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T-Mobile offering iPhone upgrade to UK big spenders
T-Mobile has started offering the iPhone in the UK, according to insiders at the firm's Merthyr call centre. V3.co.uk has been contacted by two separate sources, both claiming that T-Mobile was trialling limited stock of the iPhone 3G, having purchased a number of units from Germany, and would start offering UK customers an upgrade from 30 July.
Only a few select T-Mobile call centre operators have been authorised to give the upgrade and customers need to meet strict criteria to qualify, including being a heavy mobile user, the sources both said.
One of the sources sent us an email with an advisory note from T-Mobile labeled Action for All Advisors: T-Mobile UK's Churn Challenge, indicating that the iPhone deal is part of a strategy to stop customer churn.
The note states that T-Mobile wants to reduce churn from 27 to 20 per cent, which would still put the operator at several percentage points higher than O2; and that high value customers are leaving because of their desire for an iPhone.
To stop the customer churn, T-Mobile has decided to introduce special deals on the iPhone and the G2 Touch (aka HTC Hero), the note continues. This would be limited to eligible customers either on or willing to move to a Flext 2009 plan, who are lucky enough to get through to a member of the 'Save Desk' team based in Merthyr.
V3.co.uk contacted T-Mobile in the hope of getting a confirmation or denial on this information, but was given the standard "no comment" response.
So for any T-Mobile customers wanting to move onto an iPhone, the advice is to call T-Mobile, threaten to leave unless they give you the iPhone, and hope you've spent at least £1,000 on your mobile bills over the last two years.
If any V3.co.uk readers get anywhere with this, please get in touch and let us know. Though we wouldn't be surprised to hear that T-Mobile has pulled the offer now that the details have gone public, as demand could well outstrip supply if the iPhone handset was going to be thrown in for free for those customers already paying hefty mobile bills each month. Also Apple and O2 might want to put a stop to the offer, as their iPhone exclusivity deal is still supposed to be in place in the UK.
Good heavens, are people still wanting the iPhone after that huge security story?
Mad!
Posted by Ampers Taylor | August 4, 2009 3:45 PM
hello. I work at t-mobile in merthyr! i can confirm that the Iphone is on the network. We have done this as the deal with 02 does not cover the 3g. it only now covers the 3Gs. T-mobile are offering this to people who complete a certin term and plan.
Posted by mike | August 4, 2009 8:27 PM
May i point out that the information the alleged t-mobile emplyee has given is very wide of the mark. The o2 contract with apple is a multi year contract that covers all Phones that Apple manufacture
Posted by anon | August 6, 2009 10:57 AM
the o2 contract is indeed multi year, but what does multi year mean, 1.1 years? it could be very close to expiring
Posted by anon | August 8, 2009 4:04 PM
where can i find this offer info, is there any website for t-mobile?
Posted by Amarjit Singh Kullar | August 14, 2009 9:49 AM
Just phoned t-mobile uk, and they said they will not be getting the iphone.
Posted by Dheeraj | September 30, 2009 7:59 PM
I just got an iPhone 3GS with O2 - cost £87.11 for handset - £34.26/month for 24 months (600mins, 500txts + unlimited internet).
I called T-Mobile to get my PAC code and they offered me the iPhone 3G for FREE! For £35/month I will get 800mins, unlimited texts and unlimited internet. Furthermore, if they get the 3GS and their tariffs get better in January, I will be eligible for free upgrade to phone and contract!
I have been with T-Mobile for around 3 years paying on average £35 a month (although my current cotnract is only for £20!!!)
Posted by Anon | October 21, 2009 9:04 PM
I also called T mobile today to get my PAC code and was offered the iPhone 3G also for free. I have been trying to get one out of them for the last 3 months (I even contacted Richard Moats office). It seems as though they have been offering iPhone for the last 10 days, not sure how long this is for.
However, T-mobile are not offering phone directly you need to go through another company called Chitter Chatter. Deals very similar to o2 best advice is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate...!
