Previously, required that you break out some sharp tools—or at least a SIM cutter. Now that T-Mobile’s selling ready-made micro-SIM cards, however, such physical hackery will become a thing of the past, perhaps easing the way for consumers looking for an alternative to AT&T (the Verizon-compatible iPhone 4 doesn’t use a SIM card and thus can’t be used on T-Mobile’s network). Apple ; before that, unlocking could only be performed by first jailbreaking your iPhone.

If you’re willing to ink a two-year contract with T-Mobile, your micro-SIM card is free. It’s also worth noting that T-Mobile and AT&T’s 3G frequencies are incompatible, meaning that the iPhone 4 will be limited to running on T-Mobile’s slower EDGE network. Still, that apparently hasn’t stopped customers: In June, T-Mobile reported that run on its U.S. network.

[via ]