcade it would cost £720. That's £265 more for a console thats worth £150 - So you're wasting £115! Hardly free ey?
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Ok for 6 months extra you get a FREE projector and £80 or pay £30 and get £20 and a free projector!
http://www.beepy.co.uk/mobile-phone...hin-35-24-month-home-cinema-gaming-projector/
Or get a FREE iPod so .... yeh it is free when you compare it with your deal

Recieved my orange UK diamond!!
Wooo!
I've got my diamond today through the m2yd and quidco cashback offer.
There's no discernable customisation to the interface and a very discreet orange badge on the rear cover.
Here are some unboxing pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/fareedoon/20080711Diamond
Also to add, it is sim-locked.

Got mine too!
Don't forget, first thing to do is look right at the bottom of the box and get the screen protector, and fit this before doing anything else

PaulusUK said:
Got mine too!
Don't forget, first thing to do is look right at the bottom of the box and get the screen protector, and fit this before doing anything else
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thanks, just noticed it!

Are orange activly trying to loose customers?

When I left Orange i was at least offerd a free Touch Diamond and an Okay 35 quid a month connection with there so called unlimited data package...
But yesterday we moved my mums phone...
The retentions guy basically wanted us to pay 40 quid a month for the contract. And wanted us to pay 150 quid for the phone...
Oh and Unlimited is now 250mb FUP... And he was even being very dodgy as im sure it was 500mb... he simply said "it depends on who you talk to"
I was a bit WTF by his attitude.
His attitude was not friendly by any means if anything it was aggressive insulting and uncaring.
I just found it really odd also that one week i get offerd a free phone a couple of weeks later they want 150 quid for it. Even with the contract. As if being a returning customer means nothing to them...
Anyone else had really bad experiences with them?
Oh and on that day we went to a Tmobile shop and got my mum a Compact IV Just waiting for the pack code to arrive to transfer the number.

In my experience;
Never take the first offer. Take note of all they have to offer, look at other prociders' contracts and then call back. You can usually negotiate something.
Always make sure you get through to Retensions, not Upgrades. Same handset, same contracts, different prices.
Prices do depends on how many 'credits' you rack up during the contract. If you pay minimum line rental and never go over minutes, you don't get much leverage on new phones/contracts.
Personally, I've always gone for 12 month contracts as I can't stand the thought of having one phone for more than a year!

I was on Orange, switched to O2, got the £35/month deal.
No more callers getting put through to my voicemail instead of my phone!

No need to go through Orange to do an upgrade, just visit one of the third party providers (car phone warehouse, Phones4U etc.) and they will upgrade you with a better deal than Orange will offer direct.
I got a free Diamond on my existing Dolphin £25 contract. Just walked into Phones4U and they offered to upgrade with no additional cost. In less than half an hour I had a new phone without having to change contract or number.

Orange!!
I was on contract with Orange for 10 years.... and when I told them I was leaving 'cos £8 a month was ridiculous for 30MB of data, some guy in an Indian call centre just said OK... 'OK'!!! TEN YEARS!
I've moved to vodafone... £30 a month, free Touch Diamond, 250 mins anytime, 150 texts, 500MB data... and polite call centre staff I can actually understand and who know what they're talking about!
I wouldn't touch Orange again if they offered me for free, every new device HTC release in the future! Good bye forever

Captain Jean Luc Picard said:
I was on Orange, switched to O2, got the £35/month deal.
No more callers getting put through to my voicemail instead of my phone!
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I switched my voicemail off years ago. Mainly because of a stalker mind you...
I've kept it off ever since.

I oredred my Diamond with Orange by phone @ 9:30 at night.....
Phone was free, I got a car charger, loyalty bonus discounts....(600mins, Unltd txts, unltd Internet...well 250mb) = £22.50 a month : 18mnths
Chuffed

Im on orange with my diamond i pay £40 quid a month and only get 150 mb of internet so i got my fone unlocked and im on vodafone pay as u go now (even tho i cnt get on the vodafone live homepage)