Originally Posted by moox:
“I have heard of networks being able to request unlocks very quickly indeed (some people have reported 5 minutes from initial request on AT&T).
It wouldn't be totally outlandish to suggest that the networks already have some sort of direct link to Apple's unlock system - and that Apple themselves certainly do minimal checking (see the eBay services where randomers are able to sell unlock services)”
The exact details of how it works have never been explained - and may vary by network!
Also exactly how the 3rd-party iPhone unlocking services manage to insert their numbers into the Apple database is also unknown. Are they bribing some network staff who have access?? - if so it would not seem very secure as these staff could be discovered at any time!!
Quote:
“The other answer would be for CPW to sell totally unlocked phones. This is not unheard of - in times gone by (pre iPhone) I made sure people bought their subsidised phone via CPW because I knew they'd get an unlocked, unbranded handset”
The likes of Vodafone, EE (and O2??) who have strict rules about when and if handsets can be unlocked might object if CPW were bypassing these!