Unlocking Phones To The Three Network

bargainboy

Hi can anyone tell me if phones that can be unlocked to any network work with 3,
For some reason the phones on Ebay are unlocked to any network except 3
I want a different phone and am on the 3 network I dont use video calling so if this is the only issue then I dont mind.
thanks in advance for any help on this.

gaming_guy

all of the phones on the 3 network are 3g, not 2g like the sony ericsson k750i and nokia 6230i and many others. the 2 phones i mentioned are not compatible with the 3 network as three uses a 3g network with much higher bandwidth (and a different gsm frequency, i think!) than 2g networks such as virgin, orange ,vodafone etc

bargainboy

gaming_guy wrote:

all of the phones on the 3 network are 3g, not 2g like the sony ericsson k750i and nokia 6230i and many others. the 2 phones i mentioned are not compatible with the 3 network as three uses a 3g network with much higher bandwidth (and a different gsm frequency, i think!) than 2g networks such as virgin, orange ,vodafone etc

Sorry I dont understand what that means
Does it mean that if a phone is not on the 3 network to begin with then it cant be unlocked to work with 3

gaming_guy

put it this way

this k750i (this was picked at random, before anyone moans that i have posted one of my items) it clearly states GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 are bands that are supported by this phone. 3g uses a system called UTMS which is incompatible with this phone as it doesnt support speeds of up to 384kbps/sec (i think).

if you do a network scan on a 2g phone, it will only find tmobile,o2,vodafone and orange not 3 as it uses a completely different system to 2g mobiles/networks

if you are still confused look here

shortguy4u

bargainboy wrote:

Hi can anyone tell me if phones that can be unlocked to any network work with 3,
For some reason the phones on Ebay are unlocked to any network except 3
I want a different phone and am on the 3 network I dont use video calling so if this is the only issue then I dont mind.
thanks in advance for any help on this.

What phone are you currently using and what phone would you like to use?

Might be able to halp you find a phone similar to the one you are after that is compatible with the three network.

bargainboy

I currently am using a LG 8120, this is a replacement as I recently broke my Nokia N70, I have a brand new one that is going on Ebay once i get a new hopefully Sony Ericsson
not too bothered about a fancy camera I just want it to look nice with internet browsing and a MP3 player,

shortguy4u

I have currently got the SE K610i and would def reccommend it. Have used it for over 6 mths and it is very easy to use. Camera is not on par with other SE handsets, but like urself this wasnt a big issue with me.

I havent used it for internet browsing, but it is fine browsing planet 3. The MP3 player is good too, simple to use...tho u will need to get some better headfones to get the best out of it.

Otherwise there are the SE K800 (Same as K610 but much better camera), W850i (nice slider music fone - tho have heard some complaints bout it) and W950i (awesome music fone - 4GB memory - but no camera).

Sagor

Make sure you put your 3 sim in a 3 approved phone, i.e. a 3G phone, otherwise 3 will block your sim.

I put my 3 sim in a Nokia 3220 as it worked on that phone although it was not a 3G phone, my sim got blocked without any warning, i had to call 3 from another phone to get it unblocked.

they said i will be charged if i did it again. :mad:

elljay20

3 wont let you use a sim in an unauthorised handset. if you're on three you need to buy a 3g phone.

bargainboy

shortguy4u wrote:

I have currently got the SE K610i and would def reccommend it. Have used it for over 6 mths and it is very easy to use. Camera is not on par with other SE handsets, but like urself this wasnt a big issue with me.

I havent used it for internet browsing, but it is fine browsing planet 3. The MP3 player is good too, simple to use...tho u will need to get some better headfones to get the best out of it.

Otherwise there are the SE K800 (Same as K610 but much better camera), W850i (nice slider music fone - tho have heard some complaints bout it) and W950i (awesome music fone - 4GB memory - but no camera).

I am currently looking at the K610 and K800 althoughthe 800 is a bit too pricey so may pick up a 610 for @ £45-65 just need to keep looking thanks though this info is great

mobyfix

Sagor wrote:

Make sure you put your 3 sim in a 3 approved phone, i.e. a 3G phone, otherwise 3 will block your sim.

I put my 3 sim in a Nokia 3220 as it worked on that phone although it was not a 3G phone, my sim got blocked without any warning, i had to call 3 from another phone to get it unblocked.

they said i will be charged if i did it again. :mad:

Just to clarify the situation........ 3 have a roaming partner ( used to be 02 but i believe it is now Orange ) this is to maintain good coverage where the 3 network is weak... The roaming partner is a normal 2.5 g gsm network. 3 pays the roaming partner for the calls made using their network.....

If you use a non 3g handset it will mean you can only access 2.5g networks and therefore 3 will notice that you can no longer use their network and that all your calls are made through the roaming partner and costing them money !

3 don't like losing money on each call so as soon as they realise you are using a gsm phone they block the card........

helpful ?