AT&T finally began unlocking iPhones for customers whose contracts had now expired over the weekend, allowing the device to be used with other SIM-cards from GSM carriers. But for deployed military personnel, the carrier will unlock iPhones still tied to a contract so that they can be used with others carriers abroad.
That’s according to a MacRumors report this morning, which notes that while carriers are required by law to suspend service without penalty for deployed service members, they are not required to unlock their handsets. AT&T has chosen to offer this service regardless.
The company declined to comment on the matter, but sources for MacRumors have confirmed that this is the case. Deployed airmen, airmen, sailors, soldiers and Marines are advised to contact AT&T for more information and to get their iPhones unlocked. Presumably the carrier will unlock other handsets in these circumstances, too.
