Unlocking my iPhone 4S - Does AT&T have any accountability!

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

I am absolutely livid with AT&T over this unlock issue. I have been with AT&T for years (since the bag phones back in the 90's) and I am going to end my contract, make a complaint to the better business bureau and tell as many people as I can to leave AT&T.

I live and work outside of the country in Sub-Saharan Africa (doing humanitarian work) but have continued to keep my AT&T contract and plan primarily for my phone number so once I am back in the US on holiday's friends and family can reach me. I have been receiving unlock codes from AT&T for a while. When I purchased the new iPhone I called AT&T and they supposedly gave me an unlock code for the iPhone. I lost it, called again and they gave me another. So, when I landed in Sierra Leone, and tried to unlock it as explained by support it didn't work. Now mind you from here calling even with the international plan is 2.89/minute. I was on the phone with their tech support for almost 2 hours, being treated quite rudely trying to get some help. And got none.

I am stuck in a third world country with a phone I can't use - I don't see 2.89/minute a viable option - and AT&T says there is nothing they can do. That is a lie, they can do something, they are choosing to do nothing. If there customer support hadn't originally told me that I could unlock the new iPhone (as I have my three previous phones) and given me the supposed codes, I would have returned the phone and purchased the unlocked one before I left the country. Now, I am stuck and don't have the option of going to an AT&T store or returning my phone (a ticket to the US is well over $1500 and wouldn't spend that to return a phone). So, here I am stuck and AT&T has nothing to say except, 'I don't know what to tell you.' Even though their customer service was at fault!

I can't believe they can't do anything, even when their agents were the one's who mis-informed me in the first place. That is the unacceptable part.

I am a customer who feels cheated and abondoned. What is sad is that AT&T actually doesn't seem to care at all.

Angry and Stuck,

T

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Teddy23P wrote:

I am absolutely livid with AT&T over this unlock issue. I have been with AT&T for years (since the bag phones back in the 90's) and I am going to end my contract, make a complaint to the better business bureau and tell as many people as I can to leave AT&T.

I live and work outside of the country in Sub-Saharan Africa (doing humanitarian work) but have continued to keep my AT&T contract and plan primarily for my phone number so once I am back in the US on holiday's friends and family can reach me. I have been receiving unlock codes from AT&T for a while. When I purchased the new iPhone I called AT&T and they supposedly gave me an unlock code for the iPhone. I lost it, called again and they gave me another. So, when I landed in Sierra Leone, and tried to unlock it as explained by support it didn't work. Now mind you from here calling even with the international plan is 2.89/minute. I was on the phone with their tech support for almost 2 hours, being treated quite rudely trying to get some help. And got none.

I am stuck in a third world country with a phone I can't use - I don't see 2.89/minute a viable option - and AT&T says there is nothing they can do. That is a lie, they can do something, they are choosing to do nothing. If there customer support hadn't originally told me that I could unlock the new iPhone (as I have my three previous phones) and given me the supposed codes, I would have returned the phone and purchased the unlocked one before I left the country. Now, I am stuck and don't have the option of going to an AT&T store or returning my phone (a ticket to the US is well over $1500 and wouldn't spend that to return a phone). So, here I am stuck and AT&T has nothing to say except, 'I don't know what to tell you.' Even though their customer service was at fault!

I can't believe they can't do anything, even when their agents were the one's who mis-informed me in the first place. That is the unacceptable part.

I am a customer who feels cheated and abondoned. What is sad is that AT&T actually doesn't seem to care at all.

Angry and Stuck,

T

the policy has been around since the first iphone hit the market, it is documented in their FAQS and in multiply other locations. there is no requirement in the US for any carrier to unlock a phone from their service. If you are within the 30 days take it back, go to apple and purchase a fully unlocked GSM from from apple, you will pay full retail price for it though. A few seconds of google use would completed your due diligence about the status of the availablilty of unlocking a subsidized IPhone. As it stands the policy will not change in the foreseeable future, you can always ebay the current phone and use the proceeds to obtain a fully unlocked phone from Apple USA or pay the etf.

you can leave att at any time, they give you the option, it is just not free. You will be required to pay the ETF that goes along with a subsidized phone, unless you paid for retail for the phone when you obtained it.

coolstorybro · ‎05-03-2011

Teddy23P wrote:
I am absolutely livid with AT&T over this unlock issue. I have been with AT&T for years (since the bag phones back in the 90's) and I am going to end my contract, make a complaint to the better business bureau and tell as many people as I can to leave AT&T.

