Unlocked iPhones for UK?

UK customers waiting to purchase Apple's iPhone today when the device hits store shelves are required to sign up for an 18-month contract with wireless carrier O2, but those looking for an unlocked version of Apple's handset might be able to wait and purchase an unlocked device in France. French telecommunications law states that all mobile phones must be offered to customers unlocked -- making every handset usable with any compatible wireless carrier. Apple is likely eying several options to discourage or prevent UK customers from traveling to France in the hopes of purchasing an unlocked iPhone, according to Telegraph.co.uk.

French law ensures that residents of that country will be able to purchase unlocked iPhones directly there. UK customers traveling to France could, in theory, also purchase those unlocked iPhones to avoid entering into a binding contract with Apple's exclusive UK cellular carrier, O2.

Some believe Apple is working closely with Orange to enact safeguards against UK residents purchasing unlocked iPhones in France. Analyst Ben Woods of CSS Insight says Apple will likely make it extremely difficult for "iPhone tourists" to purchase unlocked phones, and lists three potential solutions for the Cupertino-based company.

One strategy could involve pricing unlocked French iPhones substantially higher than locked handsets, which would discourage customers both inside and outside of France from purchasing unlocked phones. That option could clash with French law, however, as many could see higher pricing on unlocked iPhones as a means of bypassing the prospect of customer choice.

Apple might also ship unlocked iPhones with support for the French language only, making the device unusable by all non-native language speakers.

A third potential involves unlocking the iPhones for all cellular carriers within France only, thereby enabling French customers to purchase and use iPhones with any local carrier but preventing foreigners from snatching up the devices and using them with carriers of their own choosing elsewhere. French law is unclear, however, about whether unlocked phones must work on any network around the globe or just those networks available in France.

by MacNN Staff