Scott West

When the original iPhone came out in the UK the deal with O2 was that part of each monthly bill would be given to Apple. With the 3G Apple was no longer able to demand a cut of the bill due to the deals it has worked out for other territories. O2 could subsidise the phone and customers where happy. Because we were not paying of a subsidy O2 where happy to get us all to extend our contracts at NO COST TO THEM. Now that people are wanting to upgrade from a subsidised phone to another subsidised phone, O2 has a problem. And that is why they are currently unwilling to do a deal for existing users.

I will be getting the new iPhone on the 19th even if I cannot get a deal for it (most people can’t, including people who work for Apple/O2, so I’m not holding my breath). I’m selling my current iPhone to a very good friend of mine, so that helps offset the cost of buying a new one (The guy in O2 suggested £200 for a near mint black 16G).