I live and work outside of the country in Sub-Saharan Africa (doing humanitarian work) but have continued to keep my AT&T contract and plan primarily for my phone number so once I am back in the US on holiday's friends and family can reach me. I have been receiving unlock codes from AT&T for a while. When I purchased the new iPhone I called AT&T and they supposedly gave me an unlock code for the iPhone. I lost it, called again and they gave me another. So, when I landed in Sierra Leone, and tried to unlock it as explained by support it didn't work. Now mind you from here calling even with the international plan is 2.89/minute. I was on the phone with their tech support for almost 2 hours, being treated quite rudely trying to get some help. And got none.

I am stuck in a third world country with a phone I can't use - I don't see 2.89/minute a viable option - and AT&T says there is nothing they can do. That is a lie, they can do something, they are choosing to do nothing. If there customer support hadn't originally told me that I could unlock the new iPhone (as I have my three previous phones) and given me the supposed codes, I would have returned the phone and purchased the unlocked one before I left the country. Now, I am stuck and don't have the option of going to an AT&T store or returning my phone (a ticket to the US is well over $1500 and wouldn't spend that to return a phone). So, here I am stuck and AT&T has nothing to say except, 'I don't know what to tell you.' Even though their customer service was at fault!

I can't believe they can't do anything, even when their agents were the one's who mis-informed me in the first place. That is the unacceptable part.

I am a customer who feels cheated and abondoned. What is sad is that AT&T actually doesn't seem to care at all.

Angry and Stuck,
T

There isn't anything AT&T can do about unlocking an iPhone, which I agree, but they aren't lying because it's a fact.

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB116151#fbid=ozAEYFr9Ikv

"Consistent with the Terms & Conditions you agreed to when you signed up for service, AT&T customers cannot unlock their iPhone to work on another network. Unlike some of our major competitors, AT&T uses GSM technology. iPhones designed to work on AT&T's network will not work on another carrier's network."

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

Wingrider01 - maybe you should have read the post before responding.

As stated I actually talked to AT&T customer service who said that i could unlock and provided me with 2 seperate unlock codes just in case one didn't work. So, that I considered my due diligence. I am an American who now lives and works in a third world country, doing humanitarian work, and my rage comes from the fact that I am now stuck. There is no AT&T store, no Apple store, no reliable mail service. I am using satellite internet because there are no fiber optic cables in the country. So, while you may think it is so easy to just google it or return it - that is not the case for me. So, while it is easy to put all the owness on the purchaser, there does need to be some responsibility when it comes to AT&T giving mis-information.

If I hadn't been told by customer service that the unlock codes they gave me would work - I would have returned the phone and purchased the other version before I left the United States. Paying full price was not and is not an issue. But, now I am on my assignment, can't return or exchange the phone and am stuck with a 64GB iPhone that can only be used as an iPod. I have no option of returning it or I would.

I guess I would expect, a major company like AT&T to be able work with long-term faithful customers when there are extenuating circumstances. They can see by my call history, that I keep paying my bil (for the past 3 years)l but when I am out of the country (11 months a year) I don't even keep my US sim in a phone.

It is sad that they won't even acknowledge that if I they hadn't have shared the wrong information in the first place this wouldn't be an issue.

So, please, next time read the post before your condescending responses.

T

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

Ninja,

Thanks for you response. I now know it is their policy - unfortunately I know too late to help myself because of the misinformation I received. My statement was more about the fact that I know it is there policy, but I am sure if they wantd to help I am sure they could and they are just choosing to not have any flexibility.

I have just never experienced a company being so inflexibility in light of extenuating circumstances and that is the dissapointing part. In addition, to the extremely rude customer service on my last call.

Anyway, thank you for the link.

