Yesterday, reader Josh Campbell sent us an open letter to Apple describing his experiences with the iPhone 3G's international calling plan structure, especially for users who require international travel and a lack of cohesion among Apple Certified wireless carriers.

The piece makes some relevant points and we'd like to see how your international iPhone experience compares with Mr. Campbell's:

Dear Apple,

I am a huge Apple supporter. I'm currently on my fourth Apple notebook, third iPod and first iPhone. In addition, I am a film editor and have worked on assorted major motion pictures. In my role as editor, I make decisions on software and hardware that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each film. I fight for Apple products regularly and I am a big fan of Final Cut Pro.

Thus, I am disheartened and distraught in my current situation. I purchased a "pay as you go" iPhone 3G from O2 UK a few weeks ago (serial number 87833U2YY7K). The phone cost 400 pounds (800 dollars) and has no monthly plan attached. At the time I was working in London. However, shortly thereafter, I got a job in Prague, Czech Republic. I will be here for months if not longer and the use of my iPhone would be a great help in my work.

I purchased a "pay as you go" phone with the knowledge that I might have to move for work. I did not want to take advantage of a company, nor be beholden to a one or two year calling plan. I assumed that if I paid full price for the product, I would be allowed to use it in other countries with other Apple Certified carriers.

Boy was that a mistake. In the last week I have spent countless hours on the phone with Apple CZ, Apple UK, Apple America (case number 107772135), O2 CZ and O2 UK. No one has been able to help me. They all say the same thing - the phone cannot be unlocked, even if it is to use it with another Apple carrier in a different country. It turns out that even if I lived in two places – say Prague and London – with separate certified carriers, I would not be able to use my phone in both locations EVEN IF I was willing to sign up for extended plans with both carriers. Instead, I would be forced to buy two separate phones.

This is where my dissatisfaction grows into rage. Now I am in a position where I must either abandon the phone (and the 800 dollars) or invest more time and money into some kind of dodgy third party hack (which doesn't exist for the 3G anyhow). This, despite my good faith efforts in both buying the phone for full price and having no control over my job situation. Moreover, I'm told that I could have bought the phone for the same price in France and had it unlocked. So I was just stupidly honorable. Instead, I should have done a bit more research on how to rig the system.

It’s never a good business plan to force your best customers into becoming black market researchers just so they can use your product.

Apple, please rectify this situation. I am not the first loyal customer that has purchased an iPhone and then had to move to another country. I have done nothing wrong and yet I am being punished for acting in good faith. I am happy to use the providers you've contracted with. I've paid full price for the phone. And yet no one at Apple or O2 has had any ability or interest in helping me. What more must I do in order to get help?

This isn’t right and if a solution isn’t found you’ll be turning one of your best customers into an enemy. There’s no need for that. Please just help.

Sincerely,

Josh Campbell

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