AT&T refuses to unlock my 2 year old iPhone 3GS

[cczekster]

I've had an iPhone 3GS for 2 years in a contract with AT&T. I recently upgraded to a 4GS, and had absolutely NO complaints about the service provided by AT&T.... UNTIL TODAY.

I am trying to unlock my old 3GS to use with a SIM card from another carrier, after the end of the 2 year contract I thought that the phone belonged to me and I could do whatever I wanted with it... how naive of me. It makes no sense to me that I have a phone, for which I fulfilled my part of the contract, and it's completely useless. After the end of the 2 year contract, the unlock process should be compulsory and automatic, conducted BY YOU.

AT&T: SHAME ON YOU!

I'll make sure to tell everyone I know how absurd this rule is, and that you show no value for good, contract fulfilling clients.

This is an embarrassment for you, I should not be obligated to stop using a perfectly working iPhone just because you don't want me to. Also, I see no point in trying to scare customers so they won't try to jailbreak their phones. My iPhone 3GS is dead and useless, I might as well try something.

Please solve this issue or lose a client (and probably many others).

Clarissa.

[tilteddan13]

This is a customer forum and has been discussed at nauseum. If you would have researched the forums you would have seen this. If you want an unlocked phone buy one from Apple.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

It has never been AT&T's policy to unlock their customers iPhones. If you absolutely need to have your iPhone unlocked I would search out some third party unlocking solutions. 

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Warrior]

The phone is yours to do with as you please. AT&T, however, is under no obligation to facilitate you unlocking the phone. Until there's a law or a mandate from the FCC, I'm not sure I expect this policy to change.

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cczekster wrote:

I've had an iPhone 3GS for 2 years in a contract with AT&T. I recently upgraded to a 4GS, and had absolutely NO complaints about the service provided by AT&T.... UNTIL TODAY.

I am trying to unlock my old 3GS to use with a SIM card from another carrier, after the end of the 2 year contract I thought that the phone belonged to me and I could do whatever I wanted with it... how naive of me. It makes no sense to me that I have a phone, for which I fulfilled my part of the contract, and it's completely useless. After the end of the 2 year contract, the unlock process should be compulsory and automatic, conducted BY YOU.

AT&T: SHAME ON YOU!

I'll make sure to tell everyone I know how absurd this rule is, and that you show no value for good, contract fulfilling clients.

This is an embarrassment for you, I should not be obligated to stop using a perfectly working iPhone just because you don't want me to. Also, I see no point in trying to scare customers so they won't try to jailbreak their phones. My iPhone 3GS is dead and useless, I might as well try something.

Please solve this issue or lose a client (and probably many others).

Clarissa.

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[dwill05]

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cczekster wrote:

I've had an iPhone 3GS for 2 years in a contract with AT&T. I recently upgraded to a 4GS, and had absolutely NO complaints about the service provided by AT&T.... UNTIL TODAY.

I am trying to unlock my old 3GS to use with a SIM card from another carrier, after the end of the 2 year contract I thought that the phone belonged to me and I could do whatever I wanted with it... how naive of me. It makes no sense to me that I have a phone, for which I fulfilled my part of the contract, and it's completely useless. After the end of the 2 year contract, the unlock process should be compulsory and automatic, conducted BY YOU.

AT&T: SHAME ON YOU!

I'll make sure to tell everyone I know how absurd this rule is, and that you show no value for good, contract fulfilling clients.

This is an embarrassment for you, I should not be obligated to stop using a perfectly working iPhone just because you don't want me to. Also, I see no point in trying to scare customers so they won't try to jailbreak their phones. My iPhone 3GS is dead and useless, I might as well try something.

Please solve this issue or lose a client (and probably many others).

Clarissa.

---

It's been like this forever.  They are 4-year old original iPhones that are still locked to AT&T.  Threatening to leave or telling all of your friends won't get your phone unlocked.  It hasn't worked for anyone for the past  4 years.

[the gryphon]

Yep. My advice: Don't buy any more phones from AT&T. I just sold my 4S and won't be buying another phone, nor sigining another contract with AT&T until they change this policy.

PS: While it's been discussed, it's clearly STILL an issue. And, for one, dont mind that you brought it up.  

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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the gryphon wrote:

Yep. My advice: Don't buy any more phones from AT&T. I just sold my 4S and won't be buying another phone, nor sigining another contract with AT&T until they change this policy.

PS: While it's been discussed, it's clearly STILL an issue. And, for one, dont mind that you brought it up.  

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With large carriers like Sprint and Verizon unlocking their customers iPhones after a short period of service with them I don't think it will be much longer before AT&T changes their view and does the same..... I could be wrong, though...