As a Tmobile nee Mercury 1-2-1 customer for over 15 years have found the whole handling of this shambolic, but hey got the handset I wanted on the network I am happy with.
Posted by Anon | October 29, 2009 5:14 PM
Its true, I was offered one yesterday after threatening to leave. I pay £35 per month and have been doing so for the last few years.
Posted by Steve | November 4, 2009 10:21 AM
I called them today to leave and they offered me an iphone 3gs for £78.51 plus £6.99 p&p. Its £35.51 per month for 800 mis, unlimited texts and internet. Happy days. its coming on tuesday!
Posted by Chris Scott | November 5, 2009 4:53 PM
I also called last week to cancel my contract and move to o2, they offered me the iPhone on a 24 month contract, £34.26 per month (same as o2) but unlimited texts, internet, and 800 mins!! Much more than o2 offer! I have spent a LOT with t-mobile in the past few years so obviously do meet the criteria. Very happy with the service offered, and phone comes Tuesday!! Comes from a third party company Chitter Chatter, they were very helpful and even rang me to apologise that as a result of the royal mail strike the phone would be here tuesday rather than yesterday. Some companies wouldn;t have bothered ringing me i bet!
Posted by kelly | November 7, 2009 3:10 PM
I have two phones (Blackberry 8310's) on T-Mobile, on a Flext contract, costing around £90 a month for both phones, including lots of data and roaming.
My contract was up for renewal today - I called T-Mobile and asked for my PAC codes to move over to O2.
They asked "why O2?", to which I replied "because you don't offer iPhones".
The response was "We do to high-yield customers, we'll call you back within the hour"
I just had the call-back - I now have *two* iPhone 3GS 16GB on order, for delivery on Thursday. Both handsets are free, and the tariff is £45.05 per month, including unlimited texts, internet and 1200 minutes. I'm a happy camper!
Posted by David | November 9, 2009 12:56 PM
I have called T-Mobile and they told me that i would only beable to get an IPhone with them when i my contract is due for renewal.
I recenrtly renewed my contract in April on a £40/month flex plan and have definitely spent more than £1000 in the past two years but they still insisting that the cannot offer me the iphone untill i am ready to renew. i have even offered to go on a higher plan
I threatened to leave but they still not changing what they say.
Any advice, i dont want to leave T-Mobile but really want the IPhone.
Posted by Marvin | November 12, 2009 8:23 AM
just offered to leave T mobile today due to I PHone - been offered a 3GS FOC 1000 mins, unlimited txtx & data for £35/month - happy days
Posted by richard | November 16, 2009 9:31 PM
I was offered the iphone too when I said i was leaving to go to o2. They said they were out of stock, its now been a week and i still havent heard anything? Has anyone recently received a 3GS??
Posted by Anon | November 18, 2009 4:19 PM
I phoned T-mobile last week as my contract is up and I wanted the i-Phone.
After several phone calls I was told they are out of stock and will be available with the month.
I expressed my dismay and was given £25 per month off of my current contract until the i-Phone is back in stock, albeit in 1 month.
Looking forward to it. 16gb 3GS with 1200 mints, unlimited text, email and internet for £44 per month which is line with every other provider.
Well chuffed as I have been with t-mobile for over 10 years and did not really want to move.
Posted by Lee | November 21, 2009 11:39 AM
Just called t-mobile, they said they only do the 3g and not 3gs,has anyone managed to get a 3gs recently??
Posted by Tee | November 23, 2009 4:47 PM
An update - on November 9th I phoned T-Mobile and the retention department offered to upgrade my two Blackberry devices to two iPhone 3GS 16GB. Then I was told they were out of stock.
Since then, I've phoned them at least 3 times a week, only to be told "they're coming".
Thus far, I've been told they would be in-stock on November 11th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 26th and 27th. They still haven't magically arrived from Italy.
I called Chitter-Chatter, and the nice guy on the phone advised me that they're having a supply issue and they should be back in stock by the end of December.
From a 9th November upgrade, the end of December is far too far away. My Blackberry devices are both suffering various issues, so today I switched both Blackberrys' over to iPhone 16GB 3GS' on the Orange network. Delivery confirmed for before 10am, Wednesday 2nd Dec.