Best,

Tamika

drumn_bass · ‎08-27-2008

I don't think they were talking about iPhones, either because of how question was asked or because of how they heard it, since iPhone's unlock process (where available, in other countries) doesn't involve any unlock codes. In any case, unfortunately receiving incorrect info from ANY company's employee doesn't obligate those companies to match what was told/promised, that's why they all have their Terms and Conditions in writing, verbal communications don't hold any binding powers.

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.

Facci · ‎11-30-2005

I just find it hard to believe that 2 separate times, 2 separate reps gave you an unlock code. I would say at least thousands of people have probably tried getting the unlock code from Apple and/or AT&T and have failed but it was given to you twice. You can't be mad at AT&T for following their policy. If it were me I would be upset with myself for not doing my due diligence in researching unlocking an iPhone. I'm sorry for your predicament but this is not AT&T's fault.

drumn_bass · ‎08-27-2008

May be a different phone listed on the account or something... In order to get an unlock code cc rep has to enter an IMEI number and generate the code, it they try it with iPhones IMEI there would never be any codes generated, because iPhones don't even use unlock codes.

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Teddy23P wrote:

Wingrider01 - maybe you should have read the post before responding.

As stated I actually talked to AT&T customer service who said that i could unlock and provided me with 2 seperate unlock codes just in case one didn't work. So, that I considered my due diligence. I am an American who now lives and works in a third world country, doing humanitarian work, and my rage comes from the fact that I am now stuck. There is no AT&T store, no Apple store, no reliable mail service. I am using satellite internet because there are no fiber optic cables in the country. So, while you may think it is so easy to just google it or return it - that is not the case for me. So, while it is easy to put all the owness on the purchaser, there does need to be some responsibility when it comes to AT&T giving mis-information.

If I hadn't been told by customer service that the unlock codes they gave me would work - I would have returned the phone and purchased the other version before I left the United States. Paying full price was not and is not an issue. But, now I am on my assignment, can't return or exchange the phone and am stuck with a 64GB iPhone that can only be used as an iPod. I have no option of returning it or I would.

I guess I would expect, a major company like AT&T to be able work with long-term faithful customers when there are extenuating circumstances. They can see by my call history, that I keep paying my bil (for the past 3 years)l but when I am out of the country (11 months a year) I don't even keep my US sim in a phone.

It is sad that they won't even acknowledge that if I they hadn't have shared the wrong information in the first place this wouldn't be an issue.

So, please, next time read the post before your condescending responses.

T

Not condensencing as all, just blunt and to the point. a little research would gave shown that the rep was wrong, everyone is human and everyo makes mistakes. Bottom line a tier 1 support rep has no authority to override a long standing corporate policy.

There are thousands of posts on this forum regarding the unlock policy, that should have told you in advance that the rep was incorrect in their response. Any company will work with customer up until it means going against corproate policy, makeing a single exception opens that gates for the "well you did it for him.her why can;t you do it for me" attitude. So the best path is to stay with the policy no matter what.

Before you play the moldly "well you are a att employee" gambit will state right up front I am not a employee of att nor a fanboi of att, I and a proponent of agreements, standing by a companies policy and contractual agreement, in addition a propent o doing the full due diligence research from corproate and 3rd party research

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=55002&cv=820#fbid=FazFFFyg7aF

iphone unlock.PNG

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

I don't know what happened or how they were able to give me a code if you can't get one for the iPhone becuase that is the phone listed on my account, unless they used an old phone for its information. It is just really hard to believe that the company will not deal with extenuating circumstances - even with proof and other verification that it isn't just some scam or trying to be cheap. I mean, i would have them bill me for the difference for the unlocked iPhone vs. the contract cost, since I can't get back to the United States to exchange for an unlocked phone. It is just too bad that noone at AT&T actually seems to want to help or think through options for very faithful and loyal customers. That is what is bothersome, not that they have their policy but that they haven't even been willing to consider the customer and trying to remedy a situation - no matter who's fault it is.

dwill05 · ‎04-06-2005

I doubt that AT&T CS reps have the technical capability (software, access to Apple's servers, or whatever it takes) to unlock an iPhone. Not saying that it doesn't exist as obviously it exists in other countries, but AT&T as a business decision choose not to have that ability. I doubt they could unlock an iPhone, even if they wanted to.

