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What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

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Old 12-06-2008, 3:08 PM   #1
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What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Does anyone know? I assume I could still use it as a wi-fi & Ipod touch device... or would it be a brick?

Cheers
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Old 12-06-2008, 3:12 PM   #2
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Think i read somewhere that 02 unlock it for you.Of course you could just unlock it yourself
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Old 12-06-2008, 6:27 PM   #3
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Quote:
Originally Posted by coops233 View Post
Does anyone know? I assume I could still use it as a wi-fi & Ipod touch device... or would it be a brick?

Cheers
Your contract doesn't end at 18 months. 18 months is the minimum term you are contracted to, so when you get to 18 months you can just carry on as normal. You have the ability to upgrade and sign a new contract for another 18 months, you have the option to cancel and you have the option to do nothing at all, just keep on paying your line rental

Therefore, nothing happens at 18 months. You carry on exactly the same as you have been for the last 18 months, just with more freedom.
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Old 18-06-2008, 10:27 AM   #4
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

OK but what if I did the following scenario -

Buy the new 3G Iphone @ £99 with the new contract
Cancel my old contract and sell my Iphone as an Ipod touch? Or keep it for myself as a second Iphone/Ipod touch?

Would that work? Basically I dont wanna cancel the contract and have a £269 brick.

I assume once I cancel my contract I can do what I want with the Iphone..... Apart from calls and using the EDGE/GPRS network.

Thanks
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Old 18-06-2008, 10:48 AM   #5
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

There is another option - stick a PAYG sim in the old iPhone. To quote O2s Website:

Don't need 2 iPhones!

We want to make sure you find a good home for your existing iPhone once you upgrade. If you've a friend or family member already on an eligible O2 tariff, they'll be able to transfer to one of our new tariffs for iPhone. If they're not already with O2 or on an eligible O2 tariff, they could get one of our new iPhone Pay & Go SIM cards.
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Old 18-06-2008, 11:20 AM   #6
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Apparantly unless you have an active sim in the iphone you cannot use any of the features not even the ipod function.
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Old 18-06-2008, 3:16 PM   #7
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tigermad View Post
Apparantly unless you have an active sim in the iphone you cannot use any of the features not even the ipod function.
Where did you here this from?

That kinda sucks if thats true. If thats the case I will not get the new 3G one. I own the Iphone so it annoys me some company telling me what I can do with it!
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Old 18-06-2008, 6:07 PM   #8
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

At the end of this contract your'e iPhone will self destruct......18.......17.......16.......
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Old 18-06-2008, 8:18 PM   #9
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

weell I'd say its easy to proove or dismiss the theory of if your iphone will work with no active sim in it by simply removing your sim. In fact I'll try it in a min I'm just currently using it to read and post this LOL
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Old 18-06-2008, 8:27 PM   #10
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

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Originally Posted by Daddy k View Post
weell I'd say its easy to proove or dismiss the theory of if your iphone will work with no active sim in it by simply removing your sim. In fact I'll try it in a min I'm just currently using it to read and post this LOL
well I just took the sim out and restarted the phone and all was fine including the iPod functions
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Old 18-06-2008, 8:45 PM   #11
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

I read it on the internet ages ago. Looks like it was a load of tosh. Unless it only works when its been added to itunes first?
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Old 18-06-2008, 11:02 PM   #12
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Quote:
Originally Posted by coops233 View Post
OK but what if I did the following scenario -

Buy the new 3G Iphone @ £99 with the new contract
Cancel my old contract and sell my Iphone as an Ipod touch? Or keep it for myself as a second Iphone/Ipod touch?

Would that work? Basically I dont wanna cancel the contract and have a £269 brick.

I assume once I cancel my contract I can do what I want with the Iphone..... Apart from calls and using the EDGE/GPRS network.

Thanks
I can tell you that the EU has a law in regards to this, your phone is unlocked by the operator for free so that you can use it with another operator!
As you have already paid for the phone, there was something similar in germany in regards to iphone, where dif. operator try to stop another from not selling it and they they were obliged to ahve it sim free version at the time, if i have more time will post the actual article on this matter.
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Old 19-06-2008, 6:12 PM   #13
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Re: What happens to the Iphone when the 18mth contract expires?

Quote:
Originally Posted by hmsq View Post
I can tell you that the EU has a law in regards to this, your phone is unlocked by the operator for free so that you can use it with another operator!
As you have already paid for the phone, there was something similar in germany in regards to iphone, where dif. operator try to stop another from not selling it and they they were obliged to ahve it sim free version at the time, if i have more time will post the actual article on this matter.
That was Vodafone kicking up a stink about the exclusivity deal and stopped TBag from locking the handsets. It's also what prompted Vodafone to stop locking their own handsets, as they had to be seen to be practising what they preach.

However, you'll have to jump through hoops, fight, fight and fight some more to get UK networks to unlock the phone for free. They will do it, but they will charge unless you battle with them to get it done and provide the evidence that proves the law is on your side.

Sad, but true.
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