Using the iPhone outside of the U.S.

[iChaddo]

Hey. I live in the Caribbean & I wish to buy an iPhone 3GS. I've heard that it is locked only to AT&T because of the subsidized fee. But I won't be using AT&T but instead, i will be using my own local provider.

1. If I order the iPhone 3GS form the online Apple Store with a new AT&T account & I use it in my country, will I be charged an international rate or the standard rate?

2. If I order it from the online store but unlock it & use my old SIM card, will I still have to pay the monthly fee even though I'm not using the AT&T services?

Thanks. Any answer is appreciated. :ok:ok

[Cjvdh]

You would be better off buying one just online like eBay, craigslist or finding someone who has one for sale and then just jailbreak and unlock the phone. That way you don't have to go through all that BS of going through apple and AT&T. Just my 0.02 cents.

[Mojorisen]

I agree with Cj here. You could also search for one that is already unlocked, or factory unlocked. That way, you should be able to just drop in your current SIM and be good to go.

[Sako]

iChaddo, if you buy the iPhone with a plan, know that when you stop the plan you have to pay a penalty.

I bought my 3GS from Canada but without plan (still it was much cheaper than iPhone in my home country) and it was locked with a provider. I just unlocked it and I'm using it now in my country with my SIM card.

[iChaddo]

iChaddo, if you buy the iPhone with a plan, know that when you stop the plan you have to pay a penalty.

I bought my 3GS from Canada but without plan (still it was much cheaper than iPhone in my home country) and it was locked with a provider. I just unlocked it and I'm using it now in my country with my SIM card.

How much was this penalty??

[SkyyBoy]

best to get a factory unlocked iPhone if you can afford it.
Just pop in your SIM card (any SIM card) and go. You may need to manually enter your carrier settings (APN, etc) to get data.
You can view the full list of countries that sell unlocked iPhones at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
You can buy them on eBay (ones from Hong Kong are usually the cheapest).

[Sako]

How much was this penalty??

I didn't check it since it was in my last week in Canada that I decided to get the iPhone. But I don't think it will be cheaper than the one without plan since everybody will buy it with plan and cancel it the next day ;)