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

No one ever gave you an unlock code for an iPhone, because there is no such thing as an unlock code for an iPhone.

I have no doubt you thought you got an unlock code for an iPhone, but you didn't, becuase they don't exist.

Not only doesn't AT&T provide anyone an unlock code for any locked iPhone, there is no such thing as an unlock code, nor is there a way for an end-user to do anything (short of jailbreaking, installing a cracked unlocked baseband, and possibly bricking their phone in the process) to unlock an AT&T iPhone.

There really really isn't any way for them to fix your problem. Even if they wanted to.

Edit: clarity. AT&T iPhones do not contain unlockable baseband firmware. There is no magic code. There is no way to enter a magic code, if one existed. The AT&T baseband firmware on a locked iPhone isn't unlockable.

Kerry78 · ‎11-03-2011

Thats odd how you were given an unlock code ..

what ive been told by Apple is the network requests this and you plugin your phone to iTunes

it comes up "Your iPhone has been sucessfully unlocked"

its a shame your having this hassle anyway isn't the option of selling your phone for a unlocked one

an option then you can exchange your sim card for one in the country your in as I can imagine the cost

of roaming is probaly expensive?

btw we have all been in this situation even myself I got rid of my iPhone 4 as a trade in and got a 4S

here in the UK (thankfully phones here are unlockable)

aristizzle · ‎10-22-2010

It's 100% impossible to obtain an unlock code for the Iphone. As other posters have stated, unlock codes for Iphones do not exist. The program that AT&T customer service reps use to unlock phones has them enter the IMEI number for the phone the customer is looking to unlock. That being said, if you enter an IMEI for any iphone model no unlock codes will generate WHATSOEVER. Why? Because they don't exist.

Now what I'm thinking is maybe the rep you spoke with over the phone was confused with what you were asking for because there is an PUK unlock code, which unlocks the phone if your SIM pin is entered incorrectly a specific amount of times (which doesn't allow you to use any of the services until its unlocked by the PUK code). There is only 2 PUK unlock codes (which leads me to believe this is what you were provided since you stated you were provided 2 codes) for each phone, but the PUK codes do not unlock the iphone to use on other carriers networks it just simply unlocks the SIM card so you can continue using the service.

Unfortunately AT&T cannot remedy this situation because it is clearly stated in their terms that the Iphone cannot be unlocked, which when you purchased the iphone and signed the contract you agreed to these terms. As others have stated, if you are within 30 days of the purchase you can return the phone but if you are passed the 30 days it cannot be returned.

BadBadLeroyBrown · ‎07-12-2011

It is entirely possible, if not likely, that because of all your international travel the phone displayed in your OLAM (Online Account Manager) did not update when you purchased the iPhone. My OLAM screen showed my old iPhone even after I activated the 4S. So it's entirely likely that they were giving you an unlock code generated for your old phone, which would of course do you no good with the iPhone.

If this were any other phone, you might garner a little bit of sympathy, but AT&T has NEVER unlocked the iPhone. The phone's been out for 4.5 years now, and AT&T has officially unlocked ZERO iPhones in that time. All this nonsense about "faithful" and "loyal" customers is nonsense, as this has been AT&T's official policy since Day 1. Really, how are you any different than the legions of international travelers, business people, and others who were quick to buy AT&T-locked iPhones and then express outrage when they found out about AT&T's unlocking policy? AT&T isn't going to budge on this one.

At this point, since you didn't bother to do your homework, you have a couple of options. You can get a cheap unlocked Nokia, activate that, and ship your iPhone to the States (or bring it with you on your next trip home). Have an associate in the States offload it for you on Craigslist or eBay. Take what you make from the phone (which may well be more than you paid for it), purchase an unlocked iPhone.

Teddy23P wrote:
I don't know what happened or how they were able to give me a code if you can't get one for the iPhone becuase that is the phone listed on my account, unless they used an old phone for its information. It is just really hard to believe that the company will not deal with extenuating circumstances - even with proof and other verification that it isn't just some scam or trying to be cheap. I mean, i would have them bill me for the difference for the unlocked iPhone vs. the contract cost, since I can't get back to the United States to exchange for an unlocked phone. It is just too bad that noone at AT&T actually seems to want to help or think through options for very faithful and loyal customers. That is what is bothersome, not that they have their policy but that they haven't even been willing to consider the customer and trying to remedy a situation - no matter who's fault it is.

