Just read that 3 may offer the iPhone4 and now considering it. I'm 12 months into a 18 month contract so its a possiblity now or in a few months time. I was just wondering, as 3 have a more relaxed policy on 3G streaming like iPlayer and Slingbox is it possible that they may allow the apps to run over 3G? I know its locked out on 3G at the moment but is that a lock placed by the network or the app?

Also, if anyone has a iPhone3 on 3 already do they still lock out the 2G selection of the network? I mean do they have a 3 firmware with features disabled?

Was considering the Androids but the iPhone is very tempting....

3 will be offering the iPhone 4 and are releasing it close to launch as they were meant to be doing pre-orders but cancelled that, so guess its coming around the same time as it does with other networks.

As far as I'm aware they don't have anything to do with apps or the app store, thats down to Apple and the developers, so it will be for example between Apple and the BBC who decided to lock out the 3G capability (I don't know if they do lock it on 3G, just using it as an example).

Also 3 use Orange for 2G signal, is that what you mean?

Your meant to use Wifi for all the streaming stuff & 3 ARE going to be offering iPhone4 - no prices or eligblity procedures have been released yet.

What I mean is that 3, unlike many other networks allow iPlayer streaming on the network, along with Slingplayer. I do have a 3 Mifi unit so I can always use that to get round it I guess.

As for 2G, on my N97 Three have disabled the option to stick with a 2G network (which is a shame when I am in a weak 3G area and would like to stick to 2G, if if the battery is low), but I do not know if 3 will have a firmeware version on iPhone to block this option.

Finally, a new quesion, the main thing I will miss in goinging to iPhone is the bluetooth limitations. I have a Pogo printer which I can print to over bluetooth or Pictbridge, but as neither works on the iPhone its a pain, I guess the OS4 will not solve this problem?

As far as I'm aware no networks have firmware for the iPhone. Apple doesn't allow this I believe.

Apple don't allow networks to modify the hardware or software of the phone.

I assume 3 and confident enough that people will not change the phone to use 2G (Orange) instead of 3's own 3G network.

well they are not so confidant with most other phones, but hopefully not with this one.

What Apple can do is customise certain aspects based on the network SIM that is installed. I believe they do something like this with Orange SIMs (the APN settings get hidden I think?), and it may well be that they will be able to hide the 3G toggle for 3SIMs if 3 ask them to.

It's simply because 3 has invested in having 10,000 3G masts, more than any of the other networks. The last thing they want to do is have people sign up, not use their network which costs them nothing (after the cap ex cost) and have people using Orange which 3 has to pay roaming costs on (even if they are small they all add up).

That's why, as the person above says they cannot modify the software so they will have to live with it and hope that people don't deliberately switch to 2G only otherwise they will have to look at dropping the fallback to Orange when the upgrades are complete and just saying you've got 99% outdoor 3G coverage that's your lot. Obviously I'm sure they would rather allow limited roaming on Orange, but if it becomes a problem they will have to consider that.

I'm happy to stay witht the 3G wherever possible, and I completly understand there reason for the blocks, but its very annoying in a poor 3G area to get it constantly switching between 2G and 3G or holding onto a useless 3G signal. It's something that is a real issue when I consider if I want to give 3 another 2 yrs of my life!

I wonder if 3 would offer their Skype service on the iPhone. That would be a USP for their service.