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

travelling · ‎02-13-2012

Teddy,

I feel your pain man, and I wish I could have saved you the additional pain of coming to this forum to be spoken down to by {please keep it courteous} Pretty sad man. I do a lot of humanitarian work overseas as well, and had the same issue you're having. You have 2 options.

1) Keep an eye out for websites that offer unlocking services as holes open up in Apple's itunes database security. It has happened several times in the past and will happen again.

2) Bite the bullet, sell the phone, and buy an unlocked iphone direct from Apple.

I did the first option a while back and was happy with it until my phone took an unrecoverable beating in Haiti. When I got back stateside, I bought an unlocked ip4 directly from apple.

Something to note as well. There are more reasons to have an unlocked phone than just traveling for some people. Lousy at&t (I will not capitalize the name) has started to throttle back data speeds to some unlimited users. The speeds are throttled so far back that any data usage on the phone becomes virtually impossible, and phone calls become its only competent function. [Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]. For those who it has happened to, the problem has garnered enough attention to land an article on the huffington post recently. Anyway, being able to switch to T-Mobile will be useful to those folks as EDGE isn't nearly as slow as AT&T's throttled back data speeds.

Here is something else just for your piece of mind. Don't listen to what people say about at&t and Apple working in concert to keep your phone locked. That is hogwash. I work with Apple quite often and know a lot of folks over there, recently to the extent that they donated my current laptop to me to assist in my work (Thanks Apple!). They are good folks and have sounded off in some of the funniest conversations ever about how they would unlock everyone's iphone if they could. The mood over there is humorously anti at&t, and a lot of their expansion to other carriers and offering unlocked phones were at the behest of at&t and are a direct result of not only at&t's policies and restrictions, but also the fact that at&t tries to put Apple in bed with them on these policies when it is clearly not the case.

You will feel a lot better once you buy the unlocked phone man. Hang in there until then. I know it sucks. Private message me if you have any questions or want to chat.

travelling · ‎02-13-2012

And just to show that there is hope for the future, and that more options will open up as people become more and more pleased by Apple, and more and more complacent with at&t, look here:

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/05/22/what-should-apple-buy-with-their-billions-their-own-carrier/

It is just speculation, but Apple has the cash in hand and has been actively distancing themselves from carrier exclusivity. There are many reasons why Apple would do something like this, and I just hope to hear about it one day...

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

travelling wrote:

And just to show that there is hope for the future, and that more options will open up as people become more and more pleased by Apple, and more and more complacent with at&t, look here:

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/05/22/what-should-apple-buy-with-their-billions-their-own-carrier/

It is just speculation, but Apple has the cash in hand and has been actively distancing themselves from carrier exclusivity. There are many reasons why Apple would do something like this, and I just hope to hear about it one day...

you did notice it saud "data only" right?

travelling · ‎02-13-2012

If you know much about the iphone, its capabilities, and available apps, then you know that "data only", if it be the case, is not a limitation at all. I typically choose data only plans overseas on my factory unlocked iphone and have no trouble making voip calls, using gps, checking email, texting, web browsing, tethering, and anything else I need for that matter.

I think that if Apple were to do this sort of thing, they would consider not limiting it to data only, but for the savvy, unlimited data only would be more than enough.

Like I said, this is only speculation at this point, but at&t, with its lack of courtesy and poor policy handling, seems to be doing everything it can to help convince Apple to make it a reality. As long as there is someone to do bad business and treat people in bad faith, there will always be someone smarter who knows they can profit off being the better company. For this, I can actually thank at&t. Without their incompetence and and strict adherence to rules that limit and put constraints on consumers, we wouldn't have this great big open door looking for the right company to seize the opportunity, and the customer base.

BadBadLeroyBrown · ‎07-12-2011

This is the same nonsensical speculation that's been following Google for years. Let's get one thing clear - Apple's not getting into the carrier business anytime soon, if ever. Much of Apple's cash is held in foreign subsidiaries of the US parent, and there's no way for Apple to onshore that cash without taking a HUGE tax hit.

Second, this article clearly states that ClearWire's network only covers about 35% of the US's population. Considering their network in built on a technology that Apple will likely NEVER support, the author of this piece is really pulling this idea from a place where the sun doesn't shine. Even if Apple could build a data-only iPhone based on ClearWire technology, it would still have to have a GSM or CDMA radio (or the combo GSM/CDMA radio currently in the phone) to fall back to in places where Clear's network wasn't present. There's rampant speculation that Apple hasn't built an LTE iPhone yet because it couldn't shoehorn the LTE chip into the iPhone's form factor.

