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AT&T Unlocking In-Contract iPhones for Deployed Service Members

Monday April 9, 2012 7:36 pm PDT by Jordan Golson

This weekend, AT&T began unlocking iPhones for off-contract customers. This allows the iPhone be used with a SIM-card from overseas carriers, or T-Mobile in the U.S. In addition to unlocking phones for off-contract customers, AT&T is also quietly unlocking iPhones for U.S. service members still under contract with the carrier.

Carriers are required by federal law to suspend service without penalty for deployed military personnel upon presentation of their military orders, but AT&T is not required to unlock the phones of deployed service members. Instead, the company is choosing to do that on its own.

AT&T declined to comment, but we have independently confirmed that AT&T is unlocking phones for service members upon request. Deployed soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines should contact AT&T customer service to get more information about having their iPhones unlocked.

Thanks Taylor! (Photo courtesy Otterbox)
[ 177 comments ]


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jlgolson
86 months ago

Except there isn't much cell service in Afghanistan, but the thought is nice. Good on you guys!

Yeah, but lots of cell service in the UK, Germany, Italy, Turkey and any number of other countries where the US military is sent.
Rating: 23 Votes
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wordoflife
86 months ago
Another right move by AT&T. Thanks.
Rating: 19 Votes
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Schmitty11
86 months ago
Good for AT&T :)
Rating: 18 Votes
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koobcamuk
86 months ago
Now the war on terror can be fought without roaming charges. Fantastic.
Rating: 17 Votes
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swb1192
86 months ago

Except there isn't much cell service in Afghanistan, but the thought is nice. Good on you guys!


The US military is deployed throughout the globe, not just Afghanistan.
Rating: 17 Votes
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Mr. Gates
86 months ago
NICE !

But AT&T is still evil.
Rating: 15 Votes
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donga
86 months ago
nice step in going above and beyond.
Rating: 14 Votes
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r.j.s
86 months ago

uhh why does ATT give service members special treatment? there are plenty of hardworking people here at home whose jobs are just as important as the soldiers. knowing that ATT can unlock in-contract phones at any time and not doing it for everyone is another reason they are a *****ty company.


Most people's jobs don't drag them halfway around the world on short notice for long periods of time.
Rating: 10 Votes
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r.j.s
86 months ago
Now that I think about it, T-Mobile unlocked my phone for a deployment to Iraq 6 years ago ... The phone didn't work well with Iraqna, but still.
Rating: 9 Votes
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RalfTheDog
86 months ago

uhh why does ATT give service members special treatment? there are plenty of hardworking people here at home whose jobs are just as important as the soldiers. knowing that ATT can unlock in-contract phones at any time and not doing it for everyone is another reason they are a *****ty company.


When is the last time someone tried to kill you while you were doing your job and protecting the Constitution of the United States?
Rating: 9 Votes

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