AT&T Will Unlock Phones, iPhones Need Not Apply

Because deciding you don't want a contract and actually paying the ETF to get out of it means that iPhone you have isn't really yours to use elsewhere. I mean, heaven forbid you actually, maybe, want to have it unlocked so you can use it in the UK instead of a US carrier that isn't on the Apple approved network list.

If you complete the contract (one way or another....via service time or ETF or whatever), the hardware should be yours to do with as you see fit. If that means you want it unlocked, there should be absolutely NOTHING a carrier can do to prevent that.

true. unlock is a right. not a privilege

I think you have that reversed. There's nothing anywhere that states if you request it, the provider *has* to give an unlock code.

Therefore...It's a privilege, not a right. A right has something stating it must be so.

iphones can be unlocked, why wait for the carrier and do it yourself.

Most people do not know how to unlock their phones let alone what unlocking a phone means.

I have an unlock button at the top of my iPhone... 🤣

correct!! 😁

I think it's Apple.

AT&T gives money to Apple for each iPhone account on the line, which subsidizes future software upgrades for the iPhone for the duration of the contract.

What Apple should do is charge a $10.00 fee for each software upgrade on unlocked handsets ala iPod Touch. (People would still complain but there you go.)

bluecoyote said:
iPhone handsets are locked to AT&T because Apple takes a cut of subscriber revenue (directly per-account) for future software upgrades.

As far as I know, nobody else has anything resembling that arrangement.

How very controlling of Apple.

Right, maybe you've missed it but consistency is one of Apple's selling points for consumers and developers.

bluecoyote said:
Right, maybe you've missed it but consistency is one of Apple's selling points for consumers and developers.

You've got a point. iTunes IS consistently crappy.