Officially unlocked iPhone 3G

[Blaze]

Hello!
I am about to get an iPhone 3G from Belgium's operator Mobistar. It is officially sold unlocked (by the manufacturer) because of the local legislation, which forbids selling locked devices. It's coming on a very hefty price of 615 Euro for the 16GB Black version, so I would like to know if I still need to do Activation even if I am not required to sign up a contract with that operator.
Furthermore, If I make activation in Belgium, is is possible after that to use the phone in another country with another operator (reminder: the phone is not sim-locked)?
I would appreciate very much any thoughts on the matter.

Cheers! :smile:

[Rip]

I'm considering the same thing but can't get over to Belgium before December.

Please post your experience here when you've got it.

There was someone selling Begian iPhones on EBay for a while and the listing said it would all work fine.

In the UK, at the end of contract operators have to give you the unlock code/unlock it for you if you request it so my thinking is that there'd be no need to activate. It would be just like using an iPod with iTunes.

[Blaze]

Hi, Rip!
I've seen quite many people selling Belgium phones on eBay's Belgium site. My confusion comes from exactly those descriptions. Some of the sellers say for example "...Brand new, officially unlocked, sim-free, contract free, only opened for activation..."
Others say the same, without the activation part, instead they say "...Unopened/sealed/original box...". So I'm confused...
Do I need to activate in Belgium or I can do it in any other Country with the corresponding version of iTunes??!

Cheers!

[Rip]

Hmmm!

Have a look at this post (http://www.modmyifone.com/forums/general-iphone-chat/268191-important-info-needed-people-having-officialy-unlocked-iphone-3g-2.html#post1747071).

I'm going to Singapore in September for the Grand Prix so I'll have a look at getting one there.

What do you think the Mobistar return policy is?

I'd ask them if it will work in the UK, then buy one and whip out my laptop and attempt to sync. If it works with the UK iTunes store then I'd be good to go. If it doesn't I'd hand it straight back for a refund without leaving the store!

[Blaze]

Hi, Rip!

Thanks for the link man! It sounds really reassuring! I have no idea what the return policy of Mobistar is. I'm in Sweden, and here I can return it without any problem if I'm not satisfied. No idea how things are in Belgium though...
The laptop idea - brilliant! I wouldn't have thought about it! :-)
Regrding your trip to Singapore - no idea how is there, but I know for sure how it is in Hong Kong. The operator there "3" really sells completely unlocked devices. BUT, they will ask you to sign for a 2 year contract/pay off the contract in advance, before they actually hand over the device to you. They've found a loophole in the law and they are exployting it to the fullest.
Good luck though, and keep us informed about how it goes!

Cheers! :smile:

[Geo]

I think the thing to do is to get it activated at the store before you get it. That way all the difficulties are overcome.

I am waiting to go Italy to get one unlocked also.

Geo