AppleInsider Staff
Canadian cellular providers Virgin and Bell will reportedly start unlocking all iPhone models for a nominal fee of $75 starting Monday, adding to three other carriers in that country that offer identical services.
According to internal documents obtained by Canadian tech blog mobilesyrup, as of Monday the two carriers have started to unlock iPhones through a "launched in phased approached" that requires a one-time fee of $75.
Both Bell and Virgin are charging the same price for the handset unlock as long as the user owns the iPhone outright, is not on contract and is currently on one of the carriers' post-paid plans. No official announcement has been made, and Apple's unlocked iPhone carrier list does not yet reflect the addition of the two companies, however the publication claims that unlocking will be done through Bell Support and Virgin Mobile Support.
The "next phase" will begin in 2013 when eligibility requirements are expected to be loosened, however the documents did not offer any further details regarding the future stipulations.
Five of the eight Apple partner carriers in Canada now offer iPhone unlocking services, as Bell and Virgin join existing providers Fido, Rogers and Telus.
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
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11 Comments
I wouldn't call 75$ "nominal".
I wouldn't call 75$ "nominal".
Nor would I, but it depends on how you look at it. $199 for an iPhone and $75 for unlocking is cheaper than $549 for an unlocked iPhone.
Nor would I, but it depends on how you look at it. $199 for an iPhone and $75 for unlocking is cheaper than $549 for an unlocked iPhone.
Nope, it's $75 after you have completed your contract which technically you have already paid way over the full price of the phone. This should be free. Rogers is only $50 and that is still pricey.
Nope, it's $75 after you have completed your contract…
Where does it say that?
[quote name="leechbite" url="/t/154621/canadian-carriers-virgin-and-bell-reportedly-unlocking-all-iphone-models#post_2237363"] Nope, it's $75 after you have completed your contract ... [/quote] [quote name="Tallest Skil" url="/t/154621/canadian-carriers-virgin-and-bell-reportedly-unlocking-all-iphone-models#post_2237413"] Where does it say that? [/quote] here...