Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

So you live in the UK and want to get an iPhone. What's the best method?

cheekyspanky

cheekyspanky

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 21, 2004
633
1
South Bucks, UK
I've had it dropped on me today that I need to buy an iPhone for work. Trouble being that I live in the UK and have no clue how best to get one.

As it's for work, cost isn't an issue, so what would be the best way to get hold of one?

Are there any companies planning to sell them in the UK, or if they pony up for expenses and send me over to buy one, could I sign up for a contract and cancel on the spot, not being a US resident?
 
Honestly, I don't think you are going to get one. If you did, some features won't work, such as visual voicemail.

Wait a month or so, someone is bound to find a way to make it work in the UK or other places that don't have it yet.
 
cheekyspanky said:
I've had it dropped on me today that I need to buy an iPhone for work.


could I sign up for a contract and cancel on the spot, not being a US resident?
Click to expand...

Why do you have to have one for work?

I doubt that you would be able to get a contract in the first place,
 
Hey

mrowl said:
- purchase off of ebay in a few weeks.

- fly to NY and buy one on at&t contract.
Click to expand...

i will be in the USA this summer(i come from Greece) and i was just wondering if i could just get an iphone(no problem with a new contract because i have relatives that are american citizens) and put my own SIM card in it(that works in Greece with mt wireless provider)! i mean isn't like any cell phone with a SIM card slot? I don't care about virtual voice mail, i just need the regular phone function, the iPod and the internet over wifi! Will this work?
Thanking you in advance for your time helping me.......
 
Wait till there are confirmed reports of people being able to unlock one. Then hit Ebay, that is my plan.
 
pavloskgr said:
i will be in the USA this summer(i come from Greece) and i was just wondering if i could just get an iphone(no problem with a new contract because i have relatives that are american citizens) and put my own SIM card in it(that works in Greece with mt wireless provider)! i mean isn't like any cell phone with a SIM card slot? I don't care about virtual voice mail, i just need the regular phone function, the iPod and the internet over wifi! Will this work?
Thanking you in advance for your time helping me.......
Click to expand...


no, its locked to att. search the forum, this is answered several times a day :rolleyes:
 
I can buy an extra one for you if you'd like, but you'll have to pay any fees that they might charge me to cancel the contract outright.
 
How many threads are there already about this question?????? The iPhone is only available to american customers no exceptions!!! You could potentially buy one in America sign a contract in america and continue to pay the monthly bills but you would be roaming 100% of the time.
 
ps49556n said:
How many threads are there already about this question?????? The iPhone is only available to american customers no exceptions!!! You could potentially buy one in America sign a contract in america and continue to pay the monthly bills but you would be roaming 100% of the time.
Click to expand...

you don't know that it's obligatory to sign a contact with at&t to buy an iphone. you also don't know whether other phone companies' sim cards will work in it.
 
ps49556n said:
How many threads are there already about this question?????? The iPhone is only available to american customers no exceptions!!! You could potentially buy one in America sign a contract in america and continue to pay the monthly bills but you would be roaming 100% of the time.
Click to expand...

I need one, the cost doesn't matter. Where there's a will there's a way!
 
Where the hell have you been??? Apple and ATT have an exclusive 5-year deal and they have both said it WILL require a 2-year voice and data contract.
 
ps49556n said:
Where the hell have you been??? Apple and ATT have an exclusive 5-year deal and they have both said it WILL require a 2-year voice and data contract.
Click to expand...

they removed the bit from the ads saying that there was the requirement of a 2 year contract. you may be able to buy one without contract. you might not. we don't really know yet. which is the point i was making to you. and we do not yet know what will happen if we put a uk sim card in it. it might work or not. you don't know.
 
sananda said:
they removed the bit from the ads saying that there was the requirement of a 2 year contract. you may be able to buy one without contract. you might not. we don't really know yet. which is the point i was making to you. and we do not yet know what will happen if we put a uk sim card in it. it might work or not. you don't know.
Click to expand...


Wish all you want but that is not what is going to happen. The purpose of the exclusive deal is to gain subscribers for ATT, sell hardware for Apple, and provide apple with a percentage of the revenue from subscriptions. Why is this concept hard for you to understand? Why would Apple, or ATT for that matter allow the device to be used without a contract or with another carrier?????:confused: :confused: :confused:
 
ps49556n said:
Wish all you want but that is not what is going to happen. The purpose of the exclusive deal is to gain subscribers for ATT, sell hardware for Apple, and provide apple with a percentage of the revenue from subscriptions. Why is this concept hard for you to understand? Why would Apple, or ATT for that matter allow the device to be used without a contract or with another carrier?????:confused: :confused: :confused:
Click to expand...

i'm not wishing. i'm pointing out to you that we simply do not know the details yet.
 
I'll be travelling to London in about 3 weeks with my iPhone. I'll try to put a local SIM in it and see, but I really doubt it will work. It's virtually certain that the iPhone firmware is programmed to work with AT&T SIMs only.

I have another phone to use with the local SIM. And I plan to test the AT&T international roaming on the iPhone.
 
eddietr said:
I'll be travelling to London in about 3 weeks with my iPhone. I'll try to put a local SIM in it and see, but I really doubt it will work. It's virtually certain that the iPhone firmware is programmed to work with AT&T SIMs only.

I have another phone to use with the local SIM. And I plan to test the AT&T international roaming on the iPhone.
Click to expand...

you're going to get quite a few people in london wanting to see your iphone :D
 
Do you plan on using it on the cell networks in london? I could get one for you and add it to my family plan for a per-month charge smaller than the full cost, and send it out to you if you promise not to use it to make any calls ;). I have some ideas.

if cost is no issue, you will surely get your phone! I'd be happy to help. PM me if you would like to discuss it.
 
I wouldn't plan on getting for for launch....I'd wait to see if/when it is hack for Unlocking...they look on ebay for it.
 
sananda said:
you're going to get quite a few people in london wanting to see your iphone :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, my wife and I are planning our days there and we've marked a couple of places with WiFi that would be good for checking up on our email and get directions and stuff. And of course one of those places is the Apple store.

Can you imagine both of us standing there using our iPhones in the Apple store? Think we'll get some questions? :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back