More Claims of Unlocked 3G iPhones... Belgium, India, Australia?
In February, Apple's COO, Timothy Cook said that Apple was "not married to any business model" with regard to the iPhone. Specifically, Apple's has received some criticism about their exclusivity contracts with specific mobile carriers, preventing customers from easily using other networks.
It appears this model appears to be eroding, at least in some countries. A recent report claimed that the 3G iPhone would launch in Italy as an unlocked phone, available for use with any carrier. The side effect of this move, however, could be higher retail prices for the iPhones. With the exclusivity deals Apple has in place, Apple earns a portion of monthly subscription fees from their network partners, such as AT&T.
Another report from Belgium makes identical claims that a 3G iPhone will be arriving by the end of June. Again, the iPhone is expected to be compatible with all Belgian operators, though is expected to launch on Mobistar first as early as May. The decision may have been forced upon Apple, however, as Belgium specifically prohibits the sale of "locked" mobile phones.
Still, other reports have hinted at similar distribution models in India and Australia later this year.
Despite technical measures in place to prevent the use of the iPhone on unauthorized networks, the practice of "unlocking" iPhones has become a big business with reports that as many as 400,000 unlocked iPhones running on China Mobile's network.
It appears this model appears to be eroding, at least in some countries. A recent report claimed that the 3G iPhone would launch in Italy as an unlocked phone, available for use with any carrier. The side effect of this move, however, could be higher retail prices for the iPhones. With the exclusivity deals Apple has in place, Apple earns a portion of monthly subscription fees from their network partners, such as AT&T.
Another report from Belgium makes identical claims that a 3G iPhone will be arriving by the end of June. Again, the iPhone is expected to be compatible with all Belgian operators, though is expected to launch on Mobistar first as early as May. The decision may have been forced upon Apple, however, as Belgium specifically prohibits the sale of "locked" mobile phones.
Still, other reports have hinted at similar distribution models in India and Australia later this year.
Despite technical measures in place to prevent the use of the iPhone on unauthorized networks, the practice of "unlocking" iPhones has become a big business with reports that as many as 400,000 unlocked iPhones running on China Mobile's network.
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50 months ago
I have no problem with the iPhone being locked to a particular network as I do see some big advantages to it but at the same time offering it on any network would be a good think also.
If it gets released without any network ties then its going to be very very very popular.
I would like to think they might go for a two version approach but its just something I cant see apple doing. For example sell the iPhone either locked hence you get the visual voicemail, special iPhone data plan etc etc and unlocked with just the phone somehow stating that you wont have access to visual voicemail unless your carrier supports it and also you may need to check about your data plan so that you dont incur high bills.
If it gets released without any network ties then its going to be very very very popular.
I would like to think they might go for a two version approach but its just something I cant see apple doing. For example sell the iPhone either locked hence you get the visual voicemail, special iPhone data plan etc etc and unlocked with just the phone somehow stating that you wont have access to visual voicemail unless your carrier supports it and also you may need to check about your data plan so that you dont incur high bills.
50 months ago
If Apple wants subscription revenues, perhaps they could offer a .Mac style service for the iPhone that enables extra features. And it could be web not carrier based.
50 months ago
Apple wont be any different than any other carrier or vendor - in most of the world the phones sell unlocked and unencumbered (e.g. no feature lockout like Verizon used to do with Bluetooth). In the US they'll continue to sell them locked to a carrier.
On the plus side, at least things are lining up for an end of June launch. I would assume that the iPhone 2.0 firmware would probably go live at the same time, and it will ship on the 3G phones.
On the plus side, at least things are lining up for an end of June launch. I would assume that the iPhone 2.0 firmware would probably go live at the same time, and it will ship on the 3G phones.
50 months ago
I take it this would mean no more free new apps for such iPhones, if the reason for them being free is that they are part of the subscription model?
50 months ago
Good: unlocked phones and choice! :) :)
Bad: Apple raising price on iPhone to keep same profits. :mad:
Good: Other companies making good, affordable phones that bite into Apple's sales to remind them that they are not alone in the game. :p
Bad: Apple raising price on iPhone to keep same profits. :mad:
Good: Other companies making good, affordable phones that bite into Apple's sales to remind them that they are not alone in the game. :p
50 months ago
I take it this would mean no more free new apps for such iPhones, if the reason for them being free is that they are part of the subscription model?
eh? why would that be the case?
50 months ago
In all honesty - if they are releasing the 3G iPhone unlocked in other countries then logic prevails that it has to happen worldwide - otherwise the import of those Unlocked iPhones into countries like the UK will be vast! I know about 6 or 7 people with iPhones and only one of them is officially with O2. The rest are jailbroken...
Plus... if they do sell unlocked in only a few countries and not in others - the latter will feel shortchanged and will be up in arms! Apple will not come out smelling of roses.
So therefore if these rumours are true - the locked iPhone is a thing of the past! And just as an aside - if the SDK will allow developers to put whatever program they can develop on there... won't that negate the use for programs such as Jailbreak and therefore Apple will start to regain control over these iPhones that are being lost to the wild?
Plus... if they do sell unlocked in only a few countries and not in others - the latter will feel shortchanged and will be up in arms! Apple will not come out smelling of roses.
So therefore if these rumours are true - the locked iPhone is a thing of the past! And just as an aside - if the SDK will allow developers to put whatever program they can develop on there... won't that negate the use for programs such as Jailbreak and therefore Apple will start to regain control over these iPhones that are being lost to the wild?
50 months ago
I think there are pros and cons for both. It would be cool to use the iPhone on whatever carrier you wanted as long as they all supported visual voice mail and had good plans with unlimited data. Being that I don't want to hassle with hacks and missing visual voicemail etc. I am just going to switch to AT&T for iPhone 2.0.
I would be willing to pay more for a phone though if there were no contract. Can we do a poll on that for people here in the US anyone???
I would be willing to pay more for a phone though if there were no contract. Can we do a poll on that for people here in the US anyone???
50 months ago
Good: Other companies making good, affordable phones that bite into Apple's sales to remind them that they are not alone in the game. :p
I think that's what Apple did by creating the Iphone. It's giving the other providers a run for their money!
50 months ago
It was so predictable that this would happen. Anybody with any knowledge of mobile phone market in the EU and Asia would have known that it was just a matter of time before Apple would have to back down and curb its own greed. Apple thought it could push its model on the rest of the world but it overestimated how much people would be willing to compromise to own the iphone. In the process, it lost a lot of momentum and goodwill which is really a shame given what a nice product the iphone is. On the other hand, I'm sure the next version will be much better...good times ahead.
Looking forward to the near future and an unrestricted iphone!
Looking forward to the near future and an unrestricted iphone!
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