Poor financial judgement

[toddan]

FYI. Clearly AT&T does not want to earn money on locked iPhones from non-US residents. Even though there is a leakage of locked AT&T phones to foreign countries, AT&T is not bothering with providing an unlock option against a hefty service charge. I guess they may loose some potential revenues but are too cash rich to bother...

-from chat discussion with AT&T rep.

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T: I have an AT&T iPhone (3G) which I purchased new on Ebay. I was informed by the seller that the subscription was cancelled and that the phone was unlocked. However, the phone is still locked to AT&T. I reside in Norway and hence cannot use the phone (i.e. it will never be used with an AT&T sim card). Is it possible to unlock the phone assuming I pay an unlock fee/charge to AT&T?

Amanda Johnson: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat.

Amanda Johnson: My name is Amanda , I will be happy to assist you.

Amanda Johnson: I will be glad to answer your questions about unlocking the new I phone 3G.

T: thanks

Amanda Johnson: I am sorry however we do not release unlock codes for the I phones.

Amanda Johnson: Is there anything else I can help you with today?

T: no. that is all. Any potential change in policy going forward?

T: not even against a cancellation charge?

Amanda Johnson: Not that I am aware of. I am sorry. The I phone is one of the phones that we do not release the unlock codes for.

T: ok, thanks and have a good day.

Amanda Johnson: Have a good day.

Amanda Johnson: Thank you for visiting the AT&T Live Support Chat.

Amanda Johnson: It has been my pleasure to assist you today, please click the close button to end your session.

Amanda Johnson: A customer satisfaction survey will automatically appear and we appreciate your feedback.

[cpjr]

If AT&T unlocks the phone....that means they make NO MONEY, AT&T ONLY makes money off of the SERVICE CONTRACTS, Apple makes all sales revenues AND also makes a chunk from every AT&T service contract attached to an Iphone.

AT&T and Apple also have an agreement to be the sole provider of this phone, Apple also has this agreement with EVERY carrier that provides the iphone, for this they receive revenues off of the service contracts.

So.....why would they give anyone an unlock code?????

[pokekid]

they do unlock phones but not the iphone. i got my old blackjack unlocked from them with a code.
you can unlock the iphone but its a sim unlock only right now and your best chance right now

[mastercyberjedi]

you can't unlock a 3g iphone yet anyway.

[pokekid]

^^ its called sim-unlock buddy and it works for the most part