mobile network branding/firmware enquiry

bikebarbie

Hello,
as my contract has expired I was thinking about getting a Nokia N95 but from reading several posts it appears that if you buy from Voda or Orange they "cripple" the mobile by adding their own firmware that disable some options like VOIP. I know that o2 does not do this (well the firmware is mininum), so my question is:

Does anyone knows if other networks such T-Mobile, Virgin, Three...also "cripple" the phone?

Thanks

gulife

T-Mobile in the UK don't cripple it, infact the only bit of branding they seem to do is rename the internet to 'Web n' Walk. Virgin don't cripple it either. Not sure about Three.

But, on t-mobile's website it does state:

""We do not permit use of this service to provide modem access for a computer or for peer to peer file sharing, internet phone calls or instant messaging."

gaming_guy

you can debrand the phone using Nemesis service suite by changing the product code and updating the phones firmware via the nokia update service (the program is on the nokia site)

bikebarbie

We do not permit use of this service to provide modem access for a computer or for peer to peer file sharing, internet phone calls or instant messaging."Today 4:23 PM

herrr what does this mean in simple words ? Does o2 permit the above services? Or shall I say who else does not permits them?

Also I heard you can de-brand them but I am not sold on the idea because I dont think I would find it easy to do it and if something goes wrong (as it has been reported) then you are stuffed plus it invalidates the warranty so not an option but thanks for mentioning it anyway!