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unlocking network

I am thinking of buying a mobile phone on Ebay and some are unlocked and some are locked.

My question is: does it cost anything to 'unlock' from a particular network? Do the costs vary from network to network? Is it a hassle?

I am not a technically minded person so wonder if I should get an 'unlocked' phone even if they cost more - views and advice please.

Comments

  • elfen
    elfen Posts: 10,213 Forumite
    Some shops on the high street offer unlocking, and it can usually be anywhere between £10-£20, dependant on the phone.
    ** Total debt: £6950.82 ± May NSDs 1/10 **
    ** Fat Bum Shrinking: -7/56lbs **
    **SPC 2012 #1498 -£152 and 1499 ***
    I do it all because I'm scared.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The older phones you can unlock online with free software, the newer ones need a cable solution, which as elfen says you would rarely pay more than £20 for. Most independent phone shops or market stalls offer unlocking.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • I really want to replace my old Nokia N73, which is quite an old phone.

    Would there be a cheap unlocking solution for this as £10-£20 sounds a bit pricy?
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