News Forum Phone database

> New Topic
> Topic Locked
Esato Forum Index > General discussions > Other manufacturers > iPhone unlocking will 02. Apple and CPW have to? Bookmark topic

Hi all,

If and when you buy a normal phone and get it at a subsidised price you don't get the phone until you have signed the contract and passed credit checking etc and therefore the device forms part of your contract and if you cancel your contract within 14 days would indeed have to return the device.

The iPhone however is different you are buying it outright it is not subsidised and i am am sure if you buy it from the Apple store they won't have any contracts for you to sign. This is what people have been doing in the US buying an iPhone and then either activating and cancelling the AT&T contact and no one has been asked for their iPhones back. The only difference here is that we have a right to demand an unlock code.

So IMO you have bought and paid in full for a device that is not subsided but is locked to one Network. If you then you wish to use it along with another Networks Sim card you are entitled to request an unlock code is my understanding. I don't see how 02 are going to be able to refuse to unlock it for all of the reasons mentioned above.

Obviously i am not 100% sure of this and that is why i have thrown it open to the forum to gather opinions on what we think may or may not be possible.

But possibly by just following the US sales model 02 may have made a mistake and left themselves exposed to this potential problem. As with out a doubt IMO if after activating the iPhone you then cancel the contract 02 have no right to ask you to return the iPhone and refund your purchase price as you have bought it outright. Also i can't see how they can deactivate it either once it's activated that's it. So even if it's not unlocked you should be able to use a PAYG 02 Sim card and still demand an unlock code that they will have to sell you i don't see what choice they have.

This means you can buy and activate your iPhone then within 14 days cancel your expensive contract and put a PAYG Sim in. Then request your unlock code and once unlocked use your T-Mobile or what ever Network you choose to get cheaper Data and no long contract tie in.

I just don't see what 02 can do to stop this from happening can any of you?

Marc

_________________
Nokia E61, 2gb Sandisk, Fring, Tom Tom 6


Honoured to have won BEST DEBATER

[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2007-09-20 13:49 ]
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 14:47:37
Edit : Quote




[ This Message was edited by: mr miyagi on 2007-09-20 14:28 ]
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 14:56:27
Edit : Quote


You sign up for the contract through iTunes on your Mac or PC at home, not in store. You just get the phone from the store.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 15:05:43
Edit : Quote


Are you sure that you'll be signing up to the contract in store?

If so, that's different to how its done in the US, and different to what it says on the O2 and CPW web-sites.

To quote:

"Activation of iPhone and connection to the O2 network is different from any other device in the mobile market. You do it completely through iTunes on your computer. Getting a few things ready now means you'll be ready for iPhone when it arrives.

You sign up for your Pay Monthly tariff and contract as part of the activation process so just make sure that you have this information to hand when you are ready to activate your iPhone.

So that seems to me that you buy the phone for £269 from an Apple, CPW or O2 store, take it home and sign-up for the contract through iTunes as part of the activation process.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 15:09:30
Edit : Quote


If, however you cancel your contract, will they not also deactivate the phone in some way?

I understand exactly where Dogmann is coming from, however I think the best way to find out is to analyse the T&C's.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 15:22:06
Edit : Quote


This seems a VERY strange business model for a UK operator to adopt, as it is COMPLETELY different to ANY other model that has been in place before.

If correct, then you would have purchased an Iphone for £269, and could within your given statutory rights, cancel any contract with O2 within 14 days.

O2 are banking on people not cancelling, as the registration is part of the activation process.

I would say that this is a MASSIVELY stupid thing for O2 to do, if this is indeed the business model they have adopted, as they have paid apple a stupid amount of money to be the single carrier.

Seems stupid for them to adopt this philosophy, especially when if this is indeed the case, by law you are able to legally unlock the handset no prob whatsoever, permanently.
_________________
SE Unlocking/Debranding - www.seunlock.co.uk

[ This Message was edited by: seunlock-uk on 2007-09-20 17:22 ]
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 17:55:20
Edit : Quote


just a little note that noone seems to have mentioned, when you cancel your contract early dont you have to pay the remaining line rental? So even if they do unlock it (which it seems they may have to) your still gunna have to pay at least £600. seems stupid to cancel it if thats the case.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 19:17:07
Edit : Quote


Not if you cancel within 14 days!
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 19:20:25
Edit : Quote


As Nanu says, in the EU (and everywhere else I think) Consumers have Statutory Rights, which include a right to a 14 day cancellation period (money back guarantee).

This truly is a unique position if true, as never before has a carrier sold an unsubsidised handset.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 19:27:05
Edit : Quote




yes true but as its states on O2's website you have to return the handset if you do that

"Cancel/return my order

If you are unhappy with your purchase you can return it within 14 days. However, we are unable to accept any return or request for a replacement after 14 days from your date of purchase should you be unhappy with your choice of purchase.

Please read the information below and follow the instructions depending on where you purchased your mobile from.

Purchased from a store...

You should return your mobile to your point of sale with your proof of purchase.

Purchased via telesales or online...

Please ring our returns team and they shall advise you on what to do next on 0870 225 0208. Please have the following information ready when you call "

Also taken from O2's site is this

"Once you've got your iPhone, the next thing to do is activate it. This couldn't be simpler. All you have to do is enter into an 18 month Pay Monthly contract with O2 on one of our exclusive iPhone tariffs. These start at just £35 a month.

You need to be over 18, pass a credit check and have a bank account for the monthly direct debits. If you already have an iTunes account, perfect. If you have to create one, you'll need a debit or credit card. And an email address you access regularly because billing is online only.

You sign up for your Pay Monthly tariff and contract as part of the activation process so just make sure that you have this information to hand when you are ready to activate your iPhone."

hence you HAVE to sign up to an O2 contract to activate the iphone. Once you do that your stuck to the usual terms and conditions that apply to mobile contracts so your options are this 1. Cancel within 14 days and you have to return the phone. 2. Buyout the contract, pay the (roughly) £600 and then do what you will with the phone. 3. Dont bother cus the iphone's a bit pants.
--
Posted: 2007-09-20 19:50:22
Edit : Quote

---

New Topic   Topic Locked

Forum Index