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AT&T Will Unlock Phones, iPhones Need Not Apply

May 24, 2010, 7:48 PM by Philip Berne

To settle a class action lawsuit, AT&T has agreed to provide unlock codes for all of its phones, with some notable exceptions. First, a customer must complete 90 days of active service. Second, a customer must have a proof of purchase for the phone. Third, if AT&T has an exclusive hold on the phone for less than 10 months, customers have to wait until that 10 month period expires. This also means that if AT&T has a longer exclusive period, the carrier will never provide an unlock code. Presumably, the only handset family to which this caveat applies is the iPhone, so iPhone owners will not be able to port their handsets to another carrier, such as T-Mobile.

Consumerist »

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

bluecoyote

May 24, 2010, 9:35 PM

Why iPhones are not part of the deal

AT&T service plans cover the cost of software upgrades on the handset.

I'm not justifying it- but that's why.

kevinski

Yeah, because Apple isn't making enough of a killing on all of its hardware to fund software upgrades. 🙄

...

muchdrama

bluecoyote said:
AT&T service plans cover the cost of software upgrades on the handset.

I'm not justifying it- but that's why.

It's ludicrous. Apple shouldn't be exempt.

...

Showtime_III

May 24, 2010, 10:46 PM

one word; Blackra1n

that is all

randy420

that is all

...

gringo.mexican112

May 25, 2010, 2:53 PM

finally...

after a lawsuit?
I thought a company like AT&T would never loose... haha well now I know they do so I think I'm going to sue 🤣 there is a change of winning!!

gringo.mexican112

🤭 i did not read properly

TDBearCT

May 25, 2010, 7:49 AM

Purchase Unlocked Non-Subsidized Phone

Personally, I would prefer to have the option to purchase an unlocked phone with no subsidy (full retail price) and purchase service with no commitment.

As much as people complain about T-Mobile, I think they have the right idea-- have subsidized packages and unsubsidized packages with lower costs.

Here's to hoping that Apple announces that they the iPhone 4G will be sold unlocked / unsubsidized, even if it is through AT&T.

Jim

Slammer

I support this as well. But as with any idea of this kind, Price is a motivating factor. At 600-700 dollar devices, I find this very high in comparison to manufacturing costs. Disassemble a computer and phone. Place them side by side. The computer con...
(continues)

...

retrocool

May 25, 2010, 11:47 AM

Now if only all the CDMA carriers will jump on this bandwagon

Then the market can be like it should be. Free.

Kayslay34

Go to metro or cricket, they take all Cdma phones, if they are able to flash them.

Slammer

May 25, 2010, 7:22 AM

Clarification Please...

If terms of the lawsuit forced ATT to unlock their devices, why are some of the specified NOT required? Exclusive or not, if the contract is done, an individuals obligation has been met and they should be able to have the same benefit.

veedubbmann

I would assume because AT&T doesn't own the iPhone. Even if they wanted to, they probably couldn't. Nowhere on the iPhone do you see an AT&T logo like you do on all their other devices. They simply have a contract with Apple to be the exclusive selle...
(continues)

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