French ‘unlocked’ iPhones are not really unlocked!

It turns out that the officially (Apple-sanctioned) unlocked iPhone you bought for 649 Euros (about US$965) from Orange in France — which, according to some reports, accounts for up to 20% of total iPhone sales in France — is not really unlocked.

It retains a country lock, meaning the device will only allow use of SIM cards for carriers that operate in France. In other words, you can’t take your French, “unlocked” iPhone to Spain, the United States, or anywhere else, pop in a foreign SIM card, and make calls on a local carrier — you’re still stuck paying international roaming fees to your French carrier.

Attempting to use a foreign SIM card with one of these partially-unlocked phones will result in an inability to make phone calls, use SMS functionality, etc.

 votes, average: 0 out of 5 votes, average: 0 out of 5 votes, average: 0 out of 5 votes, average: 0 out of 5 votes, average: 0 out of 5 (Post Rating: 0 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Bookmark and share ' French ‘unlocked’ iPhones are not really unlocked! '

Posted: Friday, December 14th, 2007
Tagged: France, Orange, iPhone Unlock

Comment on French ‘unlocked’ iPhones are not really unlocked!