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using iPhone in different countries (Europe)

Tex-Twil

Tex-Twil

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 28, 2008
2,501
15
Berlin
Hello,
I'm thinking about getting myself an iPhone (when the new one is released ;) ) but there is one thing that bothers me a lot: the service provider conditions. I live in Berlin and the only iPhone provider here is T-Mobile. If you sign up for a iPhone contract, you have to sign up for 24 months.

The thing is that I'm not German and I'm not sure how long I will stay in Germany. If I move to another country, the iPhone becomes useless because
- it is SIMlocked to TMobile
- if I use the german provider abroad it costs a lot (especially internet access)
- I can't cancel the contract before 2 years

I know that this is more related to service providers than to the iPhone/Apple itself but I'd like to know if someone is in the same situation and what would be your advices.

Thanks ;)

Tex
 
Personally I would probably buy one unlocked from Italy or similar... THat way you are free to use whatever SIM you liked!
 
philstone said:
Personally I would probably buy one unlocked from Italy or similar... THat way you are free to use whatever SIM you liked!
Click to expand...

But then the problem is that I cannot buy an iPhone service only. You have to buy an iPhone with your subscription. + subscription phones are usually much more expensive. Is it possible to unsimlock and iPhone ?
 
I live in Germany (I'm not German) and just bought my unlocked 16GB iPhone from Italy, 569e. Just perfect, put my company SIM in and voila!

Not cheapest, but hey .. it works perfectly and I can use whatever SIM I like where ever I go.

Cheers,
ervert
 
ervert said:
I live in Germany (I'm not German) and just bought my unlocked 16GB iPhone from Italy, 569e. Just perfect, put my company SIM in and voila!

Not cheapest, but hey .. it works perfectly and I can use whatever SIM I like where ever I go.

Cheers,
ervert
Click to expand...
Which kind of phone subscription do you have ? I think that an iPhone without a flatrate internet access is not really an iPhone.
 
ervert said:
I'm lucky to have a company SIM with free calls & data for me.
Ervert
Click to expand...
ok, so any contract with a flatrate 3G+ (HSDPA) will work ? >500€ is a bit expensive though :)

Would you mind telling me which provider do you have ?

How about unsimlocking an iPhone ? is that technically possible ?
 
iPhone Savvy said:
Yes it DID work. However, with 2.2.1 firmware, the baseband has been updated so as yellowSn0w has been deactivated. Hopefully the dev team can reunlock it in 3.0 firmware.
Click to expand...
ok. so if I had an iPhone I could use stick with the 2.2 firmware to unsimlock it.
 
If you really want an iPhone that badly and don't want to sign a contract then buy an unlocked one. They can be found in many countries from Hong Kong to Australia.

If you know anyone in these countries have them check out prices for you, or check ebay.

Luckily for me my provider unlocked my iPhone for me. Free markets are the best.
 
iPhone Savvy said:
I wanted to correct myself and post this guide:

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=3583

Apparently there is a feasible way to downgrade a base band.
Click to expand...

ok thanks !

onlycopunk said:
If you really want an iPhone that badly and don't want to sign a contract then buy an unlocked one. They can be found in many countries from Hong Kong to Australia.
Click to expand...
Well, if it is possible to unlock then, I'll opt for the "contract way" since it is cheaper and there is also guarantee.

Anyway, we'll see how the things are with the new iPhone.

Thanks,
Tex
 
There is an official way to unlock as I have done it. It just depends if your carrier will unlock the phone for you. Best to ask before getting into a contract.

The mobile carriers here also sell unlocked iphones for prepay for a flatrate, not the cheapest, but easiest way to get one without any obligations.
 
Tex-Twil said:
Well, if it is possible to unlock then, I'll opt for the "contract way" since it is cheaper and there is also guarantee.
Click to expand...

If you go the contract way do remember that you are signing a 24 month contract. If you leave Germany permanently then you'll still be stuck paying the monthly fee until end of contract. (Not sure what kind of early term deal T-Mob have in place over there, so you may be able to get out of it, I guess...)
 
If you buy an unlocked one, does visual voicemail work?

Actually thinking about it, does visual voicemail work in all countries anyway?
 
NightGeometry said:
If you go the contract way do remember that you are signing a 24 month contract. If you leave Germany permanently then you'll still be stuck paying the monthly fee until end of contract. (Not sure what kind of early term deal T-Mob have in place over there, so you may be able to get out of it, I guess...)
Click to expand...
Yeah I know that sucks. I hope that if I move to another country, I can cancel my contract even when I'm in the "engagement" period. This is the case with my ISP. I'll ask T Mobile.

cheers,
Tex
 
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