Kvestion on backups and restores

Okay, so after three attempts to get VZW to honor my upgrade pricing 13 days early, after my Blackberry met with partial demise due to water (which rice did not solve), I called today to ask that my data plan be suspended until I am eligible for and can order a new Curve.

The nice young girl explained that data plans alone can't be suspended (duh, I should have known that) .. BUT she put me on hold, consulted her supervisor, and came back on the line offering me an instant upgrade. I love her, and I don't even know her. Heh.

Anyway, my device isn't dead. I was able to do a backup just now.

Does that mean when my new Curve arrives -- assuming it will ship with OS 4.3 (I had upgraded to 4.5), it will automatically load 4.5? Or will I have to upload it separately?

Weird query; I know. I'd just love to be able to skip that step.