iPhone 3G Jailbroken and Unlocked!

[bobolito]

I wonder what took so long?

http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/ap...tml#post514109 (iPhone 3G Jailbroken and Unlocked!)

[walkguru]

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.1.11328/542; U; en))

i knew it would happen. but that was pretty fast.

[WumpusVA]

Can we get these two threads merged? Just a thought...

[Simon5282]

I really don't think Apple cares anymore about unlocking. They get the same amount of money weather a phone is used on ATT or not whereas (just as we all know) before they got a cut of the monthly fees.

I wonder how long before Apples starts to sell an unlocked, unbranded version. I give it two years.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Simon5282

I really don't think Apple cares anymore about unlocking. They get the same amount of money weather a phone is used on ATT or not whereas (just as we all know) before they got a cut of the monthly fees.

I wonder how long before Apples starts to sell an unlocked, unbranded version. I give it two years.

I would guess 4 years. I think AT&T has a 5 year exclusivity contract which would imply no unlocked phones.

[bobolito]

yeah, as long as AT&T has the exclusivity agreement with Apple, they cannot sell it unlocked.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by spleck

I would guess 4 years. I think AT&T has a 5 year exclusivity contract which would imply no unlocked phones.

5 years... I guess that pretty much kills the idea of a CDMA model. By the time Apple can sell to CDMA carriers, most of them will have started building their LTE networks.

-Jay

[spleck]

It's a shame that as much as Apple gets their own way, they went with a 5 year contract (if the rumors are true, since I haven't seen an actual acknowledgement of that). It's funny when VZW reps tell me that they'll be getting the iPhone soon too. I don't usually use soon to mean at least 4 years.

Edit: http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/s...dma/2007-05-23

[Simon5282]

Originally Posted by bobolito

yeah, as long as AT&T has the exclusivity agreement with Apple, they cannot sell it unlocked.

Money talks!

Also, they could just sell it unlocked via another country, and "leak" the loophole to third party sites. Not that it takes rocket science to figure that one out.

I know they do want to discourage jailbreaking the phone, so this would be an easy way to reduce demand for jailbreaking phones, at least for those who just want an unlocked iPhone.

When it comes down to it, the consumers have a more powerful influence than anybody else. They control the money . Just look at the recent changes in contract practices.

[Eric47]

honestly whats the point for someone in the US to unlockk it? it wouldnt do any good on any other networks domestically. yea maybe in europe but you can buy it there... i guess its just something people do just to do.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Eric47

honestly whats the point for someone in the US to unlockk it? it wouldnt do any good on any other networks domestically. yea maybe in europe but you can buy it there... i guess its just something people do just to do.

Well TMO is starting their 3G network in very limited markets. Right now though AT&T really is the only carrier with a network to support it.
It will work on TMO's GSM network, but what's the point? You might as well just buy the older model. I wonder how many are being dumped on Ebay right now because people upgraded to the 3G model?

-Jay

[treotosh]

Two bad nobody can find or download the unlocking software for 3 more weeks.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

It will work on TMO's GSM network, but what's the point? You might as well just buy the older model. I wonder how many are being dumped on Ebay right now because people upgraded to the 3G model?

I'm using a 3G iPhone in a 2G area. There wouldn't be much difference with going to T-Mobile, but data is only $20 and you can get a low minute plan for $30 (save $20/month) or get myFaves. A lot of places have wi-fi and many people are willing to accept that. THAT is the market for unlocked iPhones. There are also other small carriers out there, probably serving areas with no AT&T service. There's a LOT more to the iPhone than 3G data.

Original iPhones are still going for ridiculous prices on eBay. You can pay $199 (iPhone) + $70 (1 month service) + $175 (ETF) and have a brand new iPhone, or you can get shafted on eBay for $500 for an original iPhone and buyer beware the whole time.

The main reason I bought my iPhone was for the Contacts and a better way to check football scores when I'm at a game on Saturdays. I'll use everything else and I wish I had 3G, but its not an issue at the moment. I will get to see 3G while I drive through Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Nashville, with a few visits to Knoxville!

[bobolito]

Another reason for someone to unlock the iPhone in the US is if you travel outside the US, you can put in foreign SIMs. Let's not forget that's the original reason many AT&T or T-Mobile users unlock their phones.

Originally Posted by Simon5282

....
I know they do want to discourage jailbreaking the phone, so this would be an easy way to reduce demand for jailbreaking phones, at least for those who just want an unlocked iPhone.

There will always be demand for Jailbreaking the iPhone no matter what they do. Jailbreaking and unlocking are two different things. There are plenty of unofficial apps that are very good and you can only use them on a Jailbroken iPhone, such as the one that streams Shoutcast. There's no official app that can do that in the app store so if you want that, you need to Jailbreak your iPhone.

[Eric47]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Well TMO is starting their 3G network in very limited markets. Right now though AT&T really is the only carrier with a network to support it.
It will work on TMO's GSM network, but what's the point? You might as well just buy the older model. I wonder how many are being dumped on Ebay right now because people upgraded to the 3G model?

-Jay

it wouldnt be compatible with TMOB's 3G network. theirs will be 1700/2100. i could be off, but im 99.9% sure the phone isnt compatible.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Eric47

it wouldnt be compatible with TMOB's 3G network. theirs will be 1700/2100. i could be off, but im 99.9% sure the phone isnt compatible.

You are correct--the iPhone has UMTS support on 850/1900/2100, but not 1700 AWS.

Its still possible that T-Mobile could decide to use 1900 for 3G in some areas, despite their publicly stated plans to use 1700 AWS for 3G (its a long shot). NYC capacity issues actually necessitated 1700 AWS. Once T-Mobile starts selling 3G service, they would really benefit from offering a single channel of 1900 UMTS where they have the spectrum. Even if it was speed limited, they could make a lot of people happy.

[RadioFoneGuy]

Originally Posted by spleck

You are correct--the iPhone has UMTS support on 850/1900/2100, but not 1700 AWS.

Its still possible that T-Mobile could decide to use 1900 for 3G in some areas, despite their publicly stated plans to use 1700 AWS for 3G (its a long shot). NYC capacity issues actually necessitated 1700 AWS. Once T-Mobile starts selling 3G service, they would really benefit from offering a single channel of 1900 UMTS where they have the spectrum. Even if it was speed limited, they could make a lot of people happy.

IM sure Tmobile will follow the what most carriers do when changing technology. As more customers are migrated from GSM to UMTs it will clear Spectrum and they will dual band towers.

[RadioFoneGuy]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Well TMO is starting their 3G network in very limited markets. Right now though AT&T really is the only carrier with a network to support it.
It will work on TMO's GSM network, but what's the point? You might as well just buy the older model. I wonder how many are being dumped on Ebay right now because people upgraded to the 3G model?

-Jay

I looked on for the original iphone and its a joke, even refurbed (used) iphones were going $500 for unlocked versions. I can get a HTC 8525 or Tilt with a modified ROM and so much more.
It goes to show its all about the hype.

[bobolito]

T-Mobile will definitely have 1900 UMTS at some point. Once they get everyone off GSM in a few years, what do you think they'll do with that spectrum?