To Unlock or Not?

[Bdubb]

Here's my situation:

I have a Rogers (Canada) iphone, it's officially locked to Rogers, I also have an official Rogers Sim card in there, I don't need my phone unlocked, but I keep looking at other Phone carriers (Fido) and the grass seems greener as far as pricing and features go.

I am not locked in on a contract with Rogers, I am thinking of MAYBE, MAYBE, in the soon future trying out Fido and popping a Fido Sim Card in my phone.

my Question is: if I unlock my phone now and have it ready for any other GSM carrier is there going to be any drawbacks to using an unlocked phone even if I am with it's official carrier? I use a pay as you go Sim, and really I don't have an elaborate plan with Rogers.

very simple (no data) text and talk plan, that doesn't really utilize iphones 3G features or anything ...

the phone is already jailbroken, (So I am not exactly in tune with Rogers terms and conditions) but Is there any other benefits to the phone being locked to it's official carrier as oppose to it being unlocked?

So should I unlock it now or just leave it locked and jailbroken on 3.1.2 firmware? is it going to be a hassle to unlock it in the future while still maintaining the same 3.1.2 firmware and bootloader. etc.???

 

[dhlizard]

Here's my situation:

I have a Rogers (Canada) iphone, it's officially locked to Rogers, I also have an official Rogers Sim card in there, I don't need my phone unlocked, but I keep looking at other Phone carriers (Fido) and the grass seems greener as far as pricing and features go.

I am not locked in on a contract with Rogers, I am thinking of MAYBE, MAYBE, in the soon future trying out Fido and popping a Fido Sim Card in my phone.

my Question is: if I unlock my phone now and have it ready for any other GSM carrier is there going to be any drawbacks to using an unlocked phone even if I am with it's official carrier? I use a pay as you go Sim, and really I don't have an elaborate plan with Rogers.

very simple (no data) text and talk plan, that doesn't really utilize iphones 3G features or anything ...

the phone is already jailbroken, (So I am not exactly in tune with Rogers terms and conditions) but Is there any other benefits to the phone being locked to it's official carrier as oppose to it being unlocked?

So should I unlock it now or just leave it locked and jailbroken on 3.1.2 firmware? is it going to be a hassle to unlock it in the future while still maintaining the same 3.1.2 firmware and bootloader. etc.???

You do like to start new threads

You have been getting great help on the 3 or 4 you have just opened. Doesn't hurt to ask a new question (within reason) in a current thread.

 

[thelatinist]

There's no reason to unlock now if you don't intend to use a foreign SIM now. Since you have 5.11.07, you would have to use blacksn0w, and blacksn0w causes problems for a significant minority of users (most commonly, intermittent WiFi connectivity issues which require network resets). No reason to install it now; you can always install it later. It takes about half a minute, including reset.

 

[Bdubb]

You do like to start new threads

You have been getting great help on the 3 or 4 you have just opened. Doesn't hurt to ask a new question (within reason) in a current thread.

heh Sorry about that, in fact I think I opened up more than 4 threads, but it is quite hard to be heard around here sometimes, feel free to delete the ones that didn't go anywhere.

Since two of my threads start with a problem that might be common to folks who are new at the iPhone 3Gs (like myself) both threads start with a problem and end with a solution, I imagine my threads can at least be a little helpful to those who are frustrated and seeking for answers on the interweb. (not sure how many people out there are wondering if it's safe to restore data from an iphone with a more recent firmware to a 3Gs iphone with an older firmware..if they are: at least they got the answer here)

I also tried to make the titles of my thread clear and simple (stating the problem) and to the point.

no more threads I promise.

 

[Bdubb]

this...

Since you have 5.11.07, you would have to use blacksn0w.

I almost downloaded and installed custom 3.1.2 that's "Activated for Other carriers"

So that I could unlock it BY USING THIS VERY OLD UNLOCKING METHOD!! "Software Unlock 3G 3.0 using Ultrasnow" (Unlocking it through Cydia.)


...Am I glad you posted here and gave me the warning...

Is Blacksn0w really the one and ONLY way to unlock my phone b/c of it's 5.11.07 baseband?

I read enough Horror stories on this forum about Blacksn0w, No way I want to go that route, so is there any other options to Unlock a 3.1.2 ...b.b. 5.11.07?

I hope you don't have your face in your palm by now and nodding at my stupidity.

 

[Applejuiced]

this...


I almost downloaded and installed custom 3.1.2 that's "Activated for Other carriers"

So that I could unlock it BY USING THIS VERY OLD UNLOCKING METHOD!! "Software Unlock 3G 3.0 using Ultrasnow" (Unlocking it through Cydia.)


...Am I glad you posted here and gave me the warning...

Is Blacksn0w really the one and ONLY way to unlock my phone b/c of it's 5.11.07 baseband?

I read enough Horror stories on this forum about Blacksn0w, No way I want to go that route, so is there any other options to Unlock a 3.1.2 ...b.b. 5.11.07?

I hope you don't have your face in your palm by now and nodding at my stupidity.

You have no other option at the moment.
The baseband cannot be downgraded once its updated so you're stuck with blacksnow.

 

[mreddys10]

Hi Bdubb,
I have both, a rogers and a fido connection, and trust me, rogers is actually cheaper.

As far as the unlock goes, Blacksn0w (unlock for 5.11 baseband) is not perfect, and has its share of problems. I suggest you hold off for a couple of months till the new iPhone when a new unlock will hopefully get released by the dev team.

 

[Bdubb]

Hi Bdubb,
I have both, a rogers and a fido connection, and trust me, rogers is actually cheaper.

As far as the unlock goes, Blacksn0w (unlock for 5.11 baseband) is not perfect, and has its share of problems. I suggest you hold off for a couple of months till the new iPhone when a new unlock will hopefully get released by the dev team.

I actually sat down with a Fido rep in the mall today and almost signed up a (No Term) plan with them, then I wasn't sure if my phone was unlocked and I asked him to put in a Fido Sim in my Jailbroken Rogers iPhone, and sure enough it was Locked and it wouldn't make calls, so right then I said I'm sorry I really cannot sign up right now, not until I unlock this phone...the rep trying to convince me "you can unlock that thing without a problem in no time" ...I still insisted that I am ok for now. Boy am I glad I got out of there on time

Thanks mreddys10, I basically came to your conclusion earlier today, and I totally agree with you, considering the only unlocking option for me is currently is the buggy "Blacksn0w" I should definitely hold off on unlocking for a few months. Unlike some other unfortunate folks who don't have carriers' that support the iPhone, at least I have that option of keeping my phone locked.

You're right Rogers ain't too bad, I just have to find a better plan (than I have now) to suit my budget.

Thanks again everyone for your sound advice and help.