Official unlock in S. Africa?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Official unlock in S. Africa?

Hi all. I have a question on official carrier unlocks. I have my AT&T iPhone 3GS w/ my contract which I have no problem with. Thing is, I may be going to S. Africa for work for a couple of months and want to take my iPhone w/ me. Now, I clearly can't be on roaming rates for 2 months but I do have a Vodacom S. Africa SIM that I've used in the past there (on a different handset, not iPhone).

I found out that Vodacom.za is not a locked carrier and I am wondering if, when I get there and top up my SIM, would they officially unlock my iPhone so I can use it there? If so, will it work when I come back to the US w/ my AT&T SIM? And does any of this break my iPhone warranty?

Thanks!

32GB 3GS, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 5, 2009 9:02 AM

Reply

Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Jul 5, 2009 9:31 AM in response to ThatGirl3

NO.

Only AT&T can officially unlock the U.S. iphone, but they do not do this.

Yes, unlocking the U.S. iphone does indeed void your warranty.

Reply

Answer 2

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Jul 5, 2009 9:39 AM in response to ThatGirl3

You'll need to buy an iPhone from Vodacom in Africa if you want an unlocked phone. ATT will not unlock your US iPhone for use with another carrier.

Reply

Answer 3

ThatGirl3 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 5, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Tamara

OK. Thank you both for your help. It's unfortunate. Not sure what I'm going to do w/ my iPhone for 2-3 months then 😟.

Reply

Answer 4

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Jul 5, 2009 9:45 AM in response to ThatGirl3

You can use it as a wifi device until you come back 🙂. With wifi, you can skype, email, chat, etc.

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 5, 2009 9:47 AM in response to ThatGirl3

Buy an unlocked iPhone in South Africa. You can use it with your AT&T SIM when you get back to USA, and sell your AT&T iPhone. If you don't plan to travel again, you could sell the unlocked one instead. A factory unlocked iPhone should sell for more than a locked one.

Reply

Answer 6

ThatGirl3 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 5, 2009 9:59 AM in response to Tamara

True but I want to be able to use it as my main phone. I don't understand why the iPhone isn't subject to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA which is supposed to allow official unlocking of phones even after you complete your contract.

Reply

Answer 7

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Jul 5, 2009 10:16 AM in response to ThatGirl3

If you've received a subsidized phone, there is no requirement for a carrier to unlock the phone. ATT will sometimes provide an unlock for people who have met the terms of their contract.

Reply