I've never had to buy my own phone before, because work have always sorted me out. Unless I can come with a wizard way to get arounds this, I have to hand back my blackberry next friday, and my number will be dead. I don't start my new job (and therefore won't get my new phone) until September. This will be disastrous for me, as I'm going to need a phone on saturday for the purposes of co-ordinating my flat move. Also, I feel naked being without a phone. My social life might die too.

What can I do? Can you still get pay as you go phones? Are they extortionate? I don't care about having a fancy iphone or even an internet phone. Basically, anything which is slightly more advanced than two paper cups held together with a piece of string will do.

Can you lease a phone for a month or so? (if not I am starting a business doing this as it's a susbtantial gap in the market for job-movers).