Update 1: via twitter

atekant: @iPhoneinCanada I am on the phone with Fido and talking to the unlock guy right now. there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the iPhone

Update 2: the unlocking process explained via @atekant. He was told to restore his iPhone and it would be “unlocked” via iTunes

611->1st guy: huh?->2nd guy: how did you know?->3rd guy (unlock guy): check info & eligibility, done over the phone (done via Apple)

@atekant restored iPhone 3GS to factory 4.2.1. There was no message or indication of an unlock. Popped an AT&T SIM into 3GS and did not receive the “Invalid SIM” error. EU Wind SIM: works; O2 SIM: flashed “Invalid SIM”, then disappeared. @atekant is restoring from iPhone backup. “Plugged the phone to iTunes with O2 sim. It said verifying iPhone, and now it is at emergency call screen. Rebooting once more…” @atekantÂ Rebooted with O2 sim without being plugged. It coughed and I am on Rogers network. Just received a text from O2 asking for more money

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We received a tip this morning that Rogers/Fido are going to be the first Canadian wireless carriers to unlock Rogers/Fido devices for a fee. This is reportedly a new policy that the company is rolling out.

Rogers/FidoÂ Handset Unlocking Policy

Effective December 14, 2010, Rogers/Fido have introduced a new device unlocking policy that allows Rogers/Fido customers to unlock their device for a $50.00 fee. The policy applies to consumer phones, smartphones, embedded laptops, and rocket sticks depending on manufacturer restrictions.

To have a device unlocked, a customer must:

Have an account in good standing

Have paid the un-subsidized / no term cost for the device at least 30 days prior OR have finished their Commitment Period (contract)

Unlock a device which is listed in their equipment history (no grey market devices)

Pay a $50 unlocking fee plus applicable taxes (note: prepaid customers must have a $50 plus the applicable taxes, balance on their account)

As always, there is a handy Rogers/Fido Q&A:

How can a customer have their phone unlocked?

The unlock service is available through the Customer Care team (1-888-481-3436 or 1-888-Rogers1)

What are the risks for unlocking devices?

Some features on the phone/device might be compromised by the unlocking and could affect its performance on our network. Our devices are optimized to work on the network for which they were purchased. Not all settings will work outside the carrier that certified the device.

Warranty may become void by some manufacturers if unlocked outside the Rogers/Fido policy or software has been tampered with.

In regard to our wireless handsets, customers have the added benefit of our Fido Repair and Loaner service which will help cover the cost if their device is defective.

If a customer brings in a phone for service, please:

Ask the customer if their phone has been unlocked; if yes, was it unlocked within the Rogers/Fido policy?

If unlocked within the Rogers/Fido policy and the software has not been tampered with then there is no impact on the warranty. Note that if unlocked outside the Rogers/Fidopolicy or the software has been tampered with then the warranty may be void.

Advise the customer the phone can potentially be re-locked as part of the repair process and if they wish to have it unlocked again, the policy and charge applies.

In order for a customer to take advantage of either the Fido Repair and Loaner service, the customerâ€™s device brand must correspond to the currently active CTN (i.e. Fido CTN cannot be sent for repair with Rogers branded hardware and vice versa).

All Hardware service transactions where the CTN brand does not correspond to the hardware brand will have to be processed manually. Customer will have to provide proof of purchase in order to proceed with manual In Warranty Repair.

Device unlocking fee list:

Alberta

$52.50 (with tax)

British Columbia

$56.00 (with tax)

Manitoba

$56.00 (with tax)

New Brunswick

$56.50 (with tax)

Newfoundland & Labrador

$56.50 (with tax)

Nova Scotia

$57.50 (with tax)

Ontario

$56.50 (with tax)

Prince Edward Island

$57.75 (with tax)

QuÃ©bec

$56.44 (with tax)

Saskatchewan

$55.00 (with tax)

Thanks to Gordun Ramsie and Jakub for the tip!