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

Aristizzle,

Thank you for not assuming I am lying like the other responders to my post. As stated before I am not sure what they gave me but it sounds like what you have explained below was probably it. When on the phone the customer service rep did say that she would give me both, just in case the first one wasn't working any longer.

And, yes, I know that if I am within the 30 days I can return it, which I am, but have no access to a store to return it. I know I am a very unique situation. I live in a third world country doing aid work and don't have access to the all the news back in the states - particularly about things that don't really matter here like US phone companies. I relied on getting accurate information from teh representative and that didn't happen - I would have returned the phone for an unlocked one. I did assume that it was just locked so you stuck to the contract and wouldn't be a problem and that was confirmed by the mis-information.

Anyway, thank you, for giving me some information I didn't have before about the type of code they probably gave.

T

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

I guess the only thing I don't understand is how everyone is so quick to point out doing your research. I think a conversation with the companies representatives should count as research and if it doesn't then I am not sure what should. Now, my problem is that their should be some accountability on both sides put hte other is not even trying to consider a remedy - and that's my problem. It is like a lot of people who have responded on this forum, 'we don't unlcok and that's that.'

What ever happened to problem solving. For example, you live in a third world country and got the wrong information sure we will exchange for a unlocked phone. Since, any form of shipping out of a third world country is going to take time, we will extend the return period for you to allow for the shipping time. Or, if there really is a way to unlock it, sure pay the difference for the unlocked phone and we will take care of it. Or... I mean the rep wasn't even willing to think past the initial reaction and was basically refusing to let me speak to a supervisor or someone who could potentially help.

Anyway, thanks for the information about how my account might be listed and therefore another possible explaination as to why the rep originally gave me an unlock code.

Ugh...

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

You do understand that AT&T doesn't sell unlocked iPhones, right? Only Apple sells unlocked iPhones in the primary market. So, it's not a simple exchange within one company. You would have to return your current phone to AT&T, then purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple. You've already stated that your current situation makes this a solution that would be difficult to implement.

I sense that you feel as if you are being hit over the head with AT&T's policy not to unlock iPhones. AT&T has many policies; I've heard of some bending on some of them in the past. However, I have never heard of AT&T unlocking an iPhone. This is why everyone is very comfortable in repeating this with a "that's that" tone. If a change is coming, it probably won't be soon enough to help you.

You've mentioned problem solving quite a few times in your posts. As it stands now, the problem solving ball is in your court. It may not be ideal but outside of a return/exchange for a different phone, AT&T isn't going to help you with this one.

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

Teddy23P wrote:

I guess the only thing I don't understand is how everyone is so quick to point out doing your research. I think a conversation with the companies representatives should count as research and if it doesn't then I am not sure what should. Now, my problem is that their should be some accountability on both sides put hte other is not even trying to consider a remedy - and that's my problem. It is like a lot of people who have responded on this forum, 'we don't unlcok and that's that.'

What ever happened to problem solving. For example, you live in a third world country and got the wrong information sure we will exchange for a unlocked phone. Since, any form of shipping out of a third world country is going to take time, we will extend the return period for you to allow for the shipping time. Or, if there really is a way to unlock it, sure pay the difference for the unlocked phone and we will take care of it. Or... I mean the rep wasn't even willing to think past the initial reaction and was basically refusing to let me speak to a supervisor or someone who could potentially help.

Anyway, thanks for the information about how my account might be listed and therefore another possible explaination as to why the rep originally gave me an unlock code.

Ugh...

AT&T sells phones and service for use the US, with worldwide roaming (ie, you still use your AT&T sim). It's not in the business of selling unlocked handsets for use with other carriers. That's Apple's business.

BadBadLeroyBrown · ‎07-12-2011

Everyone is quick to point out doing research because a rep can't be held resposible for making an honest mistake, but AT&T's and Apple's policies in print neither lie nor make mistakes. One of the sub-headings under this FAQ explicitly says, "iPhones are not eligible for unlocking". That's the way it has been since Day 1.

