you could consider flying to italy and buying it from there. The iPhone is sold over there by Vodafone and TIM without operator lock (so you can use it with any GSM SIM card). the price is 499 euro for the 8GB and 569 euro for the 16GB model.
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Not in the U.S. since they do credit checks. But in some asian countries like China, you should be able to buy unlocked IPhones. I am not sure how expensive 3G ones are, but definitely cheaper than $800.
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You will get it here in US w/o contact in about 2 weeks. From WalMart. Leaks have it that Steve Jobs will announce iPhone Mini at the MacWorld converntion due later in January, and very much in line with his style, this is very likely to be the time when he announces iphones-with-AT&T.

Even if, by any chance, that is not the case, no doubt SOMETHING big will happen regarding iphone at the convention and you'd be better off buying iphone after that time.

You have already waited a while, so 2,3 weeks won't hurt.
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http://www.mobilewhack.com/iphone-locked-att.jpg

In US for the advertised prices of $199 and $299, you cannot buy without a contract . A day after announcing the new 3G version of the iPhone with its new low prices, Apple clarified that the bargain prices advertised were those customers would receive when purchasing subsidized phones which require the signing of a contract with a cellular service provider (AT&T in the US, O2 in the UK, etc).

Whether the iPhone 3G here in the US will be sold at any price to customers that do not wish to sign a contract with AT&T is still unknown. There are rumors that some overseas service providers plan to sell the new iPhone for prices roughly equivalent to $800 US for those unwilling to sign a service agreement, but these rumors are as of yet unconfirmed. Certainly in countries such as France, where it is illegal to require a contract purchase accompanying electronic devices, the iPhone 3G will be sold sans contract -- but at what price we do not yet know.

For now, the iPhone 3G will also not be available for online purchase. Whether you are purchasing through Apple or AT&T in the US, or via Apple or another service provider overseas, you'll need to head into a retail location to purchase the phone. With no iTunes activation of iPhones this time around, the activation process will all take place in the store where you purchase your shiny new iPhone.

http://www.mozami.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/iphone.jpg

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO----


SOLUTION 1------

Got to your nearest AT&T store.

Get the phone $199 with 2 year contract.After 30 Days cancel the service and pay ETF.

Your cost $199 + $175(ETF) + $35 (Activation) + $70(First month Service) + Tax $15 == $494


You can now unlock and use it with T-Mobile.. No 3G on T-mobile, but i need the GPS only.



SOLUTION 2------

NOTE:- THIS IS AN ARTICLE QUOTED FROM " phonenews.com " . FOR MORE INFO , VISIT THE LINK BELOW :----

*First, why would you want to do this?
Several reasons, really.
One, you may be an iPhone hacker, looking to get an iPhone 3G that isn’t tied to contract. This is the cheapest way to do that, by a good few hundred dollars.
Two, if you have an original iPhone under contract, using this method nets you an iPhone 3G without a contract reset.
Three, you may want to buy one for use on another carrier. While iPhone 3G will undoubtedly be locked to AT&T at launch, hackers will undoubtedly begin working to unlock the device for use on other carriers.
Four, you may be on AT&T prepaid service. While we can’t guarantee that iPhone 3G will work on GoPhone plans, there is evidence to indicate that it will.
Five, you want an iPod touch that just happens to be the latest cell phone as well. It’s just as cheap, and leaves the door open for you to sign up for service later.


*Here is what you need for this process:
1) Someone without an active AT&T account.
2) A first-generation iPhone. It can be used.
We have tested this guide up to the point of purchasing the iPhone 3G. According to AT&T’s guidelines for upgrading to an iPhone 3G, there should not be any issues with this guide.
See, as a part of Apple’s re-negotiations with AT&T, they put in one requirement; anyone with an iPhone on their account, is entitled to upgrade to the new iPhone 3G as if they were a new customer. We are going to exploit this as a loophole.

