[askone]

I have decided that I’d really like the Bold 9700 but I’ve never had a contract phone before and as such am not too sure about the best contract to join on.
The best iv found is through orange; a free handset, 500mb internet, 1200 minutes, 3000 texts for 30 quid a month. For 24 months.
Now as someone that hasn’t had contract before 2 years sounds pretty overwhelming.
Basically I am wondering if anyone knows of a better/shorter deal. I will def not need that many minutes/texts too, I’m sure 600/600ish will do.
Any advice would be very welcome.

[Lanky0]

Hey im kind of in the same situation as you, heres a good place to look for contracts for the 7900, BlackBerry Bold 9700 - our best deal on this mobile phone. May I ask where you found the 500mb internet, 1200 minutes, 3000 texts one? Was it the Orange website?

[Stuart P]

do you both really need a contract that ties you in for 24 months? an awful long time in the ever changing mobile industry! plenty of sim only deals around with all the minutes texts and web browsing you'll need.

got my 9700 sim free £380. £15 month sim only deal. no contract

[WAYNE509]

I just got one on Vodafone with 300 mins (plenty for me) unlimited texts and 512MB internet. Has blackberry services included too. £30 a month but i got a £50 on a prepaid card to be spent anywhere like a debit card. So the way i see it is..... if i get bored with the b/berry i can still use the sim card in any other smartphone and if i go back to another blackberry i have the services there. With the £50 back it works out at roughly £28 a month

[Stuart P]

is that 18 or 24 months?

[WAYNE509]

Originally Posted by Stuart P

is that 18 or 24 months?

It's 24 months but as i have had a contract of some sort for the last 10 or 12 years it really isn't a problem. Will probably mean buying a new handset after a while but that's what i do anyway. In fact i'm selling the handset already as after 2 hours i couldnt get used to the keyboard

[Stuart P]

wow! that is such a short time testing the thing! espcially when you are not used to using the thing. my advice is bare with it at least for a week or so. give yourself time to adjust if you are new to blackberrys. had mine a month now. the things still amazes me and can not see myself using any other type of phone for a long time.

[WAYNE509]

I love the look and feel of the thing and could quite happily type on the outside keys but find using the inner letters very frustrating. If i keep it for a while and use it it will be worth less money. I'm happy enough with my iPhone and wanted a voda contract anyway so not 'too' bothered. If i don't get any interest in a sale i will try persevering and who knows maybe i will learn to love it.

[sotonjoe]

I was on the phone this morning to Orange and was offered the 9700 for free on a £25 per month 24month contract with 600mins, unltd texts, 500mb data and the Blackberry email service.

I don't think you'll get a cheaper deal than that tbh.

These phones come with long contracts in the region of £30 per month to subsidise the handset cost. You either plump for one of these 'expensive' contracts to get a 'cheap' handset or you pay full price for a sim-free handset up front.

[psikey]

I'm using a SIM free 9700 with my existing Orange PAYG SIM. Just had the BIS added at £5/month for the push mail, & unlimited internet browsing on the phone (don't make may phone calls or txt). Awesome handset & excellent Orange PAYG deal.

[askone]

Just for reference, I rang up orange and made up what other operators were offering and got free handset, 900 mins, 500 texts for 18 months for 30 quid.