Apple iPhones 'unlocked for other networks'

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Apple iPhones 'unlocked for other networks'

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By Editorial Team (Wednesday, 30th January 2008)

The iPhone's exclusive tie with a set network provider has been placed in question by news that one million of the mobiles in the US have been "unlocked" to work with other networks.

Analyst Toni Sacconaghi of Bernstein Research claims that 27 per cent of iPhones sold in 2007 are affected, as they can be used on networks other than AT&T which is currently the exclusive US network, a position held by O2 in the UK.

Mr Sacconghi has estimated that Apple could lose $500 million in revenue if his claims are correct, as the company receive a percentage of the contract payment from the network provider.

He came to the conclusion after research showed that 1.45 million iPhones were "missing in action" and wrote about his findings online.

Meanwhile, O2 has announced that iPhone customers will be offered a "new and improved tariff structure" with more minutes and texts on offer in the available bundles.