French iPhone pusher, Orange, claims that about 20 percent of the 30,000 iPhones it managed to sell since last week have already been unlocked.

Despite the fact that Orange is required to offer an unlocked version of the popular handset for 749 euros, which is 250 less than in Germany, the freedom-loving French are still taking matters into their own hands. Of course, they're ignoring Apple's repeated warnings that it will turn all unlocked iPhones into overpriced paperweights, but the risk seems to be worth it.

Orange claims that 48 percent of iPhone buyers are new to the network, so it's safe to assume that the number of unlocked phones will rise even further. Mon Dieu! Vive la Resistance!

More here.