Bought an Iphone in Belgium, live in Canada

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Level 1

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Bought an Iphone in Belgium, live in Canada

I'm visiting family in Belgium and as a surprise they bought me a new Iphone 4S. The problem is that I live in Canada and I'm worried the phone won't work or that I'll be charged roaming fees anytime I use it. I've tried looking online and I know you can get your phone unlocked, but from what I gather unlocking it only allows you to use a phone in another country while still being charged roaming fees. As I live in Canada, i wouldn't want to pay roaming charges anytime I use my phone. Is there anything I can do to make my phone work as if i had bought it in Canada, or will I be forced to return it? If anyone could help me with this I'd really appreciate it.

iPhone 4S

Posted on Jul 10, 2012 3:19 PM

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Answer 1

tonefox

Level 6

9,368 points

Jul 10, 2012 3:25 PM in response to IngeDB

Unlocking allws you to use a local SIM. Unfortunately the only way to get it officially unlocked is via the carrier to which it is locked.

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Answer 2

Jul 10, 2012 3:25 PM in response to IngeDB

You're in luck. All iPhones sold in Belgium are already unlocked. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937

So, it should work no problems with a local SIM back in Canada.

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Answer 3

Jul 10, 2012 3:25 PM in response to IngeDB

An unlocked phone means you can use the phone with any carrier's SIM card and network including the iPhone. All iPhone features may not be supported with a carrier in a particular country that does not support the iPhone such as visual voicemail, but it can be used without roaming fees with another carrier.

Ask if the iPhone was purchased as carrier unlocked? If sold as carrier locked, there should be the name and logo of the carrier on the back of the retail sales box.

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