3g iPhone on Three?

randomer

I have been reading on the web that in Italy the 3g iPhone will be released as an open phone, "without a revenue sharing deal and without long-term exclusivity".

If this is the case, will it mean I will be able to use an iPhone with three?

Bard

Well O2 still have the deal with Apple, so presumably it will still be locked to their network, although if you get it unlocked (and considering it's 3G compatible) it should work fine with the 3 network. You'll have to put on the settings yourself in this case.

culabula

Bard wrote: »

Well O2 still have the deal with Apple, so presumably it will still be locked to their network, although if you get it unlocked (and considering it's 3G compatible) it should work fine with the 3 network. You'll have to put on the settings yourself in this case.

I thought he meant getting one in Italy where allegedly it will be unlocked (TIM never lock their phones) and where Italians do not like expensive phones and restrictive deals. If he gets one of those, network unlocked, then yes, it will work with 3 as it will be a UMTS handset.

randomer

Thanks for the feedback. I would consider buying one in Italy, but it looks to me (based on what I have read online) that the model that Apple are going to use for the 3G iPhone is going to change.

culabula

randomer wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. I would consider buying one in Italy, but it looks to me (based on what I have read online) that the model that Apple are going to use for the 3G iPhone is going to change.

But that's good, no?

randomer

Thats awesome! I would love an iPhone, but I wouldn't switch to O2.

culabula

randomer wrote: »

Thats awesome! I would love an iPhone, but I wouldn't switch to O2.

Well, get one from TIM in Italy and stick a 3IRL SIM in it.......

rockman15

guys im living here for a while...i read the article yesterday in the paper. th iPhone willbe initally launhced to TIM as a preferential contract and then a few weeks later to other retailers. it will be unlocked. 3G. nothing mentioned about he price. however iPhones are massivly popular here. they have loads of other phones of similar capability. N95's are very popular you see too and ridiculously cheap.

ETA for iPhone is June

tinkerbell

Is the ETA for the 3G iPhone still June? I really want to get one but want to wait for the new one. My dad is obsessed with getting the iPhone! I've had a really hard time trying to convince him to wait for the new one to come out!

1huge1

Improve the camera quality and i'd be interested, how cheap do the italiens get the phone's anyway

grey squirrel

culabula wrote: »

I thought he meant getting one in Italy where allegedly it will be unlocked (TIM never lock their phones) and where Italians do not like expensive phones and restrictive deals. If he gets one of those, network unlocked, then yes, it will work with 3 as it will be a UMTS handset.

Are all prepay and contract TIM phones unlocked?

I'm heading to Italy at the end of next month

culabula

It was certainly a legal requirement that phones be unlocked in Italy. Years ago, the model was not that of the UK, where phones are heavily subsidised and then you get locked into a never ending contract cycle, but that you paid the price for the phone and then paid reasonable prices for the calls. Many of those attitudes remain and phones are typically not locked on TIM. I for one will be getting one the second they are released in Italy, Belgium or France, whichever comes first. In any case, I believe when the 3G iPhone comes, with a massive worldwide release, that Apple will review their business model. You can't be paying hundreds of € for what is effectively OSX in your hand with voice and not use it as you see fit.