iPhone 3G unlocking down to a tough, old-fashioned science in Vietnam

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 30th 2008 at 12:42PM

Most would-be iPhone 3G unlockers are impatiently waiting for an easy software solution that's been in the works since release day, but in some parts of the world, entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands. Enter Vietnam's Tuan Anh Do, who employs a team of some 30 technicians diligently tearing iPhones and iPhone 3Gs apart to remove the baseband chips, reprogram them, and solder them back into place at a charge of about $80. Considering that the end result is a totally carrier-unlocked device, the cost could be perceived as reasonable by some Vietnamese who desperately want an iPhone on the domestic carrier of their choice -- but there's the ever-present risk of re-locking, which 2.2 conveniently does. Of course, that just means more business for Do, who charges another $50 to unlock re-locked handsets. All told, probably not a business model Apple would approve of -- but it's pretty awesome that a single handset has given rise to an entire cottage industry.

[Thanks, JagsLive]

Filed under: Apple

Tags: apple, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g, unlock, unlocking, vietnam

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

megamouse @ Nov 30th 2008 1:11PM

Does it come with hot chili?

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ColumnBreak @ Nov 30th 2008 2:12PM

No, just cock sauce.

Neutral

KilgoreTrout @ Nov 30th 2008 2:13PM

I'm pretty sure Do will be happy to unlock your also your Storm, Omnia, HTCs etc.
It's not the iphone to have started these (note the plural) cottage industrieS , it's just the right mix of human intelligence and healthy greed, that , as G. Gekko taught to us all is "GOOOD, very GOOOD"

Highest Ranked

ILoveApple @ Nov 30th 2008 2:25PM

God damn! Look at those nails!

Neutral

TITS @ Nov 30th 2008 4:25PM

Where my sweet 'n sour sauce? Damn, you american.

Neutral

Justin Ried @ Nov 30th 2008 8:01PM

That looks like some pretty scary corrosion on the PCB.

What is that? Rust? Glue?

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Brian @ Nov 30th 2008 9:35PM

I don't think that's the PCB - probably pieces of metal masking the bits around where he's de-soldering (with the heat-gun in his left hand.)

Neutral

Jack H @ Nov 30th 2008 10:31PM

"but it's pretty awesome that a single handset has given rise to an entire cottage industry."
i counted 2 devices

Neutral

christexaport @ Dec 1st 2008 4:46PM

Good post, Chris Z.! Could you forward contact information for Tuan Anh Do or someone aware of his organization? I'd love to get my N95-2 to work on T-MobileUSA's great 1700/2100MHz AWS 3G network. Sounds like they may have the marbles to do it. I'd pay $150 to add AWS 3G to any current Nokia Nseries device, and can find at least 5000 just like me. Maybe this cottage industry can find its way on American shores, where we sorely need it. We can hardly spell unlocked here, and carriers (mainly at&t) have too much power over consumer choices.