Apple spells out the story on iPhone locking around the globe

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 15th 2008 at 6:52AM

On AT&T, you know the drill: your iPhone 3G's locked up tight, and no amount of begging, pleading, or bargaining is going to convince a CS rep to drop the digital deadbolt for you (not to say they'd have the foggiest clue how to anyway). In other parts of the world, though, some carriers are more than happy to unlock iPhone 3Gs that have been sold through them -- and sometimes, they're even unlocked out of the gate. Apple has thrown out a handy guide to the relative scruples of carriers around the world, ranging from Mobistar Belgium -- where the phone you buy can be used on any carrier you like -- to our own aforementioned AT&T, where only the good folks at the iPhone Dev Team can save you. Of course, you pay more when the phone comes unlocked, so, you know, pick your poison.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Apple

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

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

000000 @ Dec 15th 2008 8:38AM

How much more? What is an unlocked price for a 3G iPhone in New Zealand?

So could I buy one from their carrier and have it shipped to the U.S. If so then why the run around Apple? They should have screwed the carrier deals and sold both unlocked AND locked(carrier). Give people the freakin choice.

Neutral

ace587 @ Dec 15th 2008 8:41AM

time to call up folks in France

Neutral

Roger Alford @ Dec 15th 2008 9:07AM

This has been on Apples support page for MONTHS already...anyone who didnt see it is an idiot!

@Ace587 - They CAN lock phones in France, its NOT illegal, contrary to belief...
Wikipedia entry for SIM LOCK FRANCE is below..

In France, SIM locks are not prohibited. However, the mobile operator must inform the consumer of the existence of a SIM lock. The subscriber has the right to request that the SIM lock be removed at any time. No later than 6 months prior to the conclusion of the contract, the mobile operator must "systematically and free of charge" provide the subscriber with a procedure to deactivate the SIM lock. Operators may charge a fee for removing the SIM lock prior to the 6-month deadline.

Me personally - I think a person should be able to request unlock code REGARDLESS if they are with a carrier or not and at ANYTIME.

Neutral

alex @ Dec 16th 2008 6:36AM

Absolutely agree with the fact this has been available for ages. And I have had one from Italy for months, works flawlessly on T-Mobile USA, upgrades and all with no SIM adpaters or worries about the DEV Team trying to hack the phone. Someone at EM has dropped the ball in this one.
-alex

Neutral

carcomptoy @ Dec 15th 2008 12:38PM

I thought the provision for the SIM locks in France was that they had to offer both locked and unlocked versions to the French consumers, in which the unlocked obviously cost more, but at least they were given the option.