Regarding my earlier post about upgrading mid-contract to an iPhone (4 or 3GS), what the T-Mobile UK operator was telling me at the time (and also neglected to pass on the full details) was that I would have to completely terminate my existing contract, including my current phone number, and start entirely from scratch.
I have now been told that it is not possible to do early upgrades on T-Mobile to the iPhone due to the cost of the handsets. Normally you’d be able to upgrade your phone early (presumably without penalty) three months prior to your contract renewal. I’ve been told I could do this in November as my contract renewal is, apparently, due in December 2010.
What?!
I have now been told that my contract runs out in December 2010, not March 2011 as mentioned on the web site, not June 2011 as mentioned by the operator last week.
I’m not blaming the operators here, I don’t think they’re at fault as such. If anything it’s a complete lack of training and new upgrade policy regarding the iPhone. And everybody seems to be confused – least of all me.
I will most certainly be writing to T-Mobile customer service now and asking them, in writing, my exact date of contract expiry because I will will most definitely be cancelling and moving to another operator come December this year. I’m not surprised T-Mobile hasn’t had the iPhone yet – it seems absolutely incompetent as to what it’s going to do with them and is not going to be rewarding or helping long term customers as a consequence. If you’re thinking of T-Mobile as a new customer and wanting a iPhone – pick O2,3 or Vodaphone instead. Anyone else but T-Mobile.
Update: going back and tagging some of these posts, I’ve discovered that I last renewed in December 2009. This should mean that I am due for an early renewal in March. But I have no idea what that means as to cancelling the contract itself. The operator I spoke to today was most insistent that I could renew in November. I am still very confused and I don’t have anything in writing other than what’s on the T-Mobile web site as to what package and what my renewal options come into play. Argh.

