A group of independent programmers has claimed that it had “unlocked” the latest generation of Apple Inc iPhones, so the devices can be used on unauthorised wireless networks, in a move that could threaten the company's carrier partners.
Since the original iPhone was launched in June 2007, Apple has struck partnerships with wireless carriers worldwide, such as in the US with AT and T Inc and France Telecom SA's Orange unit, media reports said.
Under these agreements, the iPhone can generally be used only by subscribers to those carriers but now as a group, called the iPhone Dev Team, has released a free piece of software called “yellowsn0w” that unlocks the iPhone 3G and the phones could be used via non-authorised networks also, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Yellowsn0w,is the software that lets users reprogramme the phones so they can work on any wireless network based on the same technical standard.
However, several users were also quoted as saying that they successfully installed the software on their iPhone 3Gs and were able to make calls on non-authorised networks.
An Apple spokeswoman, the paper said, declined to comment on the iPhone Dev Team's work, saying that Apple doesn't support unlocked iPhones in the US.
Apple offers such phones in Germany and Hong Kong “where the government regulation requires it” but they usually come at a steep price, the paper said.
The development could lead to a loss in revenue for Apple's wireless partners as international travellers would be able to buy airtime for their iPhones on local wireless networks when they travel abroad, so they don't have to incur steep roaming charges, the paper added.
Consumers, in markets where Apple hasn't launched the iPhone yet, could also buy the device elsewhere and use it in their home countries.
In China, for example, consumers can already buy previous generation iPhones that have been smuggled in and come unlocked, the journal said.
In the US, “the iPhone is meant to be used exclusively on the AT&T network. Any other use of the device is inappropriate and would void the warranty,” said an AT&T spokesman.
The iPhone Dev Team is the same group that unlocked the original iPhone model more than a year ago, it added.
