Nikkei: Docomo will NOT unlock iPhone

Yup, as we were beginning to expect, Docomo's push for the unlocking of cell phones to allow the switching of SIM cards between carriers was what we thought it was originally: A lame attempt to get the iPhone. After having gone on record and saying they'd unlock all their phones, now that they have the iPhone, it appears that they are not going to unlock it.

From the Nikkei:

ＮＴＴドコモが、20日に発売する米アップルの最新型スマートフォン（スマホ）「ｉＰｈｏｎｅ５ｓ」「同５ｃ」に対して特定の通信会社に利用を限定する「ＳＩＭロック」をかけることが明らかになった。同社が既存のスマホ向けに提供中のＳＩＭロックを解除できるサービスについても、ｉＰｈｏｎｅに関しては採用を見送る

It has become clear that the iPhone 5s and 5c will be sold by NTT Docomo with a SIM lock, preventing usage on other carriers. Docomo has decided not to adopt the same SIM unlock service available for it's other smartphones.

It's possible that if there is enough of an uproar, that Docomo could change their mind, but even if that happened, I wouldn't expect it this (fiscal) year.