iPhone could breach Australian consumer law

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So what is different to network locked mobiles at the momentAnonymous -- 26/02/08

Not all mobiles are available to work on all networks. Some (if not many) are locked to a particular network (eg OPTUS, Telstra, 3, etc) and to purchase a particular phone outright and be able to move to your choice of Network an unlock fee is charged even if you never take out a contract with the original network. Some phones can be purchased outright and not locked to a network. I can understand if under a plan contract on a mobile handset, but where is the freedom when just purchasing a handset which some (be it fewer) do. Seems that there is already anti-trade practice in the Australian mobile market, without the entry of the iPhone (which when I first heard it mentioned for OZ was being trumpeted for telstra Network connection) .. but then there will always be the hacks as is the case overseas where the iPhone will be connectable to whoevers network

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So the iPhone hackers are the good guysJak -- 26/02/08

So hacking the iPhone to unlock the SIM is actually legalising it in Australia. Sweet!

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UnlockedSimon Jones -- 27/02/08

Not all countries allow locking to a network. France for instance, already sells unlocked iphones.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138618-c,iphone/article.html

I would have thought anyone interested in IT, especially mobile communications would know this already.

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