Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 3G released in other countries not carrier "locked"?

shebalord said:
Hi ppl,

Are some iPhone 3G released in other countries not locked to a carrier?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's correct.

In Australia we have 4 carriers selling the iPhone but when you buy the phone you have to sign on for a 12 or 24 month contract with one of those four carriers. It's not sold outright.

The iPhone is available for outright purchase in a few countries though I don't know whether the unlocked status of the phone in these countries extends internationally or if it's just unlocked to be used by other carriers within that country.
 
In Australia, Optus and Telstra offer unlocking for an extra fee for handsets purchased outright. Optus charges $80 (can also be used as credit on prepaid) and Telstra $150 as unlocking fee but only on outright purchases!
 
Chundles said:
The iPhone is available for outright purchase in a few countries though I don't know whether the unlocked status of the phone in these countries extends internationally or if it's just unlocked to be used by other carriers within that country.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Here in Sweden we only have one iPhone carrier (Telia) and they have 12-, 18- and 24-month contracts, but it's not locked per se. I was already a Telia customer so I could choose to buy the iPhone and just keep my existing contract without extending it. The iPhone wasn't activated in the store or anything like that, I just got the box and then went home and moved the SIM card from my old phone to the iPhone.
 
There are several countries in which the iPhone is sold unlocked. Some countries don't allow phones to be locked to a carrier. 🙂
 
Belgium iphones are completely carrier free. They are expensive though.

If you want I can get you one and ship it to you (price = phone price + shipping + 50€ effort fee). I can fully identify myself if you decide you want one (e-mail, phone number ,...)
 
wow! thanks for the info!

btw, how much does the iPhone cost if you buy outright in Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, France, and Hong Kong??

Thanks!
 
In New Zealand the unlocked iPhone costs 979.00 (8GB) and 1,129.00 (16GB) NZ Dollar without contract.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back