mobile phone unlocking

[Edt]

Looking at Nokias on ebay... 'unlocked' obviously means it take an sim from new.

However if a mob. has been already used with a contract, is the unit locked into that network or is removing the sim equal to unlocking it - or is there another step to take?

ta all
Ed

[towman]

worked for me!

Moved a 6230 from Voda contract to o2 PAYG.

http://unlock.nokiafree.org/

[richardt]

If you buy a phone that is unlocked you can put any sim into it and it will become whatever your sim tells it to do ie. if your sim is paygo then the phone will become paygo, if it a contract sim then simply put it in and away you go, still under contract.

If the phone is locked there are thousands of sites with unlock codes, and then you can do what you like with it. Sony Ericsson are not quite as easy but stil do-able.

[theblacktuscks]

Most mobile phones are locked to a network to prevent fraud and to allow the original provider the opportunity of recovering their investment in a handset. For example you could be offered a Nokia camera phone for free but you will pay a line rental and be locked into a contract. However, you can purchase a new unlocked phone but you will pay the "full" price for the item which can be much more than you think. Mobiles, in spite of what people think, are high end pieces of kit and are expensive to produce. However, once an owner is out of contract the provider will be willing to unlock the handset for a fee. e.g. Orange charge £35.00. There are plenty of back street merchants who will unlock any phone for a small amount of money but unless you are buying from a reputable dealer you must bear in mind that mobile phone theft is endemic in this country. All modern mobile telephones have an IMEI number "burned" into them and this is the reference that allows the industry to detect illegal use of a mobile. Fortunately this is becoming more and more sophisticated and there have been a number of successsful recoveries. In future, as this technology improves the industry will prosecute with vigour in order to stamp out this crime. If you require advice on getting a mobile please e-mail me privately through my profile.

[towman]

towman said:

Moved a 6230 from Voda contract to o2 PAYG.

Just to clafify (so you don`t think I am a bad person!), the 6230 was an upgrade. I`m not too bothered about the latest technology, so I carried on using my old one and gave it to my son. No defrauding of Vodaphone - they still get their money.

Steve