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Russian customers will see the iPhone 3G as an unlocked handset, thanks to the current law. Vimpelcom is the first only one of the three Russian carriers to make the announcement, but based on the law in Russia it seems like just a matter of time before MobileTeleSystems (MTS) and MegaFon will offer up a similar announcement.

According to Vimpelcom CEO Alexander Izosimov, they “are in principle considering no subsidies for the time being as Russian law does not allow locking mobile phones.”

Still, nothing has been announced regarding a pricing model for either the iPhone 3G or the calling and data plans, however it looks like Vimpelcom are anxious to begin sales. Izosimov stated that they are ready because “the earlier we start working with it, the better we will be prepared. It is not technologies that will change, but the business model.”

And it seems that by Izosimov referring to business model, he is really talking about the expected higher than normal data usage that comes along with an iPhone user. Izosimov went on to mention that the use of data by iPhone users is typically “four to five times higher” than other phones, which sounds like it will be a big change for the Russian carriers. Currently its the voice traffic that gives Russian carriers most of their revenue, but they hope that will soon change.

[Reuters]