O2 UK to Start Unlocking iPhones Nov. 10. Rogers Canada — Not.
Making good on their promise from a few days ago, O2 UK has launched a website where customers can get their iPhone’s officially unlocked starting November 10, 2009. Here are the details:
- Pay Monthly customers can get the unlock any time, but you have to keep paying O2 for the length of your remaining service contract.
- Pay Go customers can get the unlock after 12 months, for a one-time £15 fee (deducted from airtime balance).
To begin the process, customers need to complete the online form (via the link above). The process will take up to 14 days, but customers will get an SMS confirmation when it’s completed, and they can then place a non-O2 SIM in their iPhones, hook up to iTunes, and finish the unlock.
Curious as to whether the other major new iPhone multi-carrier market would be following suit, TiPb contacted Rogers and received the following reply:
Rogers policies haven’t changed in this regard.
One step forward, one step back. Hopefully Rogers will reconsider and take a page from O2’s consumer-friendly approach.
Meanwhile, if you go for the new O2 unlock, let us know how the process works out for you!
[Via Chris Oldroyd]
November 10th, 2009 at 11:38 am
1st……haha
November 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Submitted my request about one minute ago, will keep you guys informed.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Nice signal bars you got there.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:47 am
While Rogers says no change right now – that could be because we are still under 3 year contracts. While it would be nice if Rogers did allow us to unlock the phones as long as we pay off the remainder of our contract, they really don’t want people jumping ship. But once July 2011 comes around, I don’t see why they wouldn’t unlock them. Even if Rogers doesn’t, I would think Apple would. I don’t think Apple would force you to buy a new phone if you want to jump to a new carrier in Canada when your contract is up with another one. However the unlock may be that it unlocks the phone to accept the new SIM but is then locked to that carrier from that point on.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
O2 isn’t do this out of the goodness of their heart. They have no option under OFCOM (UK regulator for telecoms) legislation in the UK. All UK phones (that are not under exclusive distribution) have to be unlocked if the customer so requests. The 12 month stipulation on Pay & Go is again standard across all brands, if the phone is not under exclusive distribution. Don’t expect any carrier anywhere to follow that lead if the law of the land doesn’t require it.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@Jack Dodson That’s what I’m thinking. Roger, Bell or Telus here in Canada don’t have to do it. But the Apple stores here in Canada apparently sell unlocked phones because we have 3 carriers — and then when you put your Bell or Telus or Rogers SIM card in, it locks to that carrier. So I can’t see why after Canadians finish their 3 year contracts, Apple couldn’t unlock the phone so you could switch carriers if you wanted. Then when you put the new SIM in, it becomes locked again to the new carrier.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I for one would move to any provider in Canada that offered this service. I think it is ridiculous that we can’t buy an unlocked phone from any of our carriers.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Bell mobility has stated they will be unlocking phones on the new HSPA network .. I was told at a bell store they would unlock the iPhone for a $75 fee
November 13th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
@Jack Dodson: Not true. O2 are allowing customers to unlock their iPhone for free and without requiring a minimum term or waiting until the end of the customer’s contract term. They are not forced to do this by Ofcom.
Read the following page: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/mobile/switching/switch/ This explains that “Usually, mobile service providers require a minimum contract or service period to expire before they unlock your phone. Most service providers charge a fee for this service.” So what O2 are doing is voluntary – they are under no legal or regulatory obligation to provide unlocking, either free or chargeable, during the contract term.