Invalid SIM

Question

Invalid SIM

I bought a 3GS 32GB from BESTBUY, without contract, at a quite expensive price, but I was intending to use it in Costa Rica, where there is no carrier offering the IPhone.

Right now when I put my local SIM, it says Invalid Sim. I tough this was an unlocked iphone, since it was without a contract. How can I tell if Best Buy gave me a wrong phone, or if it is not unlocked for some reason.

iphone 3gs 32gb, iPhone OS 3.1.3

Posted on Mar 28, 2010 2:45 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 28, 2010 2:53 AM in response to ErnestoMoreno

ALL iphones sold in the US are carrier locked to AT&T with no way to unlock them as AT&T does not unlock iphones for anyone for any reason, and only AT&T could unlock your phone. Buying without contract has nothing to do with whether an iphone is carrier locked or not. Without contract means just that, no 2yr agreement with AT&T, however the phone will still be carrier locked to AT&T and will only work on the AT&T network with an activated AT&T sim card. It will not work or activate on any other carriers network.

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Answer 2

Tamara

Level 6

13,738 points

Mar 28, 2010 5:04 AM in response to ErnestoMoreno

You wasted your money. BestBuy does not sell unlocked iPhones. Your best bet is to see if you can return it to BestBuy and get your money back.

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Answer 3

Dr_AL

Level 3

674 points

Mar 28, 2010 7:53 AM in response to ErnestoMoreno

If you are looking for an unlocked iPhone you will have to find a carrier (please note there are none in North America) who sells the iPhone unlocked. You can see who does here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
You will have to contact those carriers to see the cost of getting the iPhone and alot of them required more money for an unlocked iPhone or will only do it at the end of the contract.

Also there is no guarantee that it will work with your carrier or any carrier in Costa Rica. Chances are that there is atleast one GSM carrier in Costa Rica which will work with the iPhone, but there are also horror stories of carriers charging an arm and a leg since the iPhone tends to use more data than other phones.

I'd stay stick with whatever phone you have and wait till there is an official carrier in Costa Rica.

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