SHORT VERSION
I guess the short version is: if I call AT&T and tell them that I'm leaving the US for 4 to 5 months, will they give me an unlock code for my iPhone along with canceling my service? I signed up for a new 2-year contract on July 12th 2008, when I bought my iPhone 3G. Once I return to the US, I'd obviously go back to AT&T because I'd still be using my iPhone.
The problem of how to use my iPhone 3G overseas remains. See more details below.
THE DETAILS
I've been with AT&T since a day after the release of the original iPhone. I bought the iPhone 3G on July 12th, and with that, of course, came a new contract. I'm an international student who's in the US on an F-1 visa. My situation has now changed in such a way that I am returning home to Europe for about 5 months. In January, I intend to return to the US.
While in Switzerland, I'd obviously like to keep using my iPhone 3G, because using any other phone at this point would feel like down-grading, big-time. So now, I face a strange situation regarding my AT&T service and my iPhone ownership.
Do I cancel my AT&T service and pay the cancellation fee, and then sign up anew once I return in early 2009? Or do I stay with AT&T and keep paying the core bills of $75 a month for a few months.. and then just pick up where I left off once I return? I don't really want to unlock my phone even though that's probably going to be possible, even on the iPhone 3G, sooner or later (if it isn't already, haven't been keeping up), but if I do not, I won't be able to use my iPhone with any other carrier back home (Switzerland).
Between these two options, cost wise, I feel like there isn't a huge difference. Cancelling and rejoining is somewhere between $200 and $300, right? And paying the bills for 4 to 5 months and picking up where I left off is between roughly $300 and $400+.
Thing is.. if I cancel service here and explain my situation, will AT&T unlock the phone for me?
That's just the beginning of my problem. Swisscom's the only one in Switzerland that carries the iPhone AFAIK, so I'd go with them.. but prepaid doesn't seem feasible because data rates with prepaid are ridiculous. I'll somehow have to sign a contract for at least one year, then cancel that prematurely again..
It's a headache, put briefly. Any suggestions? I thought I'd ask here first and discuss this before I call AT&T. I figure they'll simply suggest I keep the service and keep paying them.
I guess the short version is: if I call AT&T and tell them that I'm leaving the US for 4 to 5 months, will they give me an unlock code for my iPhone along with canceling my service? I signed up for a new 2-year contract on July 12th 2008, when I bought my iPhone 3G. Once I return to the US, I'd obviously go back to AT&T because I'd still be using my iPhone.
The problem of how to use my iPhone 3G overseas remains. See more details below.
THE DETAILS
I've been with AT&T since a day after the release of the original iPhone. I bought the iPhone 3G on July 12th, and with that, of course, came a new contract. I'm an international student who's in the US on an F-1 visa. My situation has now changed in such a way that I am returning home to Europe for about 5 months. In January, I intend to return to the US.
While in Switzerland, I'd obviously like to keep using my iPhone 3G, because using any other phone at this point would feel like down-grading, big-time. So now, I face a strange situation regarding my AT&T service and my iPhone ownership.
Do I cancel my AT&T service and pay the cancellation fee, and then sign up anew once I return in early 2009? Or do I stay with AT&T and keep paying the core bills of $75 a month for a few months.. and then just pick up where I left off once I return? I don't really want to unlock my phone even though that's probably going to be possible, even on the iPhone 3G, sooner or later (if it isn't already, haven't been keeping up), but if I do not, I won't be able to use my iPhone with any other carrier back home (Switzerland).
Between these two options, cost wise, I feel like there isn't a huge difference. Cancelling and rejoining is somewhere between $200 and $300, right? And paying the bills for 4 to 5 months and picking up where I left off is between roughly $300 and $400+.
Thing is.. if I cancel service here and explain my situation, will AT&T unlock the phone for me?
That's just the beginning of my problem. Swisscom's the only one in Switzerland that carries the iPhone AFAIK, so I'd go with them.. but prepaid doesn't seem feasible because data rates with prepaid are ridiculous. I'll somehow have to sign a contract for at least one year, then cancel that prematurely again..
It's a headache, put briefly. Any suggestions? I thought I'd ask here first and discuss this before I call AT&T. I figure they'll simply suggest I keep the service and keep paying them.