O2 sits on fence about iPhone unlocking
It seems O2 is throwing its toys out of the iPhone pram, and is sitting on the fence as to whether it will provide users with iPhone unlock codes to move to other networks.
Previously the network had refused to unlock handsets based on the grounds that it had an exclusive deal with Apple. Now that deal has come to an end, it seems O2 isn't too sure if it wants to allow its iPhone users to jump ship.
Speaking to The Register, O2 said: "We did not offer unlocking at the end of a customer’s iPhone contract as we had the exclusive contract for the iPhone in the UK.
"Obviously, that situation has changed and we are currently working through what will happen."
If O2 decides to stick to its guns, you'll be forced to go down the unofficial unlocking route, or be stuck with a phone locked to the O2 network. We know the route we'd be likely to take.
What do you think to this? Does O2 have a write to keep its iPhones locked? Let us know below, and check out our smartphones top 10 to see if the iPhone is really worth all the fuss.
Comments
adrian7893
2 years ago
O2 should give customers the option of opening their phones to any network once their contract has come to an end, they've had the monopoly on this phone for two years and in all honesty it wouldn't have mattered to me at the time who had the phone I would have still bought the original & 3g models. O2 were very shortsighted in my view when the 3gs came out, I am sure there were lots of people like me that despite the rumours of other networks getting the iPhone would have jumped at the chance to upgrade without penalty to the 3gs. To have to wait until the last month of the contract has now given all of those people a choice and hopefully the competition will now mean that the customer will get a better deal. I don't think that anyone would currently ditch their old iPhone especially when it is worth the best part of £200 on the recycle websites!
dave_clark_f1ve
2 years ago
I think this is pretty typical of the "greedy corporation" mentality. They are abusing the fact that not everyone who already has the phone will want to part with it for the sake of a better deal on another network. I am pretty sure there is some sort of anti-competition ruling that makes this kind of thing illegal; it's why Microsoft have to allow you to use software other than I.E. on Windows for example.
steelneil81
2 years ago
I don't get this. No other mobile gets unlocked at the end of the contract in the UK so why would O2 start unlocking the iPhone?
Don't get me wrong it would be great if they do but I can't see it
alastairclark
2 years ago
I'm pretty sure making you stay with O2 by using this tactic is actually against EU law. Telefonica could find themselves in hot water if they allow this.
burlton
2 years ago
Isnt this illegal!?
If its not it should be. Its definitely unethical. One for OfCom maybe. Anyone wanna take them to court?
Doesnt seem unreasonable for O2 to unlock it after you have already paid them almost £1,000 and more in many cases. I want to use a foreign sim card in it too!
Steelneil81 - Actually any other phone you can get unlocked at the end of contract(usually cost about £10 if you do it through the network).