Taiwan is next to get unlocked iPhone 3Gs

As far back as last year, Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom said it was in the process of making an exclusive deal with Apple to deliver the iPhone 3G to the East Asian island. Over the weekend, the deal became official.

Prior to the device's Taiwan launch, CHT representatives said the iPhone 3G would only work on CHT's 3G network. But according to new reports, the device actually launched unlocked, with the ability to assign networks via SIM card.

Apparently the only thing missing from the devices when switched to another network is CHT's Hami platform, an iPhone-optimized service package that includes news, weather, stock quotes, horoscopes and viral video content.

This is not the first time the iPhone 3G has been made available unlocked in East Asia. In September, Apple made the devices available directly from its online store, where users could choose their carrier. There, they cost HK$ 5,400 ($694.75) for the 8 GB model and HK$ 6,200 ($797.65) for the 16 GB.

As it happens with most unlocked devices, Chunghwa's iPhone 3Gs carry an inflated price, even more inflated than Hong Kong's. An 8 GB model costs around $800, and a 16 GB model costs just around $900.