AT&T To Unlock All Phones But The iPhone

AT&T has agreed to provide unlock codes for any cellphone they supply to subscribers with an exception of the iPhone. The move follows a class action suit filed against the carrier, and will see prepaid customers handsets unlocked simply by showing proof of purchase or postpaid customers who have had active service for 90 days or more.

If you’ve bought a mobile phone “for which AT&T has an exclusive sales arrangement with a manufacturer” then you’ll need to wait at least 10 months until you can pester the carrier for an unlock code. The settlement covers anyone who bought their device between March 12th 1999 and April 2nd 2010.

(1) Customers with postpaid accounts who have completed a minimum of 90 days of active service and are in good standing and current in their payments.

(2) Customers with prepaid accounts who have provided a detailed receipt or other proof of purchase of the handset.

(3) Customers who own handsets for which AT&T has an exclusive sales arrangement with a manufacturer of less than 10 months will have to wait until the 10-month period expires before they can receive an unlocking code.

According to the legal notice published on AT&T Cellphone locking Cases Website:

AT&T Mobility agrees to give to its eligible AT&T Wireless, Cingular and AT&T Mobility current and former customers, upon request and where available, codes that unlock AT&T Wireless, Cingular and AT&T Mobility handsets other than (i) the Apple iPhone; or (ii) any handset that AT&T Mobility introduces or has introduced for sale pursuant to a contract with a handset manufacturer that provides for an exclusivity period of ten (10) months or longer (“AT&T Handset”). Unlock codes for AT&T Handsets will be provided to eligible postpaid customers who have completed a minimum of ninety (90) days of active service with AT&T Wireless, Cingular or AT&T Mobility and who are in good standing and current in their payments at the time of the request.

Last week, AT&T announced that it will be raising the early termination fee, it had explained the reason for locking the iPhone and charging an early termination fee in an open letter to its customers:

At AT&T, we work hard every day to provide you with a great wireless experience at competitive prices.

One of the ways we do this is to offer you the industry’s leading wireless handsets below their full retail price when you sign a two-year service agreement. In the event you wish to cancel service before your two-year agreement expires, you agree to pay a prorated early termination fee (ETF) as an alternative way to complete your agreement. Of course, if you prefer not to enter into a term commitment, we offer the same great selection of devices at their full retail price with no term commitment or ETF, as well as prepaid GoPhone options.

AT&T doesn’t provide iPhone users with a free unlock code after they’ve completed their two-year contract. According to AT&T’s FAQ about unlocking iPhone:

iPhone cannot be unlocked, even if you are out of contract.

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