A petition to sell the iPhone 3G unlocked

bargsbeer · Oct 17, 2008

I came across this petition online from another site. If buying an unlocked iPhone 3G interests you then you might want to look into it.

Sign the Unlock iPhone 3G Petition

lifeafter2am · Oct 17, 2008

The problem with this is that AT&T is subsidizing the phones, meaning that they pay for them in part, hence why: 1) they are locked; 2) they are much cheaper than the non-3G versions.

No reason not to sign it if you want to see it happen, but just saying.

baggss · Oct 17, 2008

Considering the fact that, in the US, Apple is in an exclusive contract with AT&T this seems a bit unlikely.

bargsbeer · Oct 17, 2008

I'm sure it is unlikely. I guess if it makes you feel better venting your frustration go for it. I can why people in the U.S. would want the phone available for other carriers and frankly I agree with them and it makes sense to make the phone available to other carriers.

Lifeisabeach · Oct 17, 2008

I read an article recently that the government is looking into this arrangement with AT&T as a possible antitrust violation. IIRC, cell phone makers are required by law to enable a phone to be used with any compatible carrier after a 2-year contract, or something to that effect. Of course, the iPhone hasn't existed for 2 years yet, so we'll yet see what Apple plans to do. The whole 5-year exclusivity thing with AT&T supposedly is pure rumor... never having been confirmed by either party.

Doug b · Oct 17, 2008

Quite frankly, it's a dumb idea in the U.S. The "other" carrier which does SIM cards is T-Mobile, and they suck. Their network is lousy. It's not like there are lots of choices to go with other than TMo and ATT.... Besides, you can get any phone you want, unlocked. You'll simply pay more for it. That's how it's always been, and likely always will be in the States, until they implement a system like they have in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

bargsbeer · Oct 17, 2008

Doug b said:
Quite frankly, it's a dumb idea in the U.S. The "other" carrier which does SIM cards is T-Mobile, and they suck. Their network is lousy. It's not like there are lots of choices to go with other than TMo and ATT.... Besides, you can get any phone you want, unlocked. You'll simply pay more for it. That's how it's always been, and likely always will be in the States, until they implement a system like they have in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

You may be able to buy most phones unlocked in the U.S. but Apple& At&t are not selling the iPhone unlocked in the U.S. for any amount of money. Regardless if Tmobile' network is lousy. It's still a choice there is a reason that millions of people have chosen to unlock these phones and take them to that lousy network. I will agree Tmobile not the greatest but At&t is not much better . they weren't even Apples first choice for a carrier.

Kash · Oct 17, 2008

Doug b said:
Quite frankly, it's a dumb idea in the U.S. The "other" carrier which does SIM cards is T-Mobile, and they suck. Their network is lousy. It's not like there are lots of choices to go with other than TMo and ATT.... Besides, you can get any phone you want, unlocked. You'll simply pay more for it. That's how it's always been, and likely always will be in the States, until they implement a system like they have in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

Ding ding ding, and we have a winner!!

There's no reason to whine about the iPhone being locked. T-Mobile sucks, hands down. And yes, AT&T IS much better than T-Mobile in terms of coverage and network speed. Trust me, if AT&T had turned down Apple, no way Apple would have gone to T-Mobile, but rather have acquiesced to either Verizon's or AT&T's demands.

bargsbeer · Oct 17, 2008

Kash said:
Ding ding ding, and we have a winner!!

There's no reason to whine about the iPhone being locked. T-Mobile sucks, hands down. And yes, AT&T IS much better than T-Mobile in terms of coverage and network speed. Trust me, if AT&T had turned down Apple, no way Apple would have gone to T-Mobile, but rather have acquiesced to either Verizon's or AT&T's demands.

