Hi,

I have a Motorolla Timeport phone from circa 1999 which is on an Orange
tariff. It is knackered, fell into a bowl of water a few months ago and is
very crackly now. I had been hoping to upgrade to a Windows Smartphone but I
have not been impressed by either Orange's tarrifs or the Windows'
Smartphones currently available in the UK.

I am seriously thinking about leaving Orange sometime this year as and when
I see the right Smartphone with a UK mobile vendor plus the 'right'
Smartphone that suits my needs. Anyhow, in the meantime I need to replace my
current phone.

A friend tells me that I should be able to get a 'free' upgrade phone from
Orange which, no matter how basic, will be much better than my Motorolla. He
advises that I should go with the upgrade for now and then ditch Orange
later in the year. Alternaitvely, he advises buying a basic unlocked phone
from Expanys and using that with my Orange SIM.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there such a thing as a 'free' phone upgrade from Orange? I have never
had one.

2. If I do get this 'free' upgrade does it lock me into being with Orange
for another 12 or 18 months? I do not wish to be with them longer than the
next 6 months as I can see the data only tariffs from the likes of T-Mobile
being something that I would want.

3. Any other useuful advice please.

Thanks,


John.