Telstra customer claims free unlock for outright iPhone 3G purchase

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 21 July 2008 23:29

Your IT - Mobility

”mac user’s” fascinating story continues: “I was again misinformed that should I place another SIM into my iPhone other than the providers that I intended to change to, the phone would be locked again, and I would need to pay that provider an unlocking fee to place any other providers SIMs into it.

”This I know is Not the case, confirmed by Apple, that "once you iPhone is unlocked-It is Unlocked". It just requires a 'Back-up and Restore' to 'Lock' on to the new providers Sim.

“Needless to say, after only 2 hours on the phone, and less than 5 Hours and a 'back-up and restore' the new network settings were available to update.

“I have since been enjoying The great features of my Optus Networked, Telstra supplied, Fully unlocked Fee-Free iPhone. :)

“Proof that that Telstra's $150.00 Network Unlocking fee for an 'outright' paid for (not pre-paid) iPhone IS unfair, and cannot be requested.

“Should you have paid this unfair Charge, I urge you to demand a Full refund of your $150.00, if they refuse, don't give in, and if required use the help available to you to fight this.

“I shall continue to pursue this matter, reporting my findings to The Office of Fair Trading, and the ACCC, in the hope that Telstra will Voluntarily refund all of the payments taken from Customers who have paid for the iPhone Outright and Paid the ridiculous $150.00 iPhone unlocking charge.”

At this point, “mac user” apologises for having gone on “for soooo long, but I need to record my events somewhere”.

Well, it’s remarkable that his persistence and application of relevant acts caused Telstra to unlock the iPhone 3G free of charge.

I’ll be personally requesting a comment from Telstra on this case to see what they have to say about it, but if “mac user’s” story is true (and I have no reason to doubt it), it could easily be the case that Telstra cannot charge a $150 unlocking fee and could have to refund the fee to anyone that has paid it.

I’ve asked “mac user” to get in contact with me directly as well. It looks like it’s a stunning case of sticking up for your rights, and insisting that you get what you paid for.

In this case, what was paid for was an outright purchased iPhone that should mean just that: an outright purchased iPhone, one which can be used on any compatible network, just like any other outright purchased phone on the market today.

As noted, I will be contacting Telstra for comment, as well as speaking to "mac user" further. I could contact Apple as well for comment, but given their usual comment is "no comment", Telstra (and other regulatory bodies), along with "mac user" himself, is the next best step.

What iHappens iNext will be iVery iNteresting iNdeed! Stay iTuned...