Question about O2 3GS - Unlock after contract terminates?

**alex_london** · 11-09-2009 03:35 PM

Hello,

I have a 3GS on a O2 (UK) contract and was wondering - when the contract is up, will O2 be able to "factory unlock" my iPhone? I know other mobile phone providers will give you unlock codes for their subsidised devices when you're up for an upgrade, but I'm not sure about O2 and the iPhone.

Thanks,
-Alex

**Olethros** · 11-09-2009 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by alex_london

I have a 3GS on a O2 (UK) contract and was wondering - when the contract is up, will O2 be able to "factory unlock" my iPhone? I know other mobile phone providers will give you unlock codes for their subsidised devices when you're up for an upgrade, but I'm not sure about O2 and the iPhone.

It depends on the country and it's laws and also the competition.

In Germany, it is law that 2 years after purchase, you can request your phone be unlocked.

In the US, AT&T has a monopoly on the iPhone and thus does not allow Apple to factory unlock iPhones even if they are out of their contract period.

In the UK, O2 is about to lose their monopoly and this may force them to start offering unlocks for iPhone customers (by paying out the remainder of their contracts, or for a small fee if the contract is expired). There is no law forcing them to offer unlocks as far as I know.

**sananda** · 11-09-2009 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by alex_london

Hello,

I have a 3GS on a O2 (UK) contract and was wondering - when the contract is up, will O2 be able to "factory unlock" my iPhone? I know other mobile phone providers will give you unlock codes for their subsidised devices when you're up for an upgrade, but I'm not sure about O2 and the iPhone.

Thanks,
-Alex

You can unlock it from 10 November within the contract period: http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html

**alex_london** · 11-10-2009 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by sananda

You can unlock it from 10 November within the contract period: http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html

Great news, thanks! I have no reason to unlock it right now, but it's good to know I have the option

**Rudidudi** · 11-10-2009 05:48 PM

has anyone opted for this free O2 unlock?

i love the idea of only having to jb the phone and not worry about the unlock on my 3g unit.

id be interested to see if it mucks about with any jailbroken filestructure etc

**Olethros** · 11-10-2009 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Rudidudi

has anyone opted for this free O2 unlock?

i love the idea of only having to jb the phone and not worry about the unlock on my 3g unit.

id be interested to see if it mucks about with any jailbroken filestructure etc

The unlock is actually issued by Apple and works the same way regardless of carrier. It should not be impacted by jailbreak at all.