O2 iPhone Exclusivity in the UK to End October 9th?

[ascender]

Thanks for the link, I'm very interested to see what Orange's tarriffs are going to be compared to O2. Certainly in terms of customer service, Orange were always excellent.

 

[sparky7]

Register your interest here

https://interest.orange.co.uk/default.aspx

This page says iPhone 3G coming to orange soon, not just iPhone 3G!

 

[talkingfuture]

I'm hoping this will lead to a more competitive PAYG price. I don't spend enough to justify the current contracts, but I keep baulking at paying £342.50 for a phone. Alternatively we might see some cheaper contracts with a bit of competition in the market.

 

[ascender]

Would be good to see some sort of incentive/discount for multiple handsets in the same house.

 

[Luke Redpath]

Great to see O2's exclusivity end, especially as my contract ends in January. I was going to move onto the Simplicity tariff but will now be interested to see what deals Orange have.

But, here is the key thing, will there be an official way of unlocking iPhones that people already have from O2? I can't see O2 wanting to do it if there is a way but will Apple be able to do it perhaps?

 

[phalewhale]

Brilliant NEWS!

This is fab news for anyone who doesn't want to have to deal with O2's horrendous customer service!

 

[Wayne s]

Good news indeed, I have been with Orange for years so may get an iphone after all.

 

[talkingfuture]

Looks like Vodafone are joining the party

http://www.9to5mac.com/vodafone_gets_iphone_in_uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/6241786/Vodafone-will-sell-the-iPhone-in-the-UK.html

competition ftw!

 

[limesmoothie]

Looks like Vodafone are joining the party

http://www.9to5mac.com/vodafone_gets_iphone_in_uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/6241786/Vodafone-will-sell-the-iPhone-in-the-UK.html

competition ftw!

Just read this on the Torygraph website.

If true, potentially great news on the grounds of network coverage and hopefullly lower tariffs.

(Thank god I didn't take O2 up on their 'generous' upgrade offer when the 3GS was launched, and bought a PAYG 3GS).

 

[lostinspace2011]

Vodafone joining

TheRegister is reporting that vodafone will be offering the iPhone in the UK as well from next year onward http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/29/vodafone_iphone/

I am hoping that O2 will offer unlock codes for existing customers.

 

[rashdown_online]

iPhone on Vodafone too! (From early 2010)...

YEAH!!!

"Vodafone joins the iPhone throng,"
"Cupertino gets another dumb pipe laid to its door"

"Vodafone has confirmed it will be selling Apple’s iPhone in the UK and Ireland from early next year, joining Orange as notches on Jobs’s bedstead."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/29/vodafone_iphone/

 

[Luke Redpath]

I am hoping that O2 will offer unlock codes for existing customers.

It won't be down to O2 if my understanding of how iPhone's are locked is correct.

It all happens during the iTunes activation process, where the IMEI is checked on Apple's servers and then locked to the correct network.

What this does mean, is that Apple could add an option to select your network (from one of the approved networks at least) and then lock it to that network during activation.

 

[iSimon]

My understanding is that it is down to the operator as to whether they offer unlock or not (if you look at the Apple website you will see that across the world some do but most don't). If they do offer it then when you request it the next time you link up to iTunes you get a carrier update file (or similar) which contains the official unlock code - once that is done your iPhone is permanently unlocked.

The iTunes activation process that follows initial setup, upgrade or restore doesn't affect the carrier lock/unlock as far as I know.