Finally, the carriers would CRUSH Apple on roaming arrangements with them if the company tried to go around them, and they wouldn't be onboard selling a data-only phone. The carriers are far too attracted to their profitable voice and texting plans. And nobody would buy a data-only iPhone on "Apple Wireless" whose service disappeared like "magic" in 75% of the country.

travelling wrote:
And just to show that there is hope for the future, and that more options will open up as people become more and more pleased by Apple, and more and more complacent with at&t, look here:

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/05/22/what-should-apple-buy-with-their-billions-their-own-carrier/

It is just speculation, but Apple has the cash in hand and has been actively distancing themselves from carrier exclusivity. There are many reasons why Apple would do something like this, and I just hope to hear about it one day...

travelling · ‎02-13-2012

Thanks for all your opinions on the subject, but the truth is that all we really know is this: Apple will not do something half way. If they get in that game, they'll control it, and they'll do it right. At least that is what recent years have have taught us. It is not a far fetched plan, and certainly not one for a company with so much cash on hand and so many network intigrated devices. Apple also knows that there is a demand for such service and if they can fill the void while being innovative and on the cutting edge, history shows they will. We can only hope to have such an option in the future.

Google is a fantastic company, but they have been steps behind Apple throughout this race.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

travelling wrote:

Thanks for all your opinions on the subject, but the truth is that all we really know is this: Apple will not do something half way. If they get in that game, they'll control it, and they'll do it right. At least that is what recent years have have taught us. It is not a far fetched plan, and certainly not one for a company with so much cash on hand and so many network intigrated devices. Apple also knows that there is a demand for such service and if they can fill the void while being innovative and on the cutting edge, history shows they will. We can only hope to have such an option in the future.

Google is a fantastic company, but they have been steps behind Apple throughout this race.

65 billion would not even scratch the surface of costs for building their own data network, that might pay for the fees required for spectrum licensing and one or two towers, but full coverage across the us and the world, not a drop in the bucket towards it

Facci · ‎11-30-2005

Yes I'm sure there's a demand for it but don't think it's a big demand! People want data but most still need or want reliable phone service. Why would I carry 2 devices? Plus I'm sure if they created a data only device the cost for data would be more than you pay now. It wouldn't be cheaper.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Facci wrote:
Yes I'm sure there's a demand for it but don't think it's a big demand! People want data but most still need or want reliable phone service. Why would I carry 2 devices? Plus I'm sure if they created a data only device the cost for data would be more than you pay now. It wouldn't be cheaper.

Historicly since Apple's inception they have never been price competitive, they are by in far the highest ROI of any phone or device manufacturer, do not see them changing this 30 year habit just for a data network, so yes I agree with you

FredW · ‎04-24-2007

You could run voice over a data only network. VOIP has been done for years. But if Apple were to try anything like that, I would think thier first step would be to buy T-mobile as a base and build out. DT, the parent company of T-mobile, has made no secret that it would love to sell off it's US holdings and concentrate on the European market. DT tried to sell T-mobile to at&t before the DOJ killed the deal.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

FredW wrote:

You could run voice over a data only network. VOIP has been done for years. But if Apple were to try anything like that, I would think thier first step would be to buy T-mobile as a base and build out. DT, the parent company of T-mobile, has made no secret that it would love to sell off it's US holdings and concentrate on the European market. DT tried to sell T-mobile to at&t before the DOJ killed the deal.

don;t think you will see that, the offer from att was 39 billion plus, seats on att board of directors and a hefy chunk of stock - don;t see apple coming anywhere close to that offer. Especially since now that the offer fell through DT can get a lot more in rewards by piecing out the infrastructure and contracts to other carriers - att included

orange-accent · ‎02-13-2012

Point blank: a business is responsible for the products they market, sell, and the information they distribute.

AT&T distributed misinformation pertaining to a product sold to one of its customer;.

the customer did not get the item he thought he purchased due to misrepresentation of the product via a telephone call with AT&T directly.

Heard of the Consumer Protection Law?

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

orange-accent wrote:

Point blank: a business is responsible for the products they market, sell, and the information they distribute.

AT&T distributed misinformation pertaining to a product sold to one of its customer;.

the customer did not get the item he thought he purchased due to misrepresentation of the product via a telephone call with AT&T directly.

Heard of the Consumer Protection Law?

hear of contract laws?

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

orange-accent wrote:

Point blank: a business is responsible for the products they market, sell, and the information they distribute.

AT&T distributed misinformation pertaining to a product sold to one of its customer;.

the customer did not get the item he thought he purchased due to misrepresentation of the product via a telephone call with AT&T directly.

Heard of the Consumer Protection Law?

Wow, you assume a lot based on the self-report of one person in a user forum.

orange-accent · ‎02-13-2012

I assumed a lot?

why don't you tell me, please, what part of that statement was an assumption?

please do note the definition of assumption I am referring to as based upon the Mirrium Webster Dictionary definition.

orange-accent · ‎02-13-2012

Contract laws may be voided if certain elements, such as a misrepresentation of a product, goods, or service, are present at the time of signage.

