Huawei Ascend G300 - changing provider, looking for advice

phenum

Hey people,

I purchased my first smart phone today based on the recommendations from this forum. I'm really happy with it. It's excellent value for money and so far I cannot fault it.

Unfortunately though I'm going to assume it's locked because I was required to purchase a Vodaphone top-up and it came with a Vodaphone sim card.

I primarily want to use it to access the Internet and it looks like 3 has the best deals out there for that purpose.

What I want to know is, if I go through the motions of getting this unlocked will it work fine on the 3 network?

Also, does anyone know if their unlimited, all you can eat data is actually unlimited? I'd love to use this phone as a modem/gateway if possible so that I can access the Internet from my laptop.

Just trying to avoid any potential pitfalls.

TIA

Kite2010

Looking on Hot Deals UK and it looks like the cost of an official unlock via Vodafone is £20.

Look at the T&Cs of the 3 deal to see if it allows use of the phone as a modem

Quentin

Yes (re 3 network working ok)

All you can eat is unlimited, but you cannot tether with it (if that's what you had in mind)

(Check with a non voda sim that it is locked before embarking on paying for an unlock code - ebay cheaper than voda for unlock code!)

Kite2010

Don't Vodafone take the money for the unlock from the PAYG balance, so if the ebay code is £9, pay the extra £1 and get Vodafone to do it. At least you are not wasting the £10 on that Sim Card.

sdduk

eBay do it have a look

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=unlock+code+for+Huawei+Ascend+G300&_sacat=15032

looks good to me i always use eBay for codes even my i Phone i had factory unlocked from eBay.

Guys_Dad

Before spending even 1p, try a different sim in it first.

If you got it from CPW or an independent reseller, then it may very well be unlocked.

Before signing up for ANY network, make sure that you get reception and, even with the good deal, I would avoid 3 as they don't have a 2G fall back and they are almost impossible to cancel.

phenum

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Before spending even 1p, try a different sim in it first.

If you got it from CPW or an independent reseller, then it may very well be unlocked.

Before signing up for ANY network, make sure that you get reception and, even with the good deal, I would avoid 3 as they don't have a 2G fall back and they are almost impossible to cancel.

I purchased it from Argos. I'm going to try another sim card tomorrow. I doubt it is unlocked but worth a try. Also tethering won't be an issue.

Thanks for the posts everyone. I'll keep this thread updated for other folk with the same questions.

Rusty!

Some ones from the Voda shop are unlocked, it's a bit random for some reason.

luci

I used this one for the unlock code. Cheaper than the one above and code worked first time.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261016690849?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

JethroUK

I hear ovivo do a good sim only deals and they use vodafone so no need to unlock

http://ovivomobile.com/

Iconic

I got one from Tesco yesterday and it was already unlocked!

Originally I was going to leave it as it was but there is quite a bit of Vodafone bloatware that I would like to get rid of.

I have seen these guides.....

http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Blog/Guide-How-to-root-and-install-Android-4-0-3-on-Huawei-Ascend/ba-p/5781620

http://www.modaco.com/topic/355583-guide-how-to-install-and-root-ics-403-on-the-g300/

Any further tips to ensure I don't brick the phone before I start?