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| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 02/07/2010 at 20:41 #1408 | |
Peter Bennet
5358 posts |
My wife has just been given her late father's mobile phone as her's is kaput. We swapped the sim card over and find we have a 'Network lock'. Having combed the net it does appear that because it is Orange and the Simcard is Virgin and therin lies the problem. Apparently we can have it unlocked at a cost which is probably more than the phone (or a cheap replacement) is worth; or we dial some premum number at some extortionate cost which some sites advise is not a good idea. I have seen references to free sites but as yet I have not found one. Any ideas? If it makes any difference the phone is a Samsung E1120 Thanks Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 02/07/2010 at 20:41 #9872 | |
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Peter Bennet
5358 posts |
My wife has just been given her late father's mobile phone as her's is kaput. We swapped the sim card over and find we have a 'Network lock'. Having combed the net it does appear that because it is Orange and the Simcard is Virgin and therin lies the problem. Apparently we can have it unlocked at a cost which is probably more than the phone (or a cheap replacement) is worth; or we dial some premum number at some extortionate cost which some sites advise is not a good idea. I have seen references to free sites but as yet I have not found one. Any ideas? If it makes any difference the phone is a Samsung E1120 Thanks Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 02/07/2010 at 22:34 #9874 | |
postal
5190 posts 
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Peter Lots of places on the High Street offer phone unlocking services. However, the unlocking normally only involves keying a code into the key-pad rather than anything more complex so it is nice work if you can get it. I put "unlock Samsung E1120" into Google and the first result ( http://www.ehelp.com/questions/10433563/how-to-unlock-samsung-e1120-mobile-phone ) pointed to half a dozen web-sites with the instructions for unlocking the phone. The first one I looked at had all the instructions, code to enter etc. for free. I used the same process for my phone (an old and basic Nokia) and had it unlocked for free in less than 10 minutes including the web-search. The locking is just a device that the networks use to try and keep the uninitiated as captive customers. Once the phone is unlocked, it should pick up the relevant network for the sim card you insert. JG “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 03/07/2010 at 07:29 #9877 | |
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Peter Bennet
5358 posts |
Thanks, looks like more of the same as I've found already and the specific one you refer to does not work. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 03/07/2010 at 08:56 #9878 | |
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postal
5190 posts
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Apologies. Should have realised you would have done the basic research. JG “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 03/07/2010 at 09:52 #9879 | |
GoodbyeMrFish
148 posts |
most market traders will unlock phones for you for about 5 to ten pound depending on where you go, id never ask the network operator to do it, vodaphone wanted 35 quid off me, i took it to snetterton market and had it unlocked for a fiver.
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| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 03/07/2010 at 10:50 #9880 | |
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Sacro
1171 posts |
Nokia phones generally can be unlocked with a code being entered, Samsung ones usually require a custom unlocking cable to do the job.
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| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 05/07/2010 at 08:11 #9911 | |
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GoochyB
222 posts |
If you can't get it unlocked an alternative may be to get a sim from Orange and transfer the mobile number from Virgin, although this depends on network coverage and if there is a specific reason for using Virgin, like cheaper calls to other Virgin mobiles, etc.
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| Mobile phone 'Network Lock' 05/07/2010 at 12:13 #9918 | |
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Peter Bennet
5358 posts |
Thanks, Arguably for all the use that is made of it the marginal cost of any call is not material. Having siad that as Virgin landline customers we can make free calls to the mobiles now. It was more the transfer of the Sim card that we wanted to effect with all the numbers. Anyway it was resolved by the purchase of a new phone for £10 + £10 airtime (which was not preloaded) and this new one takes phots. The orange one my son can have to play the games on. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |