Activesync hotmail contacts

Question

Hi guys,
I hope someone can help me. I've just created the new hotmail activesync and everything works i.e. I receive email, however, my issue is to do with contacts. All my hotmail contacts are now on my iphone, but not visa versa. Is this possible?
If not, does that mean when I want to put in a new tel # I have to put it in hotmail first so it syncs with the iphone? This doesn't sound practical if it's the case.
Many thanks

Answer 1

Apparently there is not a merge option for contacts with an Exchange account which is why I begin this with do you want to try. A merge option is available when turning contacts on for over the air syncing with a MobileMe account.
You have two options. Leave both sets of contacts available on your iPhone as you have already done and when adding a new contact on your iPhone, your Hotmail online address book group needs to be selected.
Or you can sync the contacts stored locally on your iPhone with the address book application used by Outlook Express or Windows Mail called Windows Contacts via the iTunes sync process. If you don't use Windows Contacts - it is empty, before the first sync for this data enter one contact in Windows Contacts. This will provide a merge prompt with the first sync for this data which you want to select. Syncing contacts with Windows Contacts is selected under the Info tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes.
Follow this by syncing Windows Contacts with your Hotmail online address book if Microsoft supports this. If not, you should be able to export the contacts from Windows Contacts in a format supported by Microsoft for import by your Hotmail online address book. After all contacts are available with your Hotmail online address book, you can repeat the same as before on your iPhone and this time select delete for the contacts stored locally on your iPhone.