I wanted to stay with T-Mobile, but in the end, they promised what they ultimately couldn't deliver in a timely manner, so I'm leaving T-Mobile, after being a customer since 1999.
Posted by David | November 28, 2009 10:29 PM
i was promised a 3gs last week, it still not arrived! they now telling me it will be after xmas, offered me a 3g instead, gonna wait..
Posted by andy | November 29, 2009 11:02 AM
I've just ordered my iPhone from T-Mobile with a better deal that 02, it comes tomorrow
Posted by Andy Hemmings | November 30, 2009 12:58 PM
T-mobile got the 3gs delivery in 3 hours ago, you better call them now before they sell out. Also T-mobile are having trouble getting through to chitter chatter, take my advice and when they say 'we're gonna have to call you back when we get through' agree and call them straight back and get another customer servicer to try. Mine comes friday.
Posted by ben Francis | December 1, 2009 8:57 PM
I'm on hold with T-mob right now waiting to get through to chitter chatter and i've been offered a iphone 3G 8GB - £45pm, 1000mins, Unlimited text & net.... Do u think I can get a better deal? Help I need tips not very good with the hagglin!! Thanks :)
Posted by JBM | December 4, 2009 7:13 PM
hi guys rang tmobile
on the7th dec they told me they have loads of the 3GS iphones in. getting mine on Friday. £34.? per month
800 mins and unlimited internet etc. (can't wait)
Posted by nevermind | December 8, 2009 9:03 PM
Hi All
i have been ringing tmobile for the last 2 days as i got a call from their upgrades department (which by the way is a separate one that the one you get when you call 150 on your handset).
they said to me they cannot offer me the iphone as they do not offer them. i then called 150 from my handset to speak to customer services. they said they do offer the iphone to high paid customers.
i have been with tmobile for 10 yrs with a great contract. i do not want to leave tmobile. but i dont know what else to do.
the posts on here give me hope. but any help from you guys would be great xx
Posted by Reena | December 24, 2009 12:14 PM
you reckon i could pay extra for the handset only on a £20 a month contract?
Posted by anon | December 28, 2009 5:35 PM
I`m having three lines with Tmobile, Two of these line will due for upgrade next month,I need only one 3GS iPhone, should I ring them or go to their store for upgrade?
Posted by WOLE OLADAPO | January 1, 2010 6:12 PM
Just rang t mobile to get a PAC code to move to 02. they then offered me the iPhone 3GS 800 minutes, unlimited texts & internet + data for £35 a month. I was told they come from a 3rd party company from Italy and the iPhones are unlocked to any network!
Posted by ECM | January 2, 2010 5:35 PM
Hey, just wondering didnt know they did the iphone so got the windows phone was soooooooo crap ive sent it back when on the phone asked if i cud have an iphone instead now gotta wait a week for them to knotice they have it. if there gonna give me a phone worth £300+ why not make it an iphone yeah at least they work 90% of the time and when they crash only stop working for 2 mins and have no delay. i had the windows phone 5 days it crashed 3 times the delay was constant didnt like how the contacts always took me to last called or recived n the stupid way u have to close every window. grr wish me an iphone for next week hurry up mr posty
Posted by matthew | January 14, 2010 1:53 PM
Rang TMobile today for an up grade on one of my three lines.Told the Guy i wanted IPhone 3GS he took my number and said he would ring me Mon PM as he was in traing for the IPhone Am Keep you pasted.
Posted by marvin walker | January 17, 2010 10:43 PM
After reading this page I called up and asked for my PAC code (didn't even know waht that was haha) and they offered me the iphone! I have 3 lines but they were all on friends and family and only cost about £20 a month each. It'll now be £35 unlimited txts and inet and 800 mins. Delivered on wed!
Posted by JMCG | January 22, 2010 10:42 AM
Nice, im on Tmobile and i am due for an upgrade in march. I already pay £35 a month so hope they offer me the iphone, and same as JMCG i'll just ask for my PAC code thanks to this site. Fingers crossed!
