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Using an iPhone in another country; unlocking options?

post #1 of 29
8/24/09 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
I'm going to be living in Taiwan for the next 9 months learning Mandarin and would like to use my Canadian iphone while I'm here. Obviously I'm not going to be paying roaming so I wanted to use my Taiwanese SIM from my Chinese phone.

I would still like to be able to do software and firmware updates. What are my options for unlocking an iphone? Has anyone used IphoneUnlocking? TurboSIM? Are they still available and are they any other options?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 29
8/24/09 at 10:16pm
What version do you have - 3G, 3GS? http://www.iclarified.com/tutorials/iphone/index.php
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post #3 of 29
8/24/09 at 10:46pm
just curious... can you get prepaid data+voice plans in other countries? iPhone isn't quite an iPhone without data.
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post #4 of 29
8/24/09 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
just curious... can you get prepaid data+voice plans in other countries? iPhone isn't quite an iPhone without data.

If you have constant wireless it's not so bad. I'm using my sister's old 2G since she got the 3GS. I'm waiting for the TP2 to come to AT&T which is why I haven't gotten a new phone yet. I don't see the sense in paying for a slow-ass EDGE connection and I'm in the freaking hospital all day with wireless so I can get by except for the odd time I'm on the road and want to look something up with Google Maps.
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post #5 of 29
8/25/09 at 12:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
just curious... can you get prepaid data+voice plans in other countries? iPhone isn't quite an iPhone without data.

Of course, the US actually has some of the worst coverage and cell phone costs in the world.

It usually comes out cheaper than a data plan in the US. I'm not sure what average data usage you guys end up with in the states, but 500mb is $20 in Saudi, and you can get more or less if you want ($27 for 1GB, $12 for 250MB) and recharge during the month if you end up using it all up. That's on a pre-paid plan, post paid (like most US users) is cheaper.
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post #6 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kookz View Post
Of course, the US actually has some of the worst coverage and cell phone costs in the world.

It usually comes out cheaper than a data plan in the US. I'm not sure what average data usage you guys end up with in the states, but 500mb is $20 in Saudi, and you can get more or less if you want ($27 for 1GB, $12 for 250MB) and recharge during the month if you end up using it all up. That's on a pre-paid plan, post paid (like most US users) is cheaper.

lol, I just looked it up at AT&T who is my provider and it's $20 for 100 MB on prepaid.

Cell service/providers in the US suck balls.
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post #7 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
lol, I just looked it up at AT&T who is my provider and it's $20 for 100 MB on prepaid.

Cell service/providers in the US suck balls.

Yeah, I've got AT&T pre-paid in the US and it's miserable. It's cheaper for me to send and receive a text message from my Saudi pre-paid card while internationally roaming than it is to send/receive one from AT&T since they charge for incoming (a ridiculous concept).

I also don't get service outside of my gf's Chicago office, but I get 3G on offshore oil rigs in the Persian Gulf.
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post #8 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
Cell service/providers in the US suck balls.
You should come to Canada. I'm surprised they're not still selling Startacs.

I've got a 3G if that helps. I really don't want to jailbreak the phone, just unlock it. What have you guys done?
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post #9 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:54am
If you are worried about fucking something up, every little mobile store in Taiwan is going to offer iPhone unlocking for a nominal fee, FYI.
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post #10 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron View Post
You should come to Canada. I'm surprised they're not still selling Startacs.

I've got a 3G if that helps. I really don't want to jailbreak the phone, just unlock it. What have you guys done?

My phone is currently jailbroken as I am on AT&T and don't need to unlock.

However I have unlocked and jailbroken a 3G for my father.
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post #11 of 29
8/25/09 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroStyles View Post
If you are worried about fucking something up, every little mobile store in Taiwan is going to offer iPhone unlocking for a nominal fee, FYI.

http://www.iclarified.com/entries/in...scid=11&seid=1

It really is quite easy to do but as MetroSexual says above, you can probably pay someone over there to do it for not too much.
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post #12 of 29
8/25/09 at 2:11am
Will you be laughed at for having such a basic and slow phone?

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post #13 of 29
8/25/09 at 2:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim View Post
Will you be laughed at for having such a basic and slow phone?


I was surprised to read on Engadget recently that in July the iPhone was the number one selling handset in Japan (I know OP is going to Taiwan).
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post #14 of 29
8/25/09 at 2:13am
BTW all these asses like TokyoSlim who pretend the iPhone is looked down upon in Asia are bullshitting. I was just there and most people think it's a pretty sweet phone, even there. Maybe not in Japan, but in other countries yes.
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post #15 of 29
8/25/09 at 2:25am
Its a fashion accessory, of course its popular in Japan. And probably most of Asia. I never said it wasn't. It is still a quaint and underpowered phone there though.
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