UK Iphone 4s - No go on Vodacom here

[xplicet]

A friend of mine bought in two Vodafone 4s's here, opened a new contract for one prepaid for the other but they wont work. Vodacom says it wont work because the 4s has not been launched here yet. This is the most insane thing i have heard from a network.

Any one else got UK 4s's working here?

 

[Nerfherder]

More than likely they are network locked to a UK network

 

[The_Unbeliever]

More than likely they are network locked to a UK network

This.

 

[Ipwn 4]

More than likely they are network locked to a UK network

I agree, OP can you confirm that the devices are unlocked?

 

[xplicet]

It was a cash purchase from a retail store. I think the assumption was that the phones arn't locked any more. Even Apple themselves refer to "unlocked" phones as being cash phones or non Verizon etc network phones. BUMMER for him if it really is locked. +/- R16K on two bricks

 

[M.Shakeel.M]

If he can't get them unlocked ill but them

 

[Madhawk]

The "Sim-free" iPhone 4S sells unlocked only from an Apple store in the UK. 499 pounds for the 16GB.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Phones from the Apple Stores are not locked. Phones from network providers' stores are almost always locked, regardless of weather you pay the full price or get it subsidised with a contract.

 

[fxit_man]

A friend of mine bought in two Vodafone 4s's here, opened a new contract for one prepaid for the other but they wont work. Vodacom says it wont work because the 4s has not been launched here yet. This is the most insane thing i have heard from a network.

Any one else got UK 4s's working here?

Unfortunately there;s your problem right there. Vodafone 4S's.

As stated here, only UK iPhone's bought from the Apple Store themselves (Retail or online) are factory unlocked.