Posted by martin avery | January 22, 2010 7:01 PM
I have my next upgrade in September with T-Mobile, I have been there for 2 years.
I tried the old "I want to cancel my contract and go to 02" i need to pay off £250 to cancel my contract which is huge!
They said in Sept you can have the iphone no doubt but now we can't. I asked to pay an excess but that didn't work either :(
may have to go down the handset route but thats going to be pricey!
Posted by vc | January 23, 2010 12:13 PM
I was never offered an iphone when i upgraded in november. Was told t-mobile would nerver get the iphone. Phoned up and moaned about i after finding all this out and they just said it was most prob not round at that time. Have now wrote and waiting 4 an answer as i want the iphone but not getting my hopes up. If any 1 cn help on this please let me know as i am going to fight this as i have been lied too and there must be a cluse in the contract that they have broken thoght of reporting the to trading standards but not sure if it would get me any were plz help.
Posted by jason page | January 25, 2010 3:52 PM
i rang tmobile today and they did not care i wanted to leave and offered me nothing been with them 15years. t mobile have no loyalty to old customers only new
Posted by Michelle | January 25, 2010 6:17 PM
I was due an upgrade last july/aug, but instead of taking the upgrade i took a discount until there was a phone that I liked.
Had my phone stolen at weekend, had heard tmobile had iphones so rang them today to get a new handset and said all I wanted was an iphone and I could see on thier websites forum that customers were getting them. I was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't have them, and that I was not due an upgrade. I said that I had taken the discount on condition that when a phone came out that I liked I could remove the discount and get the upgrade instead. Then the story changed to they did have them but didn't anymore. Then she said that they did have them but I didn't meet the criteria, but she could speak to the upgrade dept and see what else they could offer me, but it definately would not be an iphone. I agreed, held, then she came back and said someone from upgrades would ring within 15mins to speak to me.
2mins later they rung and straight away offered me 2 price plans on the 3Gs iphone, with no problem whatsoever. £35 800 mins unltd text and internet and £80 for handset, or £45 1200mins unltd text and internet with free handset.
I then was passed onto chitterchatter, (who are supplying iphone to tmobile) who were very helpful and my phone is due on fri.
Just goes to show with a little persistance they will cave eventually. I was told iphones are for exsisting customers and not new ones which is why theyre being secretive about it.
Been with tmobile about 10 years and have paid between 20-50 month on contracts. this tarriff is actually better value than the one I was on before!
Posted by bndms | January 27, 2010 12:31 AM
I called T-mobile today because my upgrade is due in 4weeks. Told them I was leaving for O2 because of the i-phone. The chap offered me a 24month i-phone contract 3GS 16GB, 800mins for £35pm,but I have to pay £79 one-off OR £45 and get the phone for free. I'm not taking it though because I'd lose my 50% advantage plan discount.
Posted by mistercutex | January 27, 2010 11:21 AM
Rang tmob and said I'm leaving you for another ! A clearly devastated tmob employee gasped and said but why ? I said " you don't satisfy my needs with the phones you offer" I'm in love with the iPhone :-) been touching the touch for a yr now and all that's missing on it is a phone ! I'm packing my PAC and I'm off !!! :-) the tmob employee on vended knee said " I got you an iPhone :-) 800 mins ! Unlimited txts unlimited Internet :-) and to top it off it's in black !!!! Plz plz stay don't leave stay on for £35 pm for all that plz we love you !!! Oh ok he didn't say he loved me but the rest is fairly accurate :-) ps: got to give them £80 upfront on order !!! Not bad compared to the meercat.com x sorry Market x si
Posted by Simon spore | January 28, 2010 1:43 PM
i have 3 lines with t mobile and together pay over 100 per month easy i was due to renew my contracty today and when i threated to leave they said i could have the iphone 3gs 16 gb for an extra 5 pounds a month which is 45 pounds for 1200 mins unlimited internet and texts, can i get this any lower
Posted by sej | February 1, 2010 11:38 PM