Apple iPhone
iPhone + T-Mobile in USA (no hacks)?
Apple announced its pending release of iPhone in Germany under T-Mobile.
Since I know you can buy an iPhone in the USA and take it to Europe to use with ATT (and others?), will German iPhones be able to use T-Mobile in the USA?
Anyone *know* if this will be possible? Reasons, people, reasons why it would or would not work?
(If you're just offering speculation don't bother... I've already done that!) 🙂
Thanks,
Awk!
Since I know you can buy an iPhone in the USA and take it to Europe to use with ATT (and others?), will German iPhones be able to use T-Mobile in the USA?
Anyone *know* if this will be possible? Reasons, people, reasons why it would or would not work?
(If you're just offering speculation don't bother... I've already done that!) 🙂
Thanks,
Awk!
...
you will get 'SIM LOCK' error. The reason is TM- Europe is officially a different company and network even though its owned by DT. Every PLMN has its own PLMN ID code on its sim cards (much like a bank's routing number)
The Europe version would have to include the TM USA PLMN (and it Will not) therefore it will be Locked.
It's all marketing. So we will have to either gp with AT&T or use a hacked version.
The Europe version would have to include the TM USA PLMN (and it Will not) therefore it will be Locked.
It's all marketing. So we will have to either gp with AT&T or use a hacked version.
...
ATT customers in US can take their iPhone to Europe and use it (I think they have to buy a SIM for local use). How about German tourists & business travelers to the US? How do they use it here? I can't imagine that they cannot do so...
Thanks,
FP
Thanks,
FP
...
yes the at&t version works in Europe with the USA Sim and its roaming off the European carriers. But it is still SIM LOCKED to at&t.
The only way it will work with another carriers sim is if the phone is hacked or unlocked.
The only way it will work with another carriers sim is if the phone is hacked or unlocked.
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What do European travelers to USA do with their (non-Apple) GSM phones? Can't they use them here?
I'm trying to understand if the iPhone is the only one that can't be used "internationally"...
FP
I'm trying to understand if the iPhone is the only one that can't be used "internationally"...
FP
...
All the Carriers buy these phones from the diff manufacturers and sell them subsidised to us. They can choose to have them sim locked or not and 'cripple' or enable any of the phones features. That's why they have contracts, etc.
So to address your question, If the phone is 'Locked' it will not work on any other carriers sim unless its unlocked. (this is assuming technology wise its compatible... ie GSM 850, 1900 USA - GSM 900,1800 Europe)
The US version Iphone does work internationally, but it still is using the American ATT sim and therefore the person is paying int'l roaming. Unless they hacked it then they can put in any GSM sim card.
What I am trying to convey is the phone is technology wise compatible overseas (quad band GSM...
(continues)
So to address your question, If the phone is 'Locked' it will not work on any other carriers sim unless its unlocked. (this is assuming technology wise its compatible... ie GSM 850, 1900 USA - GSM 900,1800 Europe)
The US version Iphone does work internationally, but it still is using the American ATT sim and therefore the person is paying int'l roaming. Unless they hacked it then they can put in any GSM sim card.
What I am trying to convey is the phone is technology wise compatible overseas (quad band GSM...
(continues)
...
OK, that's clear.
I have heard that some carriers will, when customers request to unlock their phone ("I'm traveling to USA for an extended vacation") have provided unlocking instructions. Like you say, it's up to the provider, and some phones (ie, Motorola, Nokia) unlocking instructions are public knowledge, and the mfr usually doesn't update firmware such that it would break an unlocked phone.
Thanks for the explanation.
FP
I have heard that some carriers will, when customers request to unlock their phone ("I'm traveling to USA for an extended vacation") have provided unlocking instructions. Like you say, it's up to the provider, and some phones (ie, Motorola, Nokia) unlocking instructions are public knowledge, and the mfr usually doesn't update firmware such that it would break an unlocked phone.
Thanks for the explanation.
FP
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