[the gryphon]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:

Yep. My advice: Don't buy any more phones from AT&T. I just sold my 4S and won't be buying another phone, nor sigining another contract with AT&T until they change this policy.

PS: While it's been discussed, it's clearly STILL an issue. And, for one, dont mind that you brought it up.  

---

With large carriers like Sprint and Verizon unlocking their customers iPhones after a short period of service with them I don't think it will be much longer before AT&T changes their view and does the same..... I could be wrong, though...

---

One would hope. Thanks for saying something hopeful. Most threads on this subject are pretty negative.  But yeah, I have a 2year contract. If they don't in that time, or when the next iphone launches, I'll move on. I'd rather (on principle) pay an ETF and buy verizon iphones for myself and my husband, than continue with AT&T with this policy.

[dwill05]

I look at the fact that AT&T hasn't unlocked an iPhone ever, that's been well known, and before and even after Sprint and Verizon announced they were going to unlock the GSM side, AT&T STILL sold a lot of phones. People are still buying without any indication that AT&T will ever unlock an iPhone in the future. Until the buying actually stops, and that's actual people beating feet in massive quantities, not just hoping it will happen, AT&T may not have much incentive to change. They've survived losing their exclusivity which many predicted would be be the end of AT&T and force them to change. They've also survived Apple selling factory unlocked phones. We'll see, but predictions of AT&T having to change their policy haven't always come true.

[the gryphon]

Yep. You're right dwlll05. And so, I'll hedge my bets and say they won't and wait for an iPhone 5 (or whatver comes next) on verizon. WHen that day comes, I'll sell my husband's iPhone 4, and my soon-to-be-purchased unlocked iPhone 4s, pay the ETF and move on.  I was with tmobile from the voicestream days. I tend to stay with one company. But in this case, I predict we'll be moving to verizon (where my husband USED to be).

[21stNow]

I agree, dwill.  Also, when VZW unlocked the GSM side, it was only for use overseas and not here in the US.  I know that that's what many people want it for, but it still is not a full GSM unlock.

[the gryphon]

Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

[WhiteTiger686]

If enough people do absolutley nothing about this, take a guess at what will happen? If more people would write AT&T demanding they unlock out of contract property, they will...

[the gryphon]

I wrote when I had a 3GS.I wrote about my 4.

[auxiliary]

I have had at&t unlock a few phones for me in the past, until i called to unlock a Bold phone. They said no because it was marked as exclusive. I forgot what model it was 9000? At&t was the only one selling it, so that goes for the iphone too. Things might change with the 4S.

"My iPhone 3GS is dead and useless"? Just as good as a $200 itouch. I just sold my 3GS on ebay for $215 today matter of fact.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

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Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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WhiteTiger686 wrote:

If enough people do absolutley nothing about this, take a guess at what will happen? If more people would write AT&T demanding they unlock out of contract property, they will...

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I disagree. Do you know the amount of complaints and how many customers switched carriers when AT&T removed the unlimited data plan? Too many. And yet, the unlimited data plan still hasn't been brought back.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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WhiteTiger686 wrote:

If enough people do absolutley nothing about this, take a guess at what will happen? If more people would write AT&T demanding they unlock out of contract property, they will...

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I disagree. Do you know the amount of complaints and how many customers switched carriers when AT&T removed the unlimited data plan? Too many. And yet, the unlimited data plan still hasn't been brought back.

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Some how I doubt that the number of people leaving was very many, according to recent reports ATT still is maintining about a 1.28 percent churn rate (down from 1.32 form the years 3rd quarter), when carrier average is 3 percent

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=21794&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33126&mapcode=

suspect that they will weather this firestorm also and come out ahead again

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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WhiteTiger686 wrote:

If enough people do absolutley nothing about this, take a guess at what will happen? If more people would write AT&T demanding they unlock out of contract property, they will...

---

I disagree. Do you know the amount of complaints and how many customers switched carriers when AT&T removed the unlimited data plan? Too many. And yet, the unlimited data plan still hasn't been brought back.

---

Some how I doubt that the number of people leaving was very many, according to recent reports ATT still is maintining about a 1.28 percent churn rate (down from 1.32 form the years 3rd quarter), when carrier average is 3 percent

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=21794&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33126&mapcode=

suspect that they will weather this firestorm also and come out ahead again

---

I don't really care about AT&T's or Verizon's numbers, my point was that even though people left  for another carrier, the unlimited data plan still didn't come back.

[Max69 ACE - Wizard]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

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Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

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I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

[Max69 ACE - Wizard]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

---

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

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I don't know about the future, but from the Apple web site;

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

---

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

---

I don't know about the future, but from the Apple web site;

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

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This is only referring to the GSM side of the Sprint/Verizon 4S not working on AT&T or T-Mobile here in the US, they are still going to sell a SIM unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S so customers can use their devices overseas with another carrier SIM card. 

