Orange in France Problem

bobmccluckie

Firstly I'm new to the forum so apologies if this has been done before. I have a pay as you go Orange mobile. I bought an orange SIM card in the summer to use in France. The phone won't recognise it. Orange UK say I've got to pay them to do something. Is there any way round this blatant rip off? Is it just a question of using the unlocking code software available elsewhere on this site?
Any help gratefully received

Bob

Steve_xx

It sounds like you have bought a phone which is locked onto another network, ie o2, TMobile or Vodafone. You will need to get the handset 'unlocked' before using it with your Orange SIM card.

You may be able to do this yourself. Go to this site and see if your handset model is shown, and if it is, you will probably be able to unlock it yourself at no charge:

http://www.trycktill.com/eng/unlock_swe.asp

Beninio88

Sounds more like you have to get Orange to activate roaming on your phone/account. Can you ring them back up and ask exactly what and how much they charge? I heard that Orange are charging a £50 deposit that you get back to activate roaming. Not sure if it applies to payg as well as contracts though.

Steve_xx

Beninio88 wrote:

Sounds more like you have to get Orange to activate roaming on your phone/account. Can you ring them back up and ask exactly what and how much they charge? I heard that Orange are charging a £50 deposit that you get back to activate roaming. Not sure if it applies to payg as well as contracts though.

He says that the handset will not recognise the SIM.Therefore it would appear to be 'locked'.

bobmccluckie

my phone is a pay as you go on the Orange network. They want £40. I don't understand what this is for.

Bob

Steve_xx

You should ask them what they want £40 for.

2ax

This is their charge for unlocking the phone - Orange UK and Orange France are separate networks as far as the phone is concerned.

As you surmise, you should be able to get it done cheaper or free depending on brand. Nokias are the simplest - for others, Browntoa or drahcir will offer advice when they see this.

drahcir_2

whats the make and model of the phone amd ill tell you the best unlocking method
as 2ax says - i dont think orange uk and orange fra are the same
you could put a load of credit on and use your uk payg sim (although this would be expensive if making a lot of calls)

Steve_xx

drahcir wrote:

whats the make and model of the phone amd ill tell you the best unlocking method
as 2ax says - i dont think orange uk and orange fra are the same
you could put a load of credit on and use your uk payg sim (although this would be expensive if making a lot of calls)

Orange is currently owned by France Telecom. They also own Orange France.

Browntoa

same company but locked phone for Orange Uk will not accept Orange France sim card as the phone is locked solely to the UK Network

Steve_xx

Browntoa wrote:

same company but locked phone for Orange Uk will not accept Orange France sim card as the phone is locked solely to the UK Network

The OP has not stated clearly whether or not he bought the handset in the UK or France. I assumed he had bought it in the UK, for use in France?