If a consumer in any way, (and I am not saying this is or is not the case for this specific individual who had problems unlocking his iPhone 4S) was coerced into signing a contract under false pretences, then the contract is not considered substantial and may be voided under the proper jurisdictions.

Facci · ‎11-30-2005

You are ASSUMING everything the OP says is 100% fact. What if they came on here not telling the truth? I know that would/could never happen..

dwill05 · ‎04-06-2005

People have a right and responsibility to read a contract before signing it. No one forces anyone to buy a phone. I'm not sure there is any proof of misrepresentation here. Someone can say AT&T told me this, but AT&T can say no we didn't, and unless there is some hard proof, the only thing that holds up as an uncontested fact is the signed contract.

kein-problem · ‎02-17-2012

I'm from Moscow, Russia and I bought iPhone 4 when I was in NY.
I have AT&T sim-card 89014104243463941175.
I can't use my iPhone with Russian carriers.
How can I unlock my iPhone and use Russian carrier?
I can't contact by your AT&T live-chat cause I don't know the phone number of this AT&T sim-card.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

kein-problem wrote:

I'm from Moscow, Russia and I bought iPhone 4 when I was in NY.
I have AT&T sim-card 89014104243463941175.
I can't use my iPhone with Russian carriers.
How can I unlock my iPhone and use Russian carrier?
I can't contact by your AT&T live-chat cause I don't know the phone number of this AT&T sim-card.

In the wrong forum, but

There is no phone number you can call, becasue it cannot / will not be unlocked, sell it on ebay and buy a unlocked version from Apple for full retail.

zoodaxx · ‎03-02-2012

what if an iphone which was lost reported, and customer has claimed new phone in place. how AT&T will react if such phone's IMEI will be submitted for permanent unlock?

youngjm · ‎05-02-2003

zoodaxx wrote:
what if an iphone which was lost reported, and customer has claimed new phone in place. how AT&T will react if such phone's IMEI will be submitted for permanent unlock?

The story does not matter, they do not unlock iPhones! You must buy it in an unlocked state otherwise it remains locked forever or until the policy is changed!

On further reflection, if you call ATT while hopping on your left foot, holding the iPhone in your right hand and using a different phone held up to your left ear, maybe just maybe they will unlock it for you

_____________________

For service or support questions including existing order status, call:
Customer Support: 1-800-331-0500

Information on iPhone unlocking can be found here by copying this link into your browser:
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U3260825

nycboy55 · ‎03-03-2012

some one say att now do the official unlock servies for iphone after feb 29 2012. is that true??

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

nycboy55 wrote:

some one say att now do the official unlock servies for iphone after feb 29 2012. is that true??

no, the iphone is still not eligibile for unlock, you want a unlocked iphone goto apple and pay full retail for the unlocked version only they sell

graphite07 · ‎10-16-2007

nycboy55 wrote:
some one say att now do the official unlock servies for iphone after feb 29 2012. is that true??

NO your iphone stays locked to AT&T

Phil-101 · ‎11-18-2011

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emel alkan · ‎03-04-2012

İ HAVE BOUGHT İPHONE 4 İN NEWYORK... BUT İ LİVE İN TURKEY .... A FEW MONTHS LATER MY İ PHONE LOCKED... SO İ CAN T USE MY PHONE... WHY ... PLZ HELP ME HOW CAN İ USE MY İPHONE 4 AGAİN... THNK YOU AND WAİTİNG BE HELP.....

Facci · ‎11-30-2005

emel alkan wrote:
İ HAVE BOUGHT İPHONE 4 İN NEWYORK... BUT İ LİVE İN TURKEY .... A FEW MONTHS LATER MY İ PHONE LOCKED... SO İ CAN T USE MY PHONE... WHY ... PLZ HELP ME HOW CAN İ USE MY İPHONE 4 AGAİN... THNK YOU AND WAİTİNG BE HELP.....

Sell it!

youngjm · ‎05-02-2003

emel alkan wrote:

İ HAVE BOUGHT İPHONE 4 İN NEWYORK... BUT İ LİVE İN TURKEY .... A FEW MONTHS LATER MY İ PHONE LOCKED... SO İ CAN T USE MY PHONE... WHY ... PLZ HELP ME HOW CAN İ USE MY İPHONE 4 AGAİN... THNK YOU AND WAİTİNG BE HELP.....

Read all the other posts like yours! It is just not going to happen!

_____________________

For service or support questions including existing order status, call:
Customer Support: 1-800-331-0500

Information on iPhone unlocking can be found here by copying this link into your browser:
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U3260825

emel alkan · ‎03-04-2012

İ bought iphone 4 but i cant use it in turkey please help. İ want to use my phone everywhere why i cant please help? Why is it? Please help and unlock my phone i dont have any phone now i cant talk to anyone plzz !!