iPhone 3G
(Credit: Apple)
Q: If I buy an iPhone 3G in one country, can we then terminate the contract and reactivate in in another country with a local carrier?
--HSquared
A: If you buy an iPhone 3G, no one will stop you from canceling the service and paying an early termination fee to AT&T. Yet it's unlikely that you'll be able to take the same phone to another country and reactivate there. If you were successful in unlocking it from AT&T, it would certainly be possible to use it abroad, but good luck on finding an operator what would be willing to give you service. Personally, I'm not optimistic that a carrier in any iPhone 3G country would activate a former AT&T handset, particularly when they can sell you one of their own. Of course, you could buy a prepaid SIM card, but not all carriers may support prepaid iPhone service (for example, AT&T won't). And don't forget that while all iPhone 3Gs around the world will have the same specifications, handsets will be "branded" for their country of use. In short, you could make this work but you'll spend a lot of time and money making it happen. Even if you buy a non-contract iPhone 3G from AT&T, you'll be spending a lot of money up front. Why not just buy the iPhone in your chosen country?
For more iPhone 3G questions, see our FAQ. And by the way, have you heard how Rogers' iPhone 3G plans don't include unlimited data? That's pretty outrageous, and I hope our Canadian friends get a better deal.
Q: I have the old iPhone, but I don't have a Wi-Fi connection and I can't receive EDGE where I live. Will the iPhone 3G give me a better chance of receiving EDGE?
- Mik
A: The iPhone 3G won't increase your chances of getting EDGE if you don't get it already. Though cell phones do play a big part in your call quality reception, they won't dramatically increase your data coverage. Also, while the new iPhone is offering 3G, it doesn't offer an improved EDGE capability over the current model.
Q: I am a satisfied Sprint "Simply Everything" customer, but I'm an iPhone fan as well. I've read about software that allows you to unlock your iPhone, however, I'm afraid that if I unlock an iPhone and use it on Sprint's network, I'll lose functionality. Do you have any experience with unlocked iPhones?
--Sharon
A: If you unlock an iPhone and use it on another carrier like T-Mobile, you will lose the visual voice mail feature and the 3G support but the handset will operate just fine otherwise. The main caveat is any software updates from Apple will "lock" the phone again to AT&T, so you'll have to download those at your discretion. But in your case, Sharon, I'm getting ahead of myself. Even if you unlock the iPhone it will not work on Sprint's network because Sprint uses an incompatible technology.
Q: I have a cell phone with AT&T that is $40 per month plus an extra $10 per months for a second line for my son. Can I cancel my service and take over his second line? And if so, can I transfer my contacts and phone number to his phone? Can I just replace his SIM card with mine?
- Joan
A: The beauty of GSM phones is that you can transfer your phone number and your contacts from one handset to another simply by switching your SIM card. So if you ever want to use your son's phone as your own, you won't have a problem. Yet you won't be able to cancel your service without canceling his as well. Because his phone is a "second line," it can exist only if your service is still in place. So don't get any ideas about getting cell phone service for only $10 a month. Conversely, you could cancel his second line anytime you'd like but you you may be liable for an early termination fee for that second line.
Kent German, CNET's cell phones guru, answers your questions about cell phones, services, and accessories and reports on the state of the industry. Send him a question!. For past columns, check out the columns in the On Call archive
MSN
(Credit: Microsoft)At GSMA 2008 Mobile World Congress, Microsoft announced that its MSN Direct services is now available on Windows Mobile devices. A technology preview allows you to get instant, at-a-glance updates on weather, top news stories, stock updates, sports scores, and more. The service will also automatically refresh the content so you have the latest information. You can download the free technology preview in one of two ways: by pointing your mobile Web browser to http://phone.msndirect.com or by downloading the MSN Direct client to your PC, then synchronizing it with your mobile device. Just be aware that using MSN Direct will require a data plan with your carrier, and you should also check for additional charges and coverage areas.
AT&T wants to be more consumer-friendly.
On Tuesday the company said that it will prorate the $175 early termination fee it charges wireless customers who cancel their contracts based upon how much time they have left in their contract. This means that someone who cancels their service 23 months into a two-year contract will pay considerably less than someone who cancels the service after only six months. (All new customers are able to cancel their service with no penalty for up to 30 days after service begins.)
The company also said it will no longer require customers to extend their contracts if they make changes to their plans. AT&T's current policy automatically extends contracts for customers who change their service plans more than halfway through their contract term.
The prorated termination rates are still being worked out, but the new policy for extending contracts will take effect in November, the company said.
AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said the changes were prompted by customer demand.
"We've been listening to customers," he said. "And they all tell us that they don't like one-size-fits all policies when it comes to early termination fees or service contracts."
These policy changes come at a time when Congress is looking more closely at the industry's consumer practices. After the much hyped launch of Apple's iPhone, which is exclusively available through AT&T, some Congressional leaders expressed concern that the industry has been too restrictive in its policies. The issue has also been highlighted by debates raging in Washington over how the Federal Communications Commission should auction a valuable sliver of wireless spectrum in the upcoming 700Mhz auction.
Last month, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced a bill that would give subscribers greater freedom to leave cell phone carrier contracts before the agreements expire. On Wednesday a Senate subcommittee will hold hearings regarding consumer practices of the wireless industry, where the issues of early termination fees and automatic contract extensions will surely be discussed.
Siegel admitted that governmental pressure may have played a part in rethinking the company's policies.
"Our main focus is responding to our customers," he said. "But that's not to say there aren't other forces at work."
Whatever is getting AT&T to lighten its policies doesn't matter to me. I'm just glad that the company is making changes. I've always felt it was anticompetitive and unfair to lock customers into lengthy service contracts. And it made even less sense to me that cell phone operators could penalize good customers by extending their contracts because they upgraded their service plan. I mean does it really make sense that my two-year contract starts over because I am willing to pay more per month for my service? I don't think so.
Sure, mobile operators offer consumers subsidized handsets. I understand that they have to recover that cost. But is it really necessary to force someone who has had the service for almost two years to pay the same termination fee as someone who is canceling the service after only a couple of months?
In a free market, consumers must be able to have choice. And contracts with stiff penalties eliminate this choice and stifle competition.
So good work, AT&T. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Once operators truly compete on their own merits instead of relying on contracts to keep customers hostage on their networks, consumers will see huge improvements in price, quality of service, and the availability of new and cool handsets.
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