O2 repair service?

[teamleader]

I'm looking for a bit of advice if at all possible, my lad has a Sony Ericsson W705 on contract. Lately it has developed a fault (bit complicated to explain), so it was agreed to send it off to them (O2) for repair. I've recieved a letter from them saying that this phone is out of stock and can't say when it will be back in stock.They are asking for the phone to be sent as agreed but they can only do a repair only procedure and this may take upto 7 days on it landing on their doorstep.
Are they obliged to at least give him another phone until this one is repaired, what alternatives would be available if they can't fix it and obviously the contract payment for that week away(or whatever time) should be discounted from the monthly bill? The phone's only 2/3 months old.

[prking]

Originally Posted by teamleader

I'm looking for a bit of advice if at all possible, my lad has a Sony Ericsson W705 on contract. Lately it has developed a fault (bit complicated to explain), so it was agreed to send it off to them (O2) for repair. I've recieved a letter from them saying that this phone is out of stock and can't say when it will be back in stock.They are asking for the phone to be sent as agreed but they can only do a repair only procedure and this may take upto 7 days on it landing on their doorstep.
Are they obliged to at least give him another phone until this one is repaired, what alternatives would be available if they can't fix it and obviously the contract payment for that week away(or whatever time) should be discounted from the monthly bill? The phone's only 2/3 months old.

They are only obliged to provide a repair in a reasonable length of time. The contract is seperate to the supply of the handset so there is no obligation for them to provide any refund. However, if you are reasonable with them, they may well make a good will gesture.
I wouldn't expect this to be overly complicated. If it was me I would put my SIM in my old phone and let them repair it for a week or so.