Interested in getting the first Google Android cell phone but don’t have T-Mobile service (or the desire to switch to them)? It looks like the G1 falls under the same ruleset the all other T-Mobile devices do, allowing you to request an unlock code from them once you’ve had an active account for 90 days. That means that unfortunately, even if you buy the phone outright and unsubsidized, you can’t have it unlocked for you by T-Mobile.

Considering the openness of the google Android platform, many assume that this will be a moot point shortly after launch that there will be an app that is capable of unlocking the G1. We’ll have to wait and see how everything unfolds as we get closer to the launch date.

Here’s the official word from T-Mobile:

T-Mobile branded phones operating on the T-Mobile network may only use T-Mobile SIM cards. To use a T-Mobile branded phone on another wireless carrier’s network with a non-T-Mobile SIM card, you must first request a "SIM Unlock" code from T-Mobile. Conversely, if you have a phone from another North American wireless carrier, you may need to request a "SIM Unlock" code from that carrier before being able to use a T-Mobile SIM card on the T-Mobile network.

* SIM Unlock Codes will only be provided after your account has been active for 90 days. Only one unlock code may be provided per customer every 90 days.

Tags: app market, carrier free, google android, t-mobile, unlock