Starting tomorrow, UK wireless carrier will begin offering to unlock its customers' iPhones, allowing them to be used on any compatible network. The move comes as rival carrier Orange begins selling the iPhone there.
O2 will be offering unlocking for both customers on monthly prepaid plans and on pay-as-you-go plans. Customers under contract for monthly prepaid plans will be able to have their iPhones unlocked at any time and may move their device to another network whenever they wish. Customers will be responsible for fulfilling the remainder of their O2 contract, however, as the carrier requires that revenue to make up for upfront handset subsidies offered at the time of purchase. Customers on pay-as-you-go plans may have their iPhones unlocked 12 months after purchase for a one-time 15 fee.
iPhone unlocking requires that users fill out an online form to request the unlock, a process than can take up to 14 days.
