said by pepe3738342 :

Maybe we are arguing over semantics, but suspending service is not the same as canceling service, which is what incurs the ETF.

Unfortunately, ATT still won't provide subsidy unlock codes for their 3G iPhones. [ Why would they give away the cow when they can sell so much milk? ;) ] Will Swisscom sell you an unlocked iPhone like you can get in some other parts of the world? Since you like it so much, paying such a premium might be ideal so you can always get the updates w/o messing with the functionality.

said by NY Tel :

Just dial 611 from the phone (free call) and ask AT&T.
It makes no sense to tell you that you can suspend your service but continue to pay the bills.
What part of "stupid" does not apply to that AT&T salesperson....lol

said by pepe2143621 :

Sorry, but you have not yet read enough on the topic. Again, I will reiterate, it is a *temporary* solution and may stop working at any time depending on the network he's connecting to in China. Head on over to hackintosh forums if you want more specifics about the hardware/software 'fix' you've alluded to. It's a temporary one unfortunately, and won't help the vast majority of folks wanted to free themselves of the high roaming costs w/ an ATT plan.

-Pedro

said by pcnetworx1 :

Yea, every cell phone company I dealt with has something called a "seasonal plan" which keeps your account active for 5 - 6 bucks a month. I recommend doing this instead of cancelling.

I know with sprint they also actually leave the phone active and you can even still make calls... for
$0.75 a minute though. So, make sure you put it back on a real plan in January.

said by Turoll :

You using an iPhone in europe is a downgrade
There are superior phones readily available by the providers there, get rid of the trash "ipod 3g" and get one of the real smartphones Nokia or Ericcson or Samsung makes at least they are also unlocked.

illJazz
While in Switzerland, I'd obviously like to keep using my iPhone 3G, because using any other phone at this point would feel like down-grading, big-time.

said by pepe1812934089 :

Nope. They won't do it. Not yet, at least. There's too much money to be made currently simply keeping the 3G iPhones on the ATT network.

Just keep paying the bills if you know you'll be coming back to the U.S. and find a phone you like for use back home. It seems like the way to go especially if you like the service you've enjoyed thus far w/ the 3G iPhone.

-Pedro

said by scots :

They are not unlocking the iPhone 3G. I recall seeing someone mention elsewhere that they asked about it and AT&T told them it couldn't be done.

I believe they have an option to put the account on hold where you pay something like $5 or $10/month rather than your regular monthly bill. This does have the effect of extending your contract by the number of months the account is on hold. So...if your contract is currently set to end in July 2010 and you put the account on hold for 5 months, your contract would then be extended to December 2010.

The ETF (should you choose to cancel) is pro-rated. It starts at $175 and is then reduced by $5 for each month you've been in the contract. In your case, if you canceled service on January 12 your ETF should be $145. July 12 through January 12 would be 6 months * $5 = $30 off the ETF.

If you did cancel and then come back you shouldn't be under another contract when you come back if you use your current phone rather than getting a new one. You would lose your current phone number, though.

said by slash :

I'm not sure if they'd unlock it for you, but I believe you should be able to suspend your service for a time and then continue your contract in January when you return. There may be a small fee to do this, but it would be cheaper than those other options you mention.