IPhone 3GS unresponsive/bricked after iOS5 Update

     First let me start off by saying that I feel Apple is a SUPERIOR company and 99% of the time have excellent things to say about their products. I will, and in this case have once again, continue to buy their products over any other company. That being said....
     I updated my iPhone 3GS on 12 Oct 11. When the process was almost completed I received the message that iTunes was unable to continue with activation at this time. I have called customer support numerous times (Case ID: 252118395) and have gone to the Apple store where I live. No one can seem to figure out what happened with the update or my iPhone. I tried reinstalling the OS over 50 times now and receive the same message. I went three days without a phone before I was forced to buy the 4S model. I am a career soldier waiting to deploy and going that long without a phone was unacceptable. All my 3GS has on the screen now is the gray screen saying "iPhone" and different languages scroll across. The last 4 times I have contacted Apple reference this I sit on hold for about 20 minutes and then it just goes to a ringing sound with no answer. This is absolutely unacceptable and I know Apple is a better company than to just keep giving me answers of, "I don't know what's wrong; keep trying; Give it more time." The Apple store manager at the Colorado Springs store told me it was because iOS5 wasn't compatible with the 3GS model; though your website clearly says it is as I told her. I was also told by an "Apple Genius" at the same store my "best friend" in my case was to "Google" it to see about unlocking the phone and reinstalling iOS 4 but she, "Couldn't really tell me that." Of a side note the complete lack of professionalism and "hey bro" attitude at this store was in stark contrast to the professional atmosphere and service excellence that the late Mr. Jobs fostered. All I want is for my old iPhone 3GS to be restored so at least we can use it for an iPod Touch. I have exhausted all attempts to contact Apple. A prompt response would be greatly appreciated as I know you are a much better run company than this and you give no real e-mail link to help out with such matters. Has anyone else had this issue???

HI All,
My iPhone 3Gs is not detecting any carriers.  I have just upgraded to ios 5.
I have tried my SIM in another phone and it is working OK.  The phone was unlokced by O2 and I have tried an O2 SIM in it which also does not work.
When I manually search for carriers then none are found.
I'm beginning to think this is a hardware fault.
Any ideas?

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