Using UK mobile with South African Sim Card

Omega_1

Can anyone advise whether I can use my UK tri-band Nokia 6230i mobile in South Africa with a locally purchased (PAYG or similar) sim card or do I have to get it 'doctored' or do I have no option but to rent a mobile out there ?

lauraaurora

My firend has just come back from SA where she used her Sony Ericsson out there with a SA sim card.

redux

You can use it without any problems, but it may need unlocking from the current network first; try a different network SIM in and see.

There's a thread at the top of the board where you can ask someone to work out the code to do this for you; read the first post by Browntoa for instructions

ioscorpio

My son was given a T mobile sim and phone whilst he was here recently on holiday, when he went back home to Cape Town he got the phone unlocked and now uses a SA sim card in it

Paulee

Hi Omega_1,

I took my oldish Nokia with me on holiday there a couple of years ago. It was locked to T Mobile but the shop that I bought a cheap local sim card from unlocked the phone easily for a small fee. Just one thing to look out for, I bought the cheapest sim card from a phone company called Cell C. Apparently they were the newest mobile service provider and whilst the phone worked well in Cape Town, it was very iffy (generally no signal) "out in the sticks". This may well have changed now, but it's worth bearing in mind. SA's a fabulous place, have a good time.

Paul.

4$£&*(£$&*(!

The 6230 is one of the only truely 'global' phones as you can use it on any 2G and 3G network in the world, along with 2.5G that is used only in Japan (and that is a rarity having that feature).

Make sure it is sim unlocked though before you go - this will almost certainly be the case unless you've used O2. If you was the contract holder you won't have any problems. If not and you brought it 'locked' on ebay or wherever, you have to track down the original owner as you may not be able to get it unlocked yourself, it has to be the original owner for some networks.

redux

CitySlicker wrote:

The 6230 is one of the only truely 'global' phones as you can use it on any 2G and 3G network in the world, along with 2.5G that is used only in Japan (and that is a rarity having that feature).

I think maybe you've confused it with another phone - no 3g

http://www.forum.nokia.com/devices/6230i

4$£&*(£$&*(!

Yes you're right I confused that with the 6630, sorry about that.

Omega_1

many thanks to all for the information - I am using my 'last years' 6230i which browntoa very kindly (and patiently !) unlocked for me so it looks as though i don't need to have it doctored and can use any bought sim out there - thanks for the tip re Cell C - will avoid them.