*Step 1: Setting up a new account with AT&T.
The first step is to sign up as a new customer, but not with an iPhone. Instead, you need to order online using this link (which takes you to AT&T’s online store) and get a phone without any mail-in rebates.


We suggest buying a refurbished AT&T Tilt as your phone of choice. This is a good phone because it is heavily discounted, and there aren’t any rebates. More on this later.
When your phone arrives, set it up with the new service plan that is bundled with the phone. Make a test call.

Update: Now you really, really need to use this link. It gives you a $50 discount when ordering.
We suggest buying a refurbished AT&T Tilt as your phone of choice. This is a good phone because it is heavily discounted, and there aren’t any rebates. More on this later.
When your phone arrives, set it up with the new service plan that is bundled with the phone. Make a test call.


http://blog.iphoneguide.com/image/att-logo-parental.jpg

*Step 2: Activating the first-generation iPhone.
Now, we’re going to take the first-generation iPhone and activate it.
(If this is a used iPhone, then go to your nearest AT&T store and ask for a new SIM card (they’re free). Insert the new SIM card into your iPhone.)
Next, connect the iPhone to iTunes. Follow the iTunes activation process, and be sure to chose the option to upgrade from your existing phone. iTunes will then transfer service from the phone you received from AT&T… to the particular iPhone.

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/07/iPhone-with-SIM.jpg


*Step 3: Buy the iPhone 3G.
Now, by activating the first-generation iPhone on your account, that makes you upgrade-eligible for iPhone 3G. Upon July 11, you simply need to wait in line, flash your iPhone to the store representatives, and walk out the door with iPhone 3G for $199 (or $299 if you chose the 16 GB iPhone).


*Step 4: Cancel service. (Optional).
For this, you will have to wait exactly 30 days. On the end of the last day of the first month, call AT&T and tell them you wish to cancel service. It may be best to do this after the local AT&T store closes in your area.
Why? Because AT&T has imposed a requirement that you return your iPhone within the first 30 days, if you wish to cancel service. So, we simply wait until it’s not possible to return the iPhone 3G on the 30th day. This prevents you from paying for a second month of service.
You will have to pay a $170 early termination fee ($175 less $5 pro-rated for the first month).


*Step 5: eBay the first AT&T phone, and the iPhone. (Also optional).
Remember that phone that we bought from AT&T, before activating the first-gen iPhone? Well, to recover the cost of the early termination fee, and one month of service… we’re going to sell that first phone.
Now it starts to make sense why we suggested the HTC Tilt. First, it’s cheap. Second, it’s popular. And, third… it’s easy to unlock! Unlocking a phone easily adds $50 to $100 to the cost of a device like the Tilt, so being able to do it easily is just a free bonus.
Also the lack of a mail-in rebate means you don’t have to hold onto the device for six months to get part of your money back.
Finally, you can eBay the first-generation iPhone. Unlocking that as well will increase its eBay value.

The result? The “profit” in selling the two under-contract devices for a no-contract price on eBay will cancel out the ETF and the first month of service. Of course, based on eBay prices, which are variable… we can’t say with certainty that you will wind up with a net cost of $199 for iPhone 3G. However, it should come close.
Here’s the math, in case you’re wondering:
AT&T Tilt Refurb price with 2-year contract: -$99
Activation Fee: -$36
One month of service: -$70
Early Termination Fee: -$170
iPhone 3G 8 GB: -$199
Total Costs: -$574
eBay value of AT&T Tilt Unlocked: ~$380
$574 - $380 = $194… that’s less than the price for an iPhone 3G, and you now have no contract. You can then sell the iPhone 3G, or activate it on another line of service.

link--- http://www.phonenews.com/how-to-get-an-iphone-3g-for-199-without-contract-3704/



SOME ARTICLES YOU MAY LIKE TO READ-----

1. iPhone Advice: You Can Buy The iPhone 3G Without A Contract (But Don't).---

http://machochip.com/2008/07/you-can-buy-the-iphone-3g-with.php
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