As we move into Q2 2012, the rumors of a summer iPhone 5 release date continue to rage on. And just like we saw in the years past, carriers in the US who offer the iPhone begin to tempt users in whichever way possible so as to prevent them from jumping ship to another carrier.
AT&T unlocks off-contract iPhone models as iPhone 5 release rumors grow
AT&T for one is throwing a bone to Apple users by unlocking off-contract iPhones. According to MacRumors, AT&T will unlock off-contract iPhones from April 8 (today). What this means is that you can use your iPhone on any compatible network:
“Beginning Sunday, April 8, we will offer qualifying customers the ability to unlock their AT&T iPhones. The only requirements are that a customer’s account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies or paid an early termination fee.” – AT&T statement to MacRumors
Back when the Verizon iPhone 4 rolled out, we saw AT&T temporarily re-instate unlimited data plan signups for iPhone users so as to prevent its subscribers from flocking to Verizon. Now with Sprint in the game too and the iPhone 5 rumored to pack 4G LTE radios, the recent confirmation by Sprint that its LTE plans will be unlimited too, does sound enticing, especially since AT&T was only recently in the spotlight for throttling its unlimited data plan holders as a measly 2GB.
As for those of you with an off-contract iPhone on AT&T at the moment, you will now more easily be able to use your smartphone overseas.