Are you drinking the Apple kool-aide ?
what your saying is that people need to just suck it up and pay At&t outrageous monthly plan fees? I have tmobile and service is excellent where I live. either carrier is going to suck in certain parts of the country.Just because Apple says At&t is the best choice doesn't mean thats the case.

lifeafter2am · Oct 17, 2008

Kash said:
Ding ding ding, and we have a winner!!

There's no reason to whine about the iPhone being locked. T-Mobile sucks, hands down. And yes, AT&T IS much better than T-Mobile in terms of coverage and network speed. Trust me, if AT&T had turned down Apple, no way Apple would have gone to T-Mobile, but rather have acquiesced to either Verizon's or AT&T's demands.

I agree 100%, ATT has the best coverage of anyone (especially 3G). I have never once complained about my signal, no matter where I have gone. I even get service over on the beach and the barrier islands (where no one has service).

And their prices are not that bad. I mean, come on, do we not all here own computers that are much more expensive than most other people?

Kash · Oct 17, 2008

bargsbeer said:
Are you drinking the Apple kool-aide ?
what your saying is that people need to just suck it up and pay At&t outrageous monthly plan fees? I have tmobile and service is excellent where I live. either carrier is going to suck in certain parts of the country.Just because Apple says At&t is the best choice doesn't mean thats the case.

No, it's a little something called reality. Time to get out of fairy land where you think a little petition is going to change a multi-billion dollar business model

baggss · Oct 17, 2008

This thread suddenly got fun!

lifeisabeach said:
I read an article recently that the government is looking into this arrangement with AT&T as a possible antitrust violation. IIRC, cell phone makers are required by law to enable a phone to be used with any compatible carrier after a 2-year contract, or something to that effect. Of course, the iPhone hasn't existed for 2 years yet, so we'll yet see what Apple plans to do. The whole 5-year exclusivity thing with AT&T supposedly is pure rumor... never having been confirmed by either party.

Pure Rumor?

lifeafter2am · Oct 17, 2008

Kash said:
No, it's a little something called reality. Time to get out of fairy land where you think a little petition is going to change a multi-billion dollar business model

LMAO!!!!

Eric559 · Oct 17, 2008

Kash said:
No, it's a little something called reality. Time to get out of fairy land where you think a little petition is going to change a multi-billion dollar business model

Haha.

I wanted to give you rep but the forum says I must spread it around a bit!

cwa107 · Oct 18, 2008

Folks, keep it civil please. We don't mind a heated discussion, but threads that break down into petty squabbling will be closed.

bargsbeer · Oct 18, 2008

Kash said:
No, it's a little something called reality. Time to get out of fairy land where you think a little petition is going to change a multi-billion dollar business model

I never said a petition is going to change anything. I am not a sheep who is just going to conform because it's a "multi-billion dollar business model" That's ok the world needs people like you.

baggss · Oct 18, 2008

bargsbeer said:
I never said a petition is going to change anything. I am not a sheep who is just going to conform because it's a "multi-billion dollar business model" That's ok the world needs people like you.

I love it when people like to clam to be "independent minded" or "non-conformist". Buying an iPhone certainly scream "I'm different", doesn't it? It always makes me laugh. I hope you can keep your optimism in life bargsbeer, no matter how misplaced it may be.

Kash · Oct 18, 2008

bargsbeer said:
I never said a petition is going to change anything. I am not a sheep who is just going to conform because it's a "multi-billion dollar business model" That's ok the world needs people like you.

Who, realists? I would certainly hope so. We wouldn't want no hippies running the place.

lifeafter2am · Oct 18, 2008

baggss said:
I love it when people like to clam to be "independent minded" or "non-conformist". Buying an iPhone certainly scream "I'm different", doesn't it? It always makes me laugh. I hope you can keep your optimism in life bargsbeer, no matter how misplaced it may be.

Do you CLAM to be a lot of things? lol.

bargsbeer · Oct 18, 2008

Kash said:
Who, realists? I would certainly hope so. We wouldn't want no hippies running the place.

Boy you certainly have it all figured out. I am going to sleep better tonight.