Unlocking SPV C550 - £35!!!!

knuckledragger

A friend was recently quoted £35 to unlock an SPV C550 in a shop. This seems a bit excessive. I know it can be done for free using readily available software but they (like me) aren't techie minded. Any thoughts on where it might be done cheaper. Will a market stall be able to do it just as well as a shop?

dc

Some will some won't, but should be less than £10.


dc

skip2mylou

hi knuckledragger...try the over-the-air method (using Orange's website) suggested on the SPV-developers forum...i think on modaco.com's forums they also have a step-by-step guide that is very clear and concise

unlocking your SPV C550 essentially involves 2 steps
1)disabling the limitations on the types of software you can install (aka decertifying)
2)unlocking the phone itself

sockpuppetuk

I did a couple using the method listed here.
http://www.modaco.com/INFO_Decert_SIM_Unlock_C550-t222786.html

RightRevBod

sockpuppetuk wrote:

I did a couple using the method listed here.
http://www.modaco.com/INFO_Decert_SIM_Unlock_C550-t222786.html

I also unlocked mine using the information on the modaco website. It realy is not too dificult.

knuckledragger:
I would be happy to do it for you if you pay the postage both ways, but it would probably be better for you to find somewhere local. You should not need to pay more than £10.

For the £35 quoted (may even be £30), Orange will unlock it themselves. If you should even need to get it replaced, they will then nlock the replacement FOC.

knuckledragger

skip2mylou/sockpuppetuk,
Thanks, I found the modaco link when I did a search yesterday. It just sounded a little daunting.

RightRevBod,
Thanks for the offer. I'm not too sure if they'd be happy sending an expensive little thing like that through the post. There seem to be too many sticky fingers handling post at the moment... LOL.

fonefather

Then send it by special delivery so that it covers your costs even if it did get nicked, best of all it's fully tracked all the way?

grumbler

knuckledragger wrote:

... I found the modaco link when I did a search yesterday. It just sounded a little daunting.....

I am non sure about 550, but my 13 y.o. son unlocked both his and my SPV500 half a year ago ...

iceburn

Yes it is very easy, but suprising not many places down here do it. I did my three myself and it is very easy. Orange unlock it for £25 but the problem for some ppl is that (don't know about pay as you go) on contract they want the rest of the year line rental upfront and in theory you should get 5% discount. In practice getting that 5% discount is like getting blood from a stone!.