Buy iphone 3G S in Europe to bring back and use on T Mobile US

[hulagrrrl]

I am longing for an iphone but don't want to go thru AT&T. I have a friend going over to Europe and am wondering if I should have him get me a phone over there - since there are places you can purchase the phone w/out commiting to a carrier.

1) Has anyone done this before and if so, were you successful in activating and using the phone in the US?
2) I've heard you can pay to have the simlock removed. Anyone recommend doing this?
3) Any ideas on how I can find out pricing on purchasing the phone in Europe?

 

[throttlemeister]

I am longing for an iphone but don't want to go thru AT&T. I have a friend going over to Europe and am wondering if I should have him get me a phone over there - since there are places you can purchase the phone w/out commiting to a carrier.

1) Has anyone done this before and if so, were you successful in activating and using the phone in the US?
2) I've heard you can pay to have the simlock removed. Anyone recommend doing this?
3) Any ideas on how I can find out pricing on purchasing the phone in Europe?

You can buy unlocked iPhones in Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Perhaps others. Pricing will be about 800 euro or $1150. Locked phones are available in just about every country, same price. You can pay to have it unlocked (typically ~50 euro).

Keep in mind that the iPhone 3GS currently has a leadtime of about 8 weeks in most countries in Europe.