Can a network unlocked phone be blocked again by an operator?

buglawton

I know that I could use Checkmend site to check if a phone has dodgy history (but does anyone know how reliable Chackmend is?)

What if the phone has been unlocked to all networks, can the original network still block it?

I ask as I'm thinking of buying a used iPhone and an happy to check every point that's needed.

Nick_C

Yes it can. I bought a brand new factory sealed Samsung Galaxy Note 3 from a retailer in Amazon Marketplace last year. It worked for about a month, and was then blocked.

buglawton

Interesting, and I assume no authority would tell you why so you got an Amazon refund. Buying a used phone is 'conveniently risky' so that the manufacturers and major 'kosher' retailers can sell brand new ones, it seems.

grumbler

The entire system of blocking was ill-though and flawed from the start, if not unlawful.
Hardly a surprise if our beloved Ofcom or its predecessor was involved in its creation.

diamonds

Any mobile telecom provider can block a IMEI number (the phones DNA identifier available via *#06#) in the UK, regardless if even locked to another network or not.


If you report the loss with a IMEI number, even one digit wrong that can stop someone using their mobile/tablet/mifi or any other machine2machine with a IMEI, as grumbler said it is poorly implemented, I know someone Orange blocked in error but there was no way for the provider or customer to question Orange on their action on a handset bought and owned since new but blocked in error.

Nick_C

A couple of previous threads on this issue which OP may find interesting:-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4919838

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5024123

I wouldn't risk buying a second hand phone unless it was from a friend, and I would advise anyone buying a new handset to use a credit card to ensure they get S75 protection.

grumbler

diamonds wrote: »

If you report the loss with a IMEI number, even one digit wrong that can stop someone using their mobile/tablet/mifi or any other machine2machine with a IMEI,

I don't think that a network would block a phone that was neither sold by them nor used on this network by the customer reporting it. If so, such error as you say is impossible.

as grumbler said it is poorly implemented,

My point is that the owner can report it after selling legitimately to some other person and the network blocks it without checking the ownership simply because there is no mechanism in place for checking it. This is the fundamental flaw that, IMO, makes then entire system (almost?) unlawful.

Nick_C

grumbler wrote: »

I don't think that a network would block a phone that was neither sold by them nor used on this network by the customer reporting it.

My phone was not tied to a network. It was not badged. It was brand new. I used it on the Orange (EE) network. It was blocked by T-Mobile (EE). They refused to tell me why it was blocked.

grumbler

Well, this just proves my main point about the inherent unlawfulness of this system.
If I were you, I'd just sue T-mobile for the cost of the phone plus the stress and inconvenience they caused.

diamonds

grumbler wrote: »

I don't think that a network would block a phone that was neither sold by them nor used on this network by the customer reporting it. If so, such error as you say is impossible.
My point is that the owner can report it after selling legitimately to some other person and the network blocks it without checking the ownership simply because there is no mechanism in place for checking it. This is the fundamental flaw that, IMO, makes then entire system (almost?) unlawful.

Its not, the IMEI used can be the one previously informed by the customer or accidental mistype, Orange used to ask the IMEI rather than look at the last connected device, lazy or customer service could not access it I dont know. Orange even activating a PAYG needed a IMEI as registration.

I agree, its a absolute substandard.

buglawton

Nick_C wrote: »

My phone was not tied to a network. It was not badged. It was brand new. I used it on the Orange (EE) network. It was blocked by T-Mobile (EE). They refused to tell me why it was blocked.

How did you know/prove it was T-mobile/EE that blocked it?
If there was a way of proving which network blocked it, users have a way of launching a Small Claim.