Believe it or not, I have discovered that Apple is indeed preparing to offer the iPhone on multiple carriers’ networks. I literally stumbled upon this “back-door” network selection option within the iPhone.

It needs to be noted that while I am able to select the Network options of the iPhone, I have yet to be able to change it to a different carrier network. Moreover, when one proceeds into the network settings on the iPhone, the iPhone will return with an error message sometimes and other times will allow you to select multiple AT&T networks. Furthermore, I noted that the network selector acknowledged that I was on an AT&T network already. Here are the steps you can take to see this hidden Network selection feature…

First, go the settings and put the iPhone into “Airplane Mode”.

Second, click on the home button.

Third, turn off the iPhone.

Fourth, turn on the iPhone.

Fifth, upon turning on the iPhone you will be asked whether you would like to disable the “Airplane Mode” settings to be able to send and received content. Push on the “disable” option to turn off the “Airplane Mode”.

Sixth, go to the settings tab.

Seventh, upon opening the settings tab of the iPhone you will notice that under the Wi-Fi selection scroll bar there is the Networks Selection tab. Open that and you will receive an error message. You can try again, and the second time it will likely say loading and then give you a list of other AT&T networks…

Next, if you click out the Network Selection you will see that the iPhone has labeled your current Network as being AT&T.

Finally, if you return to the black home screen and try to go to settings and find the Network Selection tool you will find that it is not there. Apparently, in order for one to see the Network Selection tool you must go through the steps listed above every time.

Concluding, while the iPhone can only be operated on an AT&T network unless manually unlocked, this discovery is proof that Apple is preparing for the day when every user will be able to select which Carriers’ Network they wish to be on.

For all purposes of disclosure, I have not altered the iPhone software in anyway.