The only reason carphone warehouse are saying 3G is better with 3.0 is because they need to get shot of all their 3G's!!! Why do you think Apple reduced their cost? Old stocks!!!

So your number/card is orange and ya missus' number is O2? I got confused on that bit, sorry. But the way I read it means that Orange won't release the PAC code until the contract is paid up in full!

As said tho, 3GS is crackable - see dev team blog - and will be able to be unlocked shortly using their tools.