Ireland

In a somewhat surprising move today, wireless carrier O2 Ireland announced that its customers would be able to unlock Apple's iPhone. Per the O2 forum, Rod Coleman, head of O2's Customer Care unit, discussed the decision surrounding the unlocking on iPhones, especially those who want to pass on old handsets.

In order to unlock their handsets, O2 customers must meet the following criteria:

There had been rumors going around that O2 would be allowing customers to pre-order their iPhone 3G's in advance before launch day in the UK and elsewhere, and since then had been gaining credibility. Now it has been confirmed once and for all. O2 sent out emails to customers informing them that the iPhone 3G would be available for pre-order as of 8AM, July 7th (today), up until July 11th, at which time they will be delivered to the recipients doorstep.

O2 Ireland has confirmed that the activation process for the iPhone 3G will be a two-step process for their customers. As was said earlier by an O2 UK employee, customers will have the opportunity to sign up for contracts in advance of the July 11th launch, so that when they arrive that day, they can simply have the already activated SIM card placed into the iPhone, which they then go home and sync with the latest version of iTunes.
[via MacNN]