Multiple reports have surfaced confirming that AT&T is actively denying Focus owners access to unlock codes looking to unlock their smartphones for international roaming. One major reason being cited is that the Focus is exclusive to AT&T until May of this year according to customer service representatives answering customer inquiries about unlock code availability, while other customers have taken to third-party services to unlock the devices with varying results.
To make matters more confusing, some customers have been able to contact Samsung directly via their 3rd level of customer support and acquire their unlock code without much issue, though this method has proven more difficult as more Focus owners inquire about receiving their device-specific unlock codes and are now being directed back to AT&T.
AT&T customer service representatives are also confirming that the codes are in the possession of AT&T, but are not able to be released to customers until June of this year. As per AT&T policy, a customer is supposed to be able to request the SIM unlock code for their phone after 90 days with an account in good standing, specifically notes that they will travel out of the country, or when the agreement is completed.
As previous attempts with the iPhone demonstrate, AT&T actively discourages fulfilling such requests if the device is exclusive to the carrier, or points the customer to the back to the manufacturer, even though the carrier is supposed to keep a database of both the device serial numbers and unlock codes in its own inventory with such denials of service held up as examples of poor customer service, device exclusivity period or not.
