Following a class action lawsuit, AT&T has agreed to unlock all phones that they supply to customers, except Apple’s iPhone.
Customers who have purchased a prepaid handset will get their handset unlocked immediately on confirmation of proof of purchase, whilst customers who have postpaid will get their handsets unlocked after ninety days of active service.
If you have purchased a handset which AT&T are the exclusive carrier, then you will have to wait at least 10 months, at this point you can then request that AT&T unlock your handset, this applies to the iPhone which is currently exclusive to AT&T.
(1) Customers with postpaid accounts who have completed a minimum of 90 days of active service and are in good standing and current in their payments.
(2) Customers with prepaid accounts who have provided a detailed receipt or other proof of purchase of the handset.
(3) Customers who own handsets for which AT&T has an exclusive sales arrangement with a manufacturer of less than 10 months will have to wait until the 10-month period expires before they can receive an unlocking code.
This could change in the near future for iPhone owners with AT&T, if Apple release the device on other mobile carriers like Verizon then AT&T would have to unlock existing customers iPhone’s earlier.
via Slash Gear