Mobile phone locking

Theodoric · 10-08-2007, 19:17

A combination of a vague desire to upgrade my antique mobile phone and a stall in our local market that is always advertising, "Mobile phones unlocked" led me to do a bit of googling. I'd always thought that it was something to do with the security PIN number but I now find that it it is for the networks to lock you into their services and prevent you switching companies. Now that I know (very vaguely) what it's all about, perhaps someone can enlighten me on a few points.

1) Do all companies do this or is it not all that common? Are there any companies to be avoided?

2) Is it all that important? In other words do many people actually bother changing their network.

3) If it is important, is it illegal to get your phone unlocked and, if it isn't illegal, what's the best way of doing it?

4) Anything else I should know about phone locking before I start writing to Santa Claus?

tay77 · 10-08-2007, 19:37

Unlocking your phone voids the warranty.

Most people unlock phones when they want to use an existing sim card (say, o2) in, say, an Orange-Locked phone.

Those stall runners will unlock phones and charge you a bit for it. There are code calculators and unlocker softwares online (mostly downloads, all free). I've used a fair few (unlocked many different phone types) and they all seem to work fine.

**Kevin T** · 10-08-2007, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by tay77

Unlocking your phone voids the warranty.

Most people unlock phones when they want to use an existing sim card (say, o2) in, say, an Orange-Locked phone.

Those stall runners will unlock phones and charge you a bit for it. There are code calculators and unlocker softwares online (mostly downloads, all free). I've used a fair few (unlocked many different phone types) and they all seem to work fine.

Trouble is certain phone data cables (to connect your mobile to the PC to do the unlocking) are a rip-off... If you're only going to do it the once for one particular phone type, it's probably cheaper to get it done at a market stall...

tay77 · 10-08-2007, 20:07

My Sony Ericsson and Motorola ones were done through the USB cable supplied in the Phone Box.

Some stall operators apparently need to take your phone away so they can unlock them. Hence the reason why I got the software myself.

**Russ B** · 10-08-2007, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

1) Do all companies do this or is it not all that common? Are there any companies to be avoided?

Loads of companies do it, if you do it online do a google on the company first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

2) Is it all that important? In other words do many people actually bother changing their network.

It's handy if you go abroad - you can use a foreign SIM then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

3) If it is important, is it illegal to get your phone unlocked and, if it isn't illegal, what's the best way of doing it?

100& legal but it might invalidate your warranty. The best way is to ask your network really but if you have a Nokia then most markets have a bloke who'll do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

4) Anything else I should know about phone locking before I start writing to Santa Claus?

Depends on your phone - Nokia phones can be unlocked remotely (ie someone gives you a code), SE, Motos etc usually need a cable so either you'll have to send it off or take it to a shop.

Osem · 10-08-2007, 21:17

As I understand it the phone companies will unlock their phones for a small charge or even nothing depending on how much has been spent on that phone.

tay77 · 10-08-2007, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

As I understand it the phone companies will unlock their phones for a small charge or even nothing depending on how much has been spent on that phone.

Most operators charge £30.

Virgin do it free, provided you've spent £20-ish on Credit.

Smilie · 10-08-2007, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

1) Do all companies do this or is it not all that common? Are there any companies to be avoided?

think all companies does this
but sometimes u get phones that are not locked
all my phones from vodafone are unlocked (monthly contract)
but heard from friends that have vodafone mobiles that are locked

think that phones that have the operators name on are usually locked
(logos like vodaphone/orange etc on the phone)

and think all PAYG phones are locked

and as tay77 said
most if not all operators will unlock it for you for a fee
which could be high if the phone is a newer model

its to stop people opening a contract phone and just sell it off at ebay or whatever and other reasons

**Russ B** · 10-08-2007, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smilie

and think all PAYG phones are locked

Not all - the ones Carphone Warehouse sell are unlocked.

tcbass · 14-08-2007, 13:10

Some Independent Mobile phone retailers will sell unlocked phones, depending on model/ network etc. it's worth asking what they got.
Vodafone has always unlocked my phones for free when I have reached the end of my contract (which I have always done regardless of my plans for the phone). The only other reason you would want to do it before the end of contract is (as said earlier) you want to use a foreign sim abroad or you want to give away/sell your pone, but you would still be liable for the contract (if you have one).

Druchii · 14-08-2007, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

Not all - the ones Carphone Warehouse sell are unlocked.

I second that.

1) Pretty much all companies do lock the phones to their networks, however some, such as fresh mobile don't appear to, these smaller networks may well be the ones that simply supply a phone from the manufacturer with no tampering.

2) It's always good to be unlocked in case you find an old SIM you want something off (A number say), or if you do want to change PAyG or contract networks, or, of course the foreign option, which is why i bought a new K750i (Unlocked) for Norway, and sold of my non-unlockable CID49 K750i. It's also useful if a friends phone has died and they really need to use a phone on the go.

3) It's not illegal, you can take it to the local market if you're comfortable with that, or pay more and get the operator to do it, which would be safer. Generally though, markets and some independent shops are the way forward. (One called Fonebooth in Doncaster is good for this, very trustworthy)

4) Some phones may not be unlocked, due to the filesystem being too new to be decrypted or cracked yet.

SMHarman · 14-08-2007, 17:49

Orange would not sell me my unlock code until the end of the 12m contract unless I paid up the rest of the 12m contract at the time of the unlock.
Paid the guy in the market 10 quid to do it (k750i).
Of course if you then get it replaced under insurance or wwty the new handset also needs unlocking.

Theodoric · 14-08-2007, 18:41

Thanks for the replies. It would appear that the major risk is voiding your warranty so, I suppose, a decision on whether or not to do it could depend on the price of the phone.

I'm comforted to see that not a single person has said anything along the lines of, "Don't trust anyone on a market stall." Obviously, market stall holders are considered trustworthy when it comes to unlocking phones.

SMHarman · 14-08-2007, 21:12

They don't need your phone SIM card to unlock it and will generally test the unlock by putting another carriers sim in when done.
I'm not sure I would want to leave my phone with one of them for a long period of time, but I certainly left my phone with them for 20 mins and went shopping while they did there thing to it.
That said the guy is in Hertford market every saturday for as long as I can rememeber.