iPhone Alley have the scoop on O2 allowing UK iPhone owners to unlock their phones.
“UK iPhone owners subscribed to O2 will be allowed to unlock for other carriers, according to the CEO of O2′s parent company, Telefonica Europe. “Once the iPhone becomes available on other UK networks,” says Matthew Key, “we will allow O2 customers to unlock their iPhones, although of course they will still need to honour any outstanding contract period they have. At the end of their contract period, they are entirely free to move to another operator — though naturally we hope they won’t want to!”"
“Competing wireless carrier Orange is set to begin carrying the iPhone on November 10th, while provider Vodafone will join sales in early 2010. O2 has held exclusive UK rights to the iPhone since 2007, and until now has not needed an unlocking policy, or formally announced one. It is common for companies in regions with multiple iPhone carriers to allow switching services if there are no contractual obligations. “
This has to be good news for UK O2 contract customers, many might wish to change to Orange who have a much larger 3G network coverage in the UK, but I’m not sure what this will mean for PAYG customers with O2. Will they be able to unlock too?
Share this story
