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Should All Phones Now Be Unlocked |
fluke9
Joined: Oct 31, 2006
Posts: 461
From: Sarf Lundun UK
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I have just been asked by a mate if PAYG phones are unlocked ???
I remember reading something on here about it being illegal to lock phones to a provider, a mate has seen a good deal on a T Mobile N79 (Online) and wants to know if it would be unlocked the seller has no idea, the phone is new and unused in a sealed box.
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jcwhite_uk
Joined: Feb 18, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dorset, UK Phone:Xperia Z1
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It is not illegal to lock phones to a network. According to european law it is a legal requirement that a network can provide an unlock code for your phone which they may charge for. most PAYG phones are locked.
Checkout my photos at My Website"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together." |
fluke9
Joined: Oct 31, 2006
Posts: 461
From: Sarf Lundun UK
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Thanks for that, I just phoned Tmobile £15 and 28 days 
Can these be unlocked by a local shop/market bloke in a couple of minutes ???
Or online somehow ??
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Aware
Joined: Jun 24, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Oxon, UK
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...it's supposed to be illegal to PERMANENTLY lock a phone to a single provider(i.e: O2/iPhoney)...however, I've never seen anyone take a network to court over an unlock code, they seem to settle to not bother in the end...... 
I'd expect a T-Mobile phone to come locked, rather than unlocked btw, they're tight like that(like Orange) - sorry! 
EDIT: T-Mob unlocks on Ebay: Here
Seems to be a half-decent choice for you......
HTH
[ This Message was edited by: Aware on 2009-06-12 10:27 ]  p990i(r6d), n82-1(20.0.062) * treat people as you expect to be treated! * a-zott platinum/tttt in ~3 years...  rip expanded call lists! |
JD4341
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 62
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Vodafone contract phones now sold unlocked from new |
jcwhite_uk
Joined: Feb 18, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dorset, UK Phone:Xperia Z1
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On 2009-06-12 13:56:11, JD4341 wrote:
Vodafone contract phones now sold unlocked from new
Not all of them. Blackberries are still locked.
Checkout my photos at My Website"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together." |
fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
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On 2009-06-12 14:13:01, jcwhite_uk wrote:
Not all of them. Blackberries are still locked.
How can you lock a fruit?
Plural of BlackBerry is BlackBerry Smartphones! 
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Nanu
Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Warrington, UK
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On 2009-06-12 14:29:41, fatreg wrote:
On 2009-06-12 14:13:01, jcwhite_uk wrote:
Not all of them. Blackberries are still locked.
How can you lock a fruit?
Plural of BlackBerry is BlackBerry Smartphones!
Who told you that?  
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carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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There are no locked phones in NZ, even the iPhone is unlocked.
Isn't locking illegal in Belgium and certain other EU countries?
If I had any blackberries, I'd keep them under lock and key! Yumm...
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2009-06-12 22:20 ] |
Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
Posts: > 500
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Just buy a pay as you go phone from Carphone they are all unlocked unless you buy it on 3UK network
Phone?? What phone?? |
fluke9
Joined: Oct 31, 2006
Posts: 461
From: Sarf Lundun UK
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Does not help when it an N79.
Cheaper else where but I think its sorted now.
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samab
Joined: Nov 12, 2007
Posts: 17
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On 2009-06-12 11:12:21, jcwhite_uk wrote:
It is not illegal to lock phones to a network. According to european law it is a legal requirement that a network can provide an unlock code for your phone which they may charge for. most PAYG phones are locked.
That is no longer true.
The EC adopted the "customer awareness" doctrine many years ago. The carriers basically can do whatever they want --- as long as they tell you clearly before hand. Ofcom adopted this EC doctrine. 3 UK can crazyglued the sim card into their PAYG phones --- as long as they tell you that this phone is permanently locked to 3 UK before you purchased the phone. O2 can sell you a permanently simlocked iphone and Vodafone can sell you a simlocked blackberry --- as long as they tell you before hand that they will never ever ever ever give you the unlocking code.
A few European countries went further than what the EC said --- like making regulations on how long the simlock can last. But as we have seen the iphone's launch in Europe, Apple made a mockery of these regulations (i.e. by selling the 1000 euro iphone). |
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Posted: 2009-06-12 11:08
p990i(r6d), n82-1(20.0.062)