[the gryphon]

If you are a verizon/sprint customer who wants and UNLOCKED phone for international use, chances are you WANT the GSM portion unlocked. CDMA is pretty much an American phenomenon. So yeah, it's unlocked. It lets you use it abroad. 

Folks seem to think everyone wants to unlock to use their phone on the only somewhat compatible (at best) tmobile. 

Most of the folks complaining here want unlocked phones because we travel, and or reside abroad for chunks of time. I just spent 6 weeks in Euope. I took my unlocked iphone 3GS and spent $20 dollars for data/voice.

Based on past experience, 6 weeks would have cost around $700.00 if I roamed on AT&T.  

[21stNow]

All of the Sprint and VZW iPhones 4S will have the ability to be unlocked for overseas GSM use.  They don't have to wait on an unlocked version.  Some VZW customers have already gotten their contract-purchased iPhones 4S unlocked by VZW and can verify that it doesn't work with AT&T or T-Mobile.

The only model sold as unlocked will be the GSM only version.

[Max69 ACE - Wizard]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

---

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

---

I don't know about the future, but from the Apple web site;

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

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This is only referring to the GSM side of the Sprint/Verizon 4S not working on AT&T or T-Mobile here in the US, they are still going to sell a SIM unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S so customers can use their devices overseas with another carrier SIM card. 

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What part of The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint are you not seeing? This was taken directly from the iPhone sales page when you click the "Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November." link then the "Learn more about the unlocked iPhone" link. Check it for yourself.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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21stNow wrote:

All of the Sprint and VZW iPhones 4S will have the ability to be unlocked for overseas GSM use.  They don't have to wait on an unlocked version.  Some VZW customers have already gotten their contract-purchased iPhones 4S unlocked by VZW and can verify that it doesn't work with AT&T or T-Mobile.

The only model sold as unlocked will be the GSM only version.

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If they are purchasing it from Verizon they do have to wait as Verizon will only unlock their 4S after 60 days of service. Sprint sells theirs unlocked. 

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

---

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

---

I don't know about the future, but from the Apple web site;

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

---

This is only referring to the GSM side of the Sprint/Verizon 4S not working on AT&T or T-Mobile here in the US, they are still going to sell a SIM unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S so customers can use their devices overseas with another carrier SIM card. 

---

What part of The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint are you not seeing? This was taken directly from the iPhone sales page when you click the "Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November." link then the "Learn more about the unlocked iPhone" link. Check it for yourself.

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First of all if you are going to be rude you need not respond to my posts. Since you are the one having difficulty understanding my posts I'll explain ONE more time only. Verizon and Sprint BOTH support GSM and CDMA, the GSM side of their 4S is what is unlocked. The GSM side of their 4S doesn't work here in the US. As far as the Verizon iPhone 4 goes, it doesn't matter as there was never a SIM supported iP4 anyway. 

[Max69 ACE - Wizard]

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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Max69 wrote:

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Irish Rose wrote:

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the gryphon wrote:
Yep. unless you buy at the full unsubsidized price, verizon phones don't work on ATT or Tmo. And right, we want it for international use.

---

Unfortunately, even if you buy a unlocked Verizon/Sprint or AT&T iPhone 4S at the full retail price from Apple, the Verizon/Sprint 4S won't work on AT&T and AT&T's 4S wouldn't work on Verizon/Sprint here in the US anyway. The unlocked 4S is only good on another network overseas.

---

Just a quick note, there is no unlocked Verizon/Sprint version of the 4S being sold. It is GSM only.

---

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that  Apple was going to start  selling unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S's as well for use overseas. 

---

I don't know about the future, but from the Apple web site;

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

---

This is only referring to the GSM side of the Sprint/Verizon 4S not working on AT&T or T-Mobile here in the US, they are still going to sell a SIM unlocked Sprint/Verizon 4S so customers can use their devices overseas with another carrier SIM card. 

---

What part of The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint are you not seeing? This was taken directly from the iPhone sales page when you click the "Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November." link then the "Learn more about the unlocked iPhone" link. Check it for yourself.

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First of all if you are going to be rude you need not respond to my posts. Since you are the one having difficulty understanding my posts I'll explain ONE more time only. Verizon and Sprint BOTH support GSM and CDMA, the GSM side of their 4S is what is unlocked. The GSM side of their 4S doesn't work here in the US. As far as the Verizon iPhone 4 goes, it doesn't matter as there was never a SIM supported iP4 anyway. 

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Ok, I appologize for being rude, but I was only responding to your statement that Apple would be selling unlocked Verizon/Sprint phones. I'm done now, and will make no further comments on the subject. Have a nice day.

[Irish Rose ACE - Guru]

Thank you, Max. You have a nice day as well.