how can i activate my iphone 4s unlock?

You can't. Softbank does not offer unlocking for the iPhone.

Contact Softbank, Only they can unlock it,

Don't waste your time contacting Softbank. As provided, they don't offer unlocking for the iPhone.

Not always the case. It's his time to "waste."

http://www.japanmobiletech.com/2012/09/softbank-smartphone-trade-in-program.html

And, exactly how does that help the OP? Bother to read that...that phone has to be traded in, then it will be sold overseas.

Exactly how do you know either the OP's plans for his phone or Softbank's current policies/offers (that one was in 2012)?

The point is that Softbank has no absolute prohibition on unlocking iPhones, and since you do not determine their policies, it is not a "waste of time" for him to contact them to find out for himself.

As stated twice now, Softbank does not offer unlocking for the iPhone. You can ignore modular747's posts.

Good luck.

Yet another Proclamation of How Things Are By Wjosten. Best to heed his instructions on how to spend your time.

If you have a technical support question, I suggest starting your own thread.

Good luck.

That program was for iPhones being traded in to Softbank. Not for a personal unlock, so that the current user can use the device. The replacement iPhone would still be locked to Softphone. The traded-in iPhone is unlocked, and then sold in another market.

The OP asked about his phone, and unlocking it from Softphone for his personal use. Your article, while proving that there is not a '100%' prohibition on unlocking devices, is not relevant to the OP's situation.

What is relevant is that is it isn't a "wast of time" and to "ignore" suggestions for the OP to contact Softbank and find out for himself. Neither of you are authorities on their policies, merely regurgitating the current Apple listings. Unlock policies for many carriers worldwide are changing.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1937 was updated two days ago. It's accurate. Softphone's website has not been modified either to indicate that they have changed their policy.

Of course the OP is welcome to contact Softphone. But Softphone is not changing their policies. They've made no such announcement, and until there's a public announcement, it's highly unlikely that Softphone Support will comment on them, if any.

"Of course the OP is welcome to contact Softphone"

Not according to wjosten. He categorically instructed the OP not to do so and specifically to ignore my suggestions to contact them. wjosten's inappropriate remarks, not the likelihood of the OP's success with SoftBank is the issue.

As a customer, the OP SHOULD communicate and interact with them on this or any matter regarding THEIR policies.

You may have noticed that I don't always agree with wjosten. In this case, I'm in the middle. While there is no harm in the OP contacting Softphone (except for a possible waste of time), there is no evidence to support that it will have any effect. Neither Apple nor Softphone have announced a change to the current unlock policies.

So, in essence, you're both right. All the OP would be doing by calling is to verify that Softphone hasn't changed their unlock policies. I would be shocked if they say they have changed anything about their unlock policies.

Granted, as always, wjosten is coming across as aloof, arrogant and officious. And when he IS wrong, he ignores the fact that he's wrong. But in this case, we have no reason to believe Softphone has changed their policies.

What I said, and still say, is that no one in this forum can categorically state that it is impossible that SoftBank will ever change their policies, particularly since they have modified (albeit in a very restricted and temporary way). All I suggested was that the OP contact SoftBank and let them inform him of their policy.

wjosten's proclamations were typical and a disservice to the OP. Whatever small chance that the unlock policy will be changed cannot be helped by customers not making any attempt.