Problem with unlock French iPhone

I was buy before 30 days in France official "unlocked" iPhone for 749 EUR.
According to advice in Orange Shop I was first active this with Orange SIM card. According info from another users I must waiting for confirm letter from apple and after get of this is possible use iPhone with anther SIM cards . This process is acording to this maximum 21 days. But until now (30 days after activation with Orange sim)I have not none letter from Apple and this iPhone is locked for using of another SIM always. I have Vodafone SIM in Czech Republic.Where is problem ? Can you give me advice any ? I am afraid, so problem is, so I make activation iPhone with Orange SIM and iPhone is active in Orange site only, but I dont know.... What are your experiences with French official unlocking iPhone ? What is drill - step be step, after purchase of official unlocking iPhone in France ? Where I was come a guster ? Thank you for your help in advance. ...And I am sorry for me bad english........

macbook PRO, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Mar 9, 2008 6:26 AM

21 replies

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Mar 13, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Kevin Brown2

The problem seems to be, IMHO, that there is a discrepancy between what Orange tells their customers and what Apple officially supports.

While it is true that you can unlock the French iPhone for out of country carriers it does seem to have issues from time to time and Apple actual stance on the issue remains unclear.

Mar 13, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Ansuz82

"....and Apple actual stance on the issue remains unclear. ....."

Apple have no stance. I have never seen a statement from Apple. When I first tried the unlocked phone with 1.1.2, I discovered the problem and called Apple support who knew of the problem and promised a fix. Other than than, Apple have never made statements about Orange France.

Apple are obligated to adhere to French law. And they do. Bit of course they prefer not to trumpet that some iphone customers can unlock their phones officially.

However Louis-Michel Aymard, a France Telecom PR spokesperson made it clear the iphone was unlocked for ANY GSM carrier.

he can be reached : louismichel.aymard@orange-ftgroup.com. So if you still have doubts feel free to email him for a repeat of his press statements.

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Mar 13, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Kevin Brown2

I don't have doubts about the validity of the unlock. Its clear that they have to unlock it for all carriers. The issues in 1.1.2 were most likley due to the lack of forethought in who would be buying the phone.

The problem is that Apple has no stance. While they are required to unlock the phone, I don't know if they are required to support it in countries where it is not sold. If they decision in France covered that aspect let us know.

Mar 13, 2008 12:07 PM in response to Ansuz82

".... I don't know if they are required to support it in countries where it is not sold....."

Under EU law if I buy a toaster in UK and use it in France, my warranty is still valid. So if someone buys goods in France ( and remember a phone is no different to any other item - once it is sold, the law kicks in) your rights are not diminished.

Now Apple MIGHT refuse to support it, but notionally the EU says they should offer support.

For me, I live in France, but spend 52 weeks a year on the road. They will support me and have done so. Even when I told them I had a German SIM in the phone.

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Mar 13, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Kevin Brown2

Kevin Brown2 wrote:
For me, I live in France, but spend 52 weeks a year on the road. They will support me and have done so. Even when I told them I had a German SIM in the phone.

Ok, well that clears up my question. If they supported the piece beyond the initial unlock knowing it was using and out of country SIM then clearly its something they will work with, though not publicize.

Jirka Dytrt Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 16, 2008 2:35 PM in response to Kevin Brown2

To Kevin.Last week I was call to Orange shop with this problem and they are inform me, so I must before unlock proces recharge Orange SIM for 100 EUR prepay credit. But this I must recharge in Orange Site in France only , no from another country....Until now I was not know about this, here will be problem maybe.....In Friday I was recharge Orange SIM in France and now I will be waiting, if now apple unlock this iPhone in iTunes site... I am hope, so now yes....Thank you for help.....

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Problem with unlock French iPhone