Advice on unlocking phone

Santiago1_2

Have a decent Sony Ericsson phone which I used on an Orange contract connection before I upgraded to another handset. I tried to use it with a SIM card from another provider some time ago but didn't work. I guess it is 'locked' on the Orange network.

On the other hand, (much) older Siemens and Nokia phones I once used on a Vodafone contract were always accessible for use with non-Vodafone SIM cards (after the handsets had become obsolete).

My questions are:

- Is there a time limit perhaps after which old, unused phones get 'automatically' unlocked?

- Do I need to call Orange to have the Sony Ericsson unlocked? What number do I call?

- How much does it cost to get it unlocked? Is it a fixed price?

- If I try to unlock it, how quickly the unlocking would be effective?

Many thanks.

Kai

Santiago1 wrote: »

Have a decent Sony Ericsson phone which I used on an Orange contract connection before I upgraded to another handset. I tried to use it with a SIM card from another provider some time ago but didn't work. I guess it is 'locked' on the Orange network.

On the other hand, (much) older Siemens and Nokia phones I once used on a Vodafone contract were always accessible for use with non-Vodafone SIM cards (after the handsets had become obsolete).

My questions are:

- Is there a time limit perhaps after which old, unused phones get 'automatically' unlocked?

- Do I need to call Orange to have the Sony Ericsson unlocked? What number do I call?

- How much does it cost to get it unlocked? Is it a fixed price?

- If I try to unlock it, how quickly the unlocking would be effective?

Many thanks.

1. Phones are either locked or not. They will not unlock automatically - something has to be done to them to unlock them, either officially or unofficially.

2. Depends on the phone itself if you do it via third party means (eBay, market stall, online services, etc.). Generally, older phones are cheaper as methods have been established. If you do it through your network provider, they have a set price to unlock it. Vodafone and O2 should provide the unlock code for free (unless it's an iPhone 4). Orange usually costs around £20 (and you've owned the phone for 3+ months). 3 is £15-20 but I think they state that you must pay up the remainder of the contract first (although this was years ago I asked). T-Mobile I'm not sure about. Bear in mind that if you go through unofficial means to unlock your phone you will void your warranty if they find out.

3. Immediately as soon as it's done.

Hope that helps.

Santiago1_2

Thanks, Kai. It helps. I used the phone between 2006 and March 2010 when I signed up a new contract and got a new handset. So the one I would like to unlock is sort of redundant. Does this make any difference?