As others have pointed out, AT&T may not even sell the unlocked phones. For that, you have to purchase it from Apple.

What ever happened to problem solving? Really? What ever happened to the notion that AT&T is an American wireless carriers selling cell phones, calling, texting and data plans and other services to American citizens primarily for use in America? You want AT&T to make a special exception to their iPhone unlock policy, and barring that you want them to completely disregard their shipping and return policies because you couldn't be bothered to do your own homework. AT&T does not ship internationally; if I'm not mistaken, they don't even ship to APO/FPO (military post office locations) internationally. AT&T has a 30-day return policy; you want them to completely disregard that because of a situation that you created. There's problem solving to produce an answer, and then there's "imagineering" to create a solution which could not possibly exist.

Teddy23P wrote:
I guess the only thing I don't understand is how everyone is so quick to point out doing your research. I think a conversation with the companies representatives should count as research and if it doesn't then I am not sure what should. Now, my problem is that their should be some accountability on both sides put hte other is not even trying to consider a remedy - and that's my problem. It is like a lot of people who have responded on this forum, 'we don't unlcok and that's that.'

What ever happened to problem solving. For example, you live in a third world country and got the wrong information sure we will exchange for a unlocked phone. Since, any form of shipping out of a third world country is going to take time, we will extend the return period for you to allow for the shipping time. Or, if there really is a way to unlock it, sure pay the difference for the unlocked phone and we will take care of it. Or... I mean the rep wasn't even willing to think past the initial reaction and was basically refusing to let me speak to a supervisor or someone who could potentially help.

Anyway, thanks for the information about how my account might be listed and therefore another possible explaination as to why the rep originally gave me an unlock code.

Ugh...

Teddy23P · ‎02-02-2012

Thanks Kerry,

Yes, it kind of sucks that that it is just a standard answer with no attempt at problem solving. If I was back in the US or even the UK - it would be sorted because I would just go back and exchange the phone. This is the problem when you are only back in the developed world for short periods of time between international posts.

Kerry78 · ‎11-03-2011

Do you not know anyone whom could
Receive the phone from you and take it back
You would have to look in at reliable shipping though

Btw hope you work something out and have just learnt to avoid
The lower cost of American sold iPhones

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Kerry78 wrote:
Do you not know anyone whom could
Receive the phone from you and take it back
You would have to look in at reliable shipping though

Btw hope you work something out and have just learnt to avoid
The lower cost of American sold iPhones

botom line - know the rules when you play the currency game on items, the restrictions on the ATT retail iphones are know, documented and argued ad-nauseum, there are no exceptions.

BadBadLeroyBrown · ‎07-12-2011

Amen. "Problem solving" in this case means disregarding multiple well-documented and long-established policies. Can you imagine if AT&T even tried to ship an unlocked iPhone to somewhere in Africa? How much do you want to bet it never gets to its destination? And then whose resposibility is it to fix that issue?

Some people don't realize that customer service occasionally means telling the customer no, and that asking the same question over and over again won't result in a different answer.

angelinblack8 · ‎02-10-2012

First, I want to say, I'm sorry that the information you received from the respresentatives isn't what you were asking for. My understanding is that you would like a number to use to communicate while you're doing your humanitarian work, and the bad news is (as you know by now), it's not going to happen on the 4S without those international charges you mentioned earlier. Even if Apple released the unlock codes, AT&T would only be able to give it to you (in 99% of cases) if your 2 year committment is completed or you purchased the device at full retail pricing. Unfortunately, for the iPhones, the representatives don't have access to the information at all.

The good news is (problem solving here ), getting a phone that you CAN use while you're travelling is not very difficult, nor is it terribly expensive. You can purchase an unlocked phone (I know mail is slow, I'm sorry) through many channels, Amazon, Ebay, etc., or simply purchase an older AT&T locked phone and obtain the unlock code. If you select something that's a non-smartphone, these can be purchased very cheaply and then used with a local SIM. Additionally, you can set up immediate call forwarding from your US phone number to your international SIM number to prevent any international charges and get calls forwarded to your SIM where you are. Customer care can help you with this, you can do it online, or from the phone itself. You can contact customer care while travelling internationally by dialing +1-916-843-4685 (it's a free call from your phone). If the + sign doesn't work, dial 011 instead of +1.

