Mobile unlock on ending contract

GTJ

I think that all mobiles which have been locked to a provider should be unlocked for free at the end of the contract. Customers have already paid for the phone through their contract, why should they then be charged what amounts to a "release fee" as well? You own the phone, but the provider still has the right to prevent you connecting to a rival unless an unlock fee is paid (either through the provider or through a third party)

lanstrom

I think a lot of them do it for FREE now (I know that THREE do). You just have to request the unlock code.

Now actually getting the code is another matter ... THREE said they would email it to me but I got an 8 digit code by txt. It didnt work so I phoned them. Their CS said that it should be 16 digits and will be emailed to me from Samsung. He said that THREE do NOT send out txts with the code on. Week later and still NOTHING so I phone them again. This time I am told by the CS that they will look into it but since it was a Saturday I would have to wait until Monday when she would DEFINITELY phone me back (so promised she wouldnt let me down) ... guess what ... its now Wednesday and I still haven't heard off them. HOPELESS.

d123

lanstrom wrote: »

He said that THREE do NOT send out txts with the code on.

He lied, I received a text with an unlock code from Three yesterday, no other communication, no email (which is what I expected), just a text to the number I used to request the unlock.

Your unlock code is 654186354753344. Instructions for unlocking your device (IMEI: ) can be found at http://unlock.lucidcx.com/cmutil/sc.html?id=136

lanstrom

d123 wrote: »

Your unlock code is 654186354753344.

So your code was 15 digits. What phone was this for ? I got codes for 2 Samsung's and both of them were 8 digit. So far I have only tested the 1 and it didn't work. I am waiting for another SIM to test the other phone.

d123

lanstrom wrote: »

So your code was 15 digits. What phone was this for ? I got codes for 2 Samsung's and both of them were 8 digit. So far I have only tested the 1 and it didn't work. I am waiting for another SIM to test the other phone.

It was for a Nokia.

gjchester

GTJ wrote: »

I think that all mobiles which have been locked to a provider should be unlocked for free at the end of the contract. Customers have already paid for the phone through their contract, why should they then be charged what amounts to a "release fee" as well? You own the phone, but the provider still has the right to prevent you connecting to a rival unless an unlock fee is paid (either through the provider or through a third party)

Lobby OfCOM, they are the ones that could push this through. However as has been said all network other than the EE family and Virgin will unlock a contract phone for free at the end of a contract if requested.

20aday

Vodafone will also unlock your phone once you're out of contract (it's £19.99 on PAYM during the minimum term.)