Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone
British carrier O2 to unlock out-of-contract iPhones
In an interview with Times Online, Matthew Key, head of O2, shared his company's plans to allow users of out-of-contract iPhones to switch to other providers:"Once the iPhone becomes available on other UK networks, we will allow O2 customers to unlock their iPhones, although of course they will still need to honour any outstanding contract period they have. At the end of their contract period, they are entirely free to move to another operator...."
Of course, this hinges on other carries -- namely Vodafone and Orange -- ending O2's exclusivity. Both Vodafone and Orange are scheduled to start selling the iPhone next year. O2 first announced UK pricing in June of this year.
That's good news for users in Britain and makes me wish the same were true in the US. While I love my iPhone, AT&T often ruins the experience with dropped calls and "fewer bars in more places." The thing is flawless on Wi-Fi; hit-or-miss via 3G. A part of that is likely due to my location (my neighborhood makes that town in Deliverance resemble Gotham), but I'm certainly not the only one complaining about coverage.
[Via Wired]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cy Starkman said 9:19PM on 11-09-2009
I'm AU based and it's almost all sunshine and flutterbys over here with iPhone and networks.
Visual voicemail is only offered by one carrier. Tethering by two. MMS by all (what was up with that AT&T).
Let's all hope the USA gets multi carrier in '10
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Martin said 9:27PM on 11-09-2009
I have no complaints about AT&T's service, and I only say this to somewhat counterbalance all the bitching people do about them. It's not a bad experience for everyone. :)
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kindakrazy said 10:04PM on 11-09-2009
But will they unlock iPhones once the 2 year contract is up? So far, from published reports, both Apple and AT&T are refusing to unlock original iPhones (which have gone through the 2 year contract period).
There have even been reports that AT&T is requiring people who buy original iPhones off eBay or wherever to sign 2 year contracts to use them...
Secrecy said 9:33PM on 11-09-2009
I would prefer o2 over orange anytime.
Pricing for the 3GS is very similar for both operators with the exception of orange's 24 month contract giving a slight age.
I agree that orange has the widest 3g data coverage in the UK but o2 stands out for unlimited web usage (excessive usage policy) and unlimited wifi compared to orange's version of unlimited internet (750mb a month).
Does this apply to PAYG o2 iPhones?
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SIP said 9:42PM on 11-09-2009
I have a 3GS 32GB on PAYG and called O2 on 0844 875 2302 (then select options 1 + 5 + 2).
The person I spoke to couldn't give me any details, especially any penalties but I did point out that I paid full price for the handset.
He advised me to visit www.o2.co.uk and search for "unlock my iphone" on Tuesday, when Orange introduces its service. So I'll check in the morning.
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cg0def said 10:57PM on 11-09-2009
You didn't pay the full price even for the pay as you go option. O2 subsidizes the phone a little and they add the free internet option as long as you top up at least £10 per month. Oh and btw o2 has never had a truly unlimited internet usage plan. It is only called unlimited but in fact it does have a limit. A fair usage policy applies and in this case it is something like 3gb per month. Also you are not allowed to tether and if you want to do so here is an additional £9 charge ( could be 10 though ). So it's mostly smoke and mirrors on both orange and o2. Maybe vodafone will be different but will see next year. If nothing else they should have a free iphone with plans over £35 which is way better than both o2 and orange.
Anyway this payg 12 month period totally sucks. At least the blacksn0w unlock works for now but it is quirky at times.
SIP said 11:51AM on 11-10-2009
See my later post (below) -- I have to wait out twelve months and pay £15 if I want an official unlock. In the meantime, the beauty of O2 is that I have no signal anywhere in my house.
The plan I was put on for free calls to landlines or other O2 subscribers is tied to my postcode. If I stand in the middle of my street, I get maybe 2 bar-signal, but when I call home (front door 5m away) I get told I am going to be charged for the call.
So, I jailbroke & unlocked my iPhone and use my Orange monthly SIM instead, and only use the O2 internet bit when I am away from home. I only ever topped up £10 when I bought the phone -- I'm not going to pay for service I don't get.
SIP said 10:10PM on 11-09-2009
Pay Monthly unlock free, but have to honour remainder of contract.
PAYG unlock £15 at the end of the 12 month period.
Macworld UK has details here:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipod-itunes/news/index.cfm?newsid=27684
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Matt said 3:29AM on 11-10-2009
"Both Vodafone and Orange are scheduled to start selling the iPhone next year."
Scroll down to 'Related Articles From The Unofficial Apple Weblog'...
"Orange to start UK iPhone sales on November 10"
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Paul Dunlop said 4:07AM on 11-10-2009
You beat me to it. Orange starts selling iPhones today. Come on guys, just because it's not in the US, couple of seconds research would have confirmed to you the dates for Orange.
Alec Woolf said 4:24AM on 11-10-2009
Just got off the phone to orange and they said they will also unlock the iphone but for £20
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xbit said 4:54AM on 11-10-2009
Here's the all-important link: http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html
I've already requested mine. As soon as my contract is up, I'm ditching O2. Their network in London is a disgrace.
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Marc Jones said 5:30AM on 11-10-2009
What about unlocking 2G phones if you're still using your current 3G (and want to keep that up for now)?
Spent a weekend with awful or zero 3G in various parts of the UK (Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Bermondsey). If Vodafone don't have restricted use (like Orange) I'm off.
My contract runs out soon but I was eligible for a 3Gs in August and O2 haven't even bothered to contact me to "upgrade". I've been on O2 over 5 years. Seems they are taking me for granted...
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Paul said 5:59AM on 11-10-2009
This is a fine example of why I stay with O2. I don't have an iPhone, but if I did it would take a lot of bribery to get me to move from O2.
But why is this kind of thing not more common? Do companies really have so little faith in their services that they forcibly stop you from trying another companies services?
I moved from O2 to T-Mobile. Most uncomfortable 18 months of my life. I'm back on O2 for the foreseeable future.
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Dom said 6:04AM on 11-10-2009
OK, this is slightly inaccurate, in that you do NOT have to be out of contract. You can unlock your iphone at any point.
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David said 6:06AM on 11-10-2009
That's really good that they are unlocking it. Its going to make the bucket load of 18 month iphone 3G's that hit eBay next month alot more appealing. My only question is if o2 are going to charge for this?
I know Orange have offered this service for all their handsets for £35 and lets face it, I doubt o2 are going to miss a trick!
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Dom said 6:22AM on 11-10-2009
No charge.
http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html
Rossmac said 7:57AM on 11-10-2009
Hey,
Just a quick note:
"Britain" refers to the island "Great Britain" which is only the countries England, Scotland and Wales.
The "United Kingdom" refers to the countries England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I.e. where the iPhone is sold by O2 UK :)
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Mr Lizard said 2:24PM on 11-10-2009
"Britain" refers to whatever you want it to, it's not an official name, more a colloquial term.
A lot of us use the term Britain when we are talking about the UK, not just when referring to the island of GB.
;-)
daniel said 12:19PM on 11-11-2009
@Mr Lizzard.
Just because you're using the term incorrectly, doesn't mean that it's accepted. It's very much an "Official Term"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain