O2 have kicked all iPhone 3G owners in the teeth by changing their policy on iPhone upgrades.
On Twitter tonight O2 repeatedly confirmed that anyone still within the minimum term of their contract will have to pay extra to upgrade. (see pic on right) The GadgetStylist himself challenged O2 on this and got the same response. O2′s Fair Deal policy where new customers and existing customers are treated alike seems to have ended.
O2 Twitter page
If you have 6 months left on your contract – which is the minimum for any iPhone 3G owner – you’ll have to pay out 6 times your monthly contract! In the meantime the value of selling your iPhone 3G on eBay is likely to be diminished by the new phone and a new cheaper price for the iPhone 3G which will stay on sale ($99 in the US – O2 tbc). A double kick in the teeth.
Accoring to O2′s Twitter post, if you bought an iPhone 3G 6 months ago you’ll have to pay at least £360 to upgrade to the iPhone 3G S at launch:
12 months x £30 per month = £360
The minimum an iPhone 3G owner would have to pay is £180 (£30 x 6 months) plus the price of the new phone, likely to be £100-£250.
BIG PIECE OF FREE ADVICE – downgrade to £30 tariff now to reduce your upgrade charge from O2. Need to be 9 months into contract.
Really disappointing news for loyal iPhone owners everywhere. After months of build up and excitement iPhone fans all across the UK are now experiencing a massive anti-climax.
Update:
Join the petition http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/28413.html
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Come and sign the petition. I doubt it will do anything, but it’s worth a try: http://is.gd/TChq
Great idea! I’m signing up right now.
Online petition – o2 – No 3gs Upgrade for Current iPhone customers