Apple has signed a 2 year agreement to exclusivity with Cingular Wireless and the iPhone. As it stands now Cingular is the sole distrubtor of the iPhone and it will be locked to their network. What does this mean to you and me? If you're a T-Mobile customer then you're --><-- this close to being able to have an iPhone without changing networks. The only thing standing in your way is Apple, Inc. and the contract. Technologically it's a fit as the iPhone is a GSM phone and both Cingular and T-Mobile provide support for it. Verizon, Alltel and Sprint customers are just plain out of luck for now. Neither support the GSM standard that the 1.0 version of the iPhone is built upon.
This doesn't mean that T-Mobile users should suffer, though! This device has a lot of cool potential and limiting it to a small group of people is uncool. They did this before with the ROKR and nobody really cared because the ROKR sucked. :) But this time it's different. Let's let Apple know that such a phone should be unlocked for as many users as possible. Give us a choice of carriers and let the best service win. In much of the country Cingular has lesser quality of service than a Verizon, T-Mobile or even Sprint. Not having a choice for 2 years is less than ideal for some and downright rude to others. Come on Apple, we're friends of yours!
All cell phones on the market today can be had for a fraction of their actual retail cost. We see this all the time when going into our local cellphone store. Price $199, price with 2 year contract $Free. Phone are heavily subsidized so the we re-up our agreements with the providers and get locked in for year after year. Apple demanded that Cingular hold the line on price, that's why the iPhone is costing $500 or $600 even with a 2 year agreement. So for the full retail cost we STILL don't get to make a choice. The only other time you pay full price for a cell phone is buying one out of contract.
There is some wiggle room here and we're waiting with baited breath to see how it pans out. The FCC created some exemptions to the DCMA in late 2006 and among them was this gem. "Computer programs in the form of firmware that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network.." In English this means that you can legally unlock and take your phone anywhere you want as long as you own it. If this holds true for the iPhone and Apple doesn't lay shenanigans then you're still stuck with this scenario: $499 4GB iPhone + $175 Cingular contract cancellation fee + $35 activation fee for T-Mobile = $709 iPhone (plus taxes and stuff) :(
Make some noise: Write Apple, Inc and let them know you would appreciate an unlocked version of the iPhone. Here is the letter I wrote to Apple, take it as an example (don't copy it word for word, they'll catch on!) and share your feelings.
Apple, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95104
Dear Friends at Apple,
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the upcoming Apple iPhone. As someone who uses an cellular phone daily I can say how excited I am about this new product. Apple is truly to be commended for producing such a fine piece of technology.
One point that concerns me is the fact that at $499 for the less expensive model I will be paying what appears to be a full retail price. In return for full price the iPhone that will be given to me will be crippled inasmuch that only Cingular Wireless will be able to provide me with service. My home does not receive the Cingular wireless signal well enough for indoor use and as mobile phones are the only telephones in our household this would present a problem.
A simple enough solution would be for your engineers to unlock this phone, or sell an unlocked version outside the Cingular network so that consumers may choose their GSM provider. Apple has always been about offering a choice to consumers, can that remain true now?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
You!