EE launches today - opinions?

£note

I emailed Handtech, one of many suppliers advertising the Lumia 920 sim free and unlocked and just had this response:
"Thank you for your email.
We will be taking stock of sim-free unlocked versions of the phone, but they will become available shortly after the phones release. We hope to have them by mid-November.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this ticket.
As always, it is our pleasure to assist in any way possible!
Thank you"
Clarity or more confusion, you decide!

cgk1

It's confusing all round - different parts of EE (EE, Orange, T-mobile) are saying different things at different times, same for the suppliers, same for Nokia.

I guess we will have to wait and see what actually happens.

50Twuncle

21Twinkle wrote: »

What a joke - the poor employees must be really embarrassed by their new boss - that's why they can't bring themselves to answer emails directed to them - that explains everything !!
NOT

I emailed [EMAIL="executive.office@orange.co.uk"]executive.office@orange.co.uk[/EMAIL] asking for an explanation as to the reasons that, on the very day 4G is started properly - my signal strength went through the floor

Guess what ?
Email "read" - response ZERO

Similar when I tweeted Tmobile support

TYPICAL

cgk1

Will it be possible to buy a Lumia 920 off-contract?

Yes. Phones4U will sell the device without a SIM card for those who don’t require a contract. However, Phones4U will be selling what’s been described to us “an EE variant of the Lumia 920” that will only work with Orange, T-Mobile and EE SIM cards. As previously reported, this off-contract 920 will be sold by Phones4U for £459.95.

Can I buy the Lumia 920 from somewhere other than Phones4U or EE?
No. EE is the exclusive carrier and Phones4U the exclusive retailer for the device in the UK.

Will there be an end to this exclusivity arrangement?
Nokia says that it will review the current arrangements ‘later this quarter’.

If the Lumia 920 is exclusive to EE, does that mean I have to get a 4G tariff?

No. EE has confirmed to us that the 920 will also be offered through its 3G carrier brands, Orange and T-Mobile.

How much will the Lumia 920 cost on a 3G tariff?

Customers on Orange will be able to purchase the device for £49.99 upfront on the Panther Extra plan at £36 per month; T-Mobile customers can get one for £49.00 upfront on the £36pm Full Monty tariff. T-Mobile’s Full Monty tariff also include unlimited data. Other price plans are available on both carriers; upfront device charges may vary.

When will the Lumia 920 be available to buy?

You can order a Lumia 920 on contract from Phones4U right now, for delivery on 6 November. Orders are available via EE’s website right now, offering delivery within two business days. T-Mobile and Orange will begin offering the device on 9 November.

http://www.neowin.net/news/nokia-and-ee-clarify-nokia-lumia-920820-availability-in-uk

Sponge

£note wrote: »

Hmm, I'm confused. Until now I've always thought that "sim free" and unlocked meant the same thing. Are you saying that all the retailers that are offering the 920 sim free are actually selling phones that are locked to EE and therefore won't work on other networks? Can you link to where Nokia have confirmed this?

Traditionally, 'SIM-free' has been understood to mean network unlocked, i.e. you can put any SIM, from any network, in it. I believe in other countries, e.g. the US, it often means something else. It means the phone is provided without a SIM card, or contract, at point of sale; however, it is still locked to a particular network. It looks like Nokia/EE are now trying this in the UK with the 920 & 4G.

However, you can still order from outside the UK and get a truely SIM free, unbranded phone. Check the internet for forum discussions on the 820/920 release and you will find hundreds of annoyed potential customers. Annoyed with delays, misinformation and exclusivity deals, including 'SIM-free' not meaning SIM-free. Many of them are ordering from several sites in Germany, including Amazon.

I've pre-ordered my 920 from Amazon.de.