News
Unlocked iPhones sold by Orange not ‘country locked’
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Friday, December 14, 2007
News Category: iPhone
Contrary to a claim published today, iLounge has confirmed with Orange that unlocked iPhones sold by the company are not limited to French-only SIM cards. A story claimed that unlocked iPhones sold by Orange were somehow “country locked,” and unable to work with SIM cards other than those from other French carriers. “Once legally (through Orange Customer Service) unlocked, the iPhone will operate with any SIM card, including foreign ones. But some applications like ‘Visual Voice Mail’ may not work abroad,” Orange’s Louis-Michel Aymard told iLounge in an email. In addition to offering clarification to the unlocking issue, Aymard also told iLounge that the percentage of unlocked iPhones sold by Orange was “a lot smaller than 20%.”
Related Stories
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Apple asks European standards body to set Frand rules
- iPhone accounts for 40% of new Sprint customers in Q4 2011
- Key iPhone, iPod executive left Apple last year
- Motorola sought lucrative royalty on iPhone, iPad sales
- AT&T explains ‘unlimited data’ user throttling, blames users?
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming early Monday, giveaway reminder
- iBackFlip launches Somersault case for iPad
- Motorola loses third patent case against Apple in Germany
- Apple rushing to pick demo apps for next iPad launch
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Periscope Audio Lab releases SpaceSampler
- Evernote Hello improves contact entry features
- eMailGanizer Pro adds Universal Inbox, Smart Folders
- Scosche rolls out bassDock for iPad
- German court rejects Apple bid to ban Galaxy 10.1N
Recent Reviews
- Cygnett Apollo for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
- Spigen SGP Kuel F60Q Battery Pack
- Just Mobile Highway + Highway Pro for iPod, iPhone + iPad
- Speck CandyShell and CandyShell Satin for iPhone 4/4S
- Jensen JiPS-310i Docking Speaker for iPod, iPhone & iPad
- FrappeDesign Smart Sleeve for iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?
1
This notice, Is 100% true???
Thanks..
Posted by josep on December 17, 2007 at 5:56 AM (PDT)
2
There are many reports to the contrary. Furthermore, even if you buy “unlocked” phone, the unlock takes 7-10 days wait and can be only done withinn the Orange network. There are, howeve, claims, that if you sync with iTunes using non-orange SIM, it will execute the prepaid (100EUR) outside of France.
The support at Orange has as many variable answers as there are people working there.
Posted by Canook on December 21, 2007 at 3:49 PM (PDT)
3
I can confirm phones are country locked. Called Orange they said it is an Apple issue. Called Apple, they say Orange should not have advertised their phones as fully unlocked. Called Orange again and now they admit it. They would reimburse me. Received a mail from Apple saying this COULD be taken care of. Asked about being more specific: they replied case is closed, they dont guarantee a solution, but I could hope in one.
Apples loses a few points for me today.
Posted by smemobox on January 16, 2008 at 3:33 AM (PDT)