can you unlock mobiles if you have a contract?

lauraw78

Probably a stupid question but is it possible to unlock a motorola v550 under contract with vodafone? Is this illegal? Not too sure how this works...advice greatly needed as I just cant afford to be under contract anymore and really want to go back to 02
Thanks

Browntoa

you can unlock it , the phone is yours, the contract is on the Sim card.

As long as you finish your contract (there is no way out of that) you don't owe them anything

ianonline

I thought I read somewhere that contract phones were not locked, only PAYG phones.

I suppose this would make sense given that with a contract phone you are obviously tied in for a minimum term so they have you by the short & curlies regardless of whether you were to switch networks before your contract is up. On the other hand, there is no tie-in with PAYG phones and the handset prices are generally subsidised so they need to lock their phones in order to try and protect their interests.

Is this right or did I just imagine it ?

Hunnymonster

It's normal on Vodafone & O2 for the handsets to be unlocked (possibly not the XDA series on O2) - but on Orange & T-Mobile all handsets seem to be locked (in my experience at least)

drahcir_2

a lot of vodas seem to be locked now as well (some wont even work with voda payg sim even though it works with voda contract sim untill unlocked)

lauraw78

Thanx for the advice guys!

groover_3

drahcir wrote:

(some wont even work with voda payg sim even though it works with voda contract sim untill unlocked)

Crazy. Wonder why they have done that. Handy information to know. Thanks.

drahcir_2

it may be the other way round ie voda contract wont work in payg
i cant remember now

groover_3

Cool. I'll let you know if me or mate get any at the market.......