It's not an immediate solution, because it'll take a little while for the phone to get to you, but it'll allow you to get some use of your phone number (since you're paying for it anyway) and still receive calls and keep in touch while you're doing your humanitarian work. FYI, you can still use your iPhone in airplane mode, or connect to Wi-Fi with your phone without incurring any extra charges on your bill. If you have any questions about this project, I'll be around. Hope this helps.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s position, strategies or opinions

Kerry78 · ‎11-03-2011

lol which service do AT&T use for shipping?

cos if its USPS then i'd be worried anyway as they do have a habit of not

updating there shipment process info

btw saying that about Africa its the same for all even with un-exspensive items

they can go missing all the time except for Courier items via DHL or FedEx

there impressive I remember when I bought a iPod Mini from the USA

years ago it arrived through the above in 3 days I couldn't believe it

hilalustuk · ‎02-11-2012

As a UK resident, I have absolutely rubbish while i am owning an Iphone4 which is locked to AT&T.

When my brother visit US first time in his whole life, he bought 2 IPHoNE 4 pay as you go phone.

He has been asked to seller couple of times about, if the phone were locked and answered as, when you buy with no contract, it is not locked. So here it is. We both have an expensive iphones for no service at all.

I tried to communicate with AT&T service center to many times but not possible to communicate. If you luckily find an email address for this awful and an respectful company, you never get any response for your matter.

So we learned very good lesson from AT&T. When anyone travel to US, never ever buy any thing from AT&T. When anyone visit to UK, you can safely buy anything from UK network companies. Most of them unlocks iphones upon requests.

So well done AT&T for making me and my brother as a fool. I am advising and will always advise all my friends in London, whenever travel US, never ever visit AT&T store....

BadBadLeroyBrown · ‎07-12-2011

First, iPhones are NEVER sold as pay as you go phones, as iPhones haven't been allowed on prepaid plans since the first generation model.

Your brother probably didn't go into an AT&T Corporate Store, but instead likely went into what is called an "authorized reseller" (a third party that AT&T authorizes to sell phones and service). They're not always easily indistinguishable.

Not sure why you're hoping to achieve by communicating with AT&T - this policy has been known since the first iPhone came out, no exceptions are made to the rule, and it's not likely to change without regulatory input.

hilalustuk wrote:
As a UK resident, I have absolutely rubbish while i am owning an Iphone4 which is locked to AT&T.

When my brother visit US first time in his whole life, he bought 2 IPHoNE 4 pay as you go phone.

He has been asked to seller couple of times about, if the phone were locked and answered as, when you buy with no contract, it is not locked. So here it is. We both have an expensive iphones for no service at all.

I tried to communicate with AT&T service center to many times but not possible to communicate. If you luckily find an email address for this awful and an respectful company, you never get any response for your matter.

So we learned very good lesson from AT&T. When anyone travel to US, never ever buy any thing from AT&T. When anyone visit to UK, you can safely buy anything from UK network companies. Most of them unlocks iphones upon requests.

So well done AT&T for making me and my brother as a fool. I am advising and will always advise all my friends in London, whenever travel US, never ever visit AT&T store....

Kerry78 · ‎11-03-2011

Lol well if a person whom decides to buy a expensive
Item in the USA then it's there job to look at all the facts when handing money over

Apple sell 3 variated iPhones apparently over there
U obviously want the unbranded sim free one not the locked one

Even so there's the warranty issue

Buy a iPhone in ur own country to avoid probs
If u live in the USA then AT&T is way to go
Thinking of a holiday? Buy a phone on prepay abroad
Or accept the roaming charges you cannot exchange a sim for that cheaper option lol

FredW · ‎04-24-2007

I suppose at&t will need to implement an intelligence check before selling a phone. The policy is well known to anyone that reads the terms of service. If a fanboy is not intelligent enough to realize what they are getting into (or read), maybe they should be dinied the iphone.