mobile phone unlocking

[BearPear]

Hi guys - I am investigating new phones for the littlest BP's birthday, she is 17 this month. We have looked at the HTC Wildfire and the cheapest handset is on 3 but the best tariff is on Tesco. So the solution is to get the handset unlocked. I have got other handsets unlocked, but never a smart phone.

I have looked around online and see varying experiences, so I turn to the CCers for some advice I can count on! Do any of you lovely people have any experience of unlocking these phones? (I understand that some come pre-loaded with a start-up programme tailored to the provider, in this case 3, would that be removed when unlocked, or would she be stuck with the same load features?)

 

[Crackle]

I unlocked a Wildfire from 3 using these folks http://www.foneszone.co.uk/ Cost about £20

3 don't overbrand their stuff like Orange

 

[Black knight]

Consider Giffgaff for network access.

Far better then any of the other providers imo.

Runs on O2, same as Tesco.

http://giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/rick101

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Hi guys - I am investigating new phones for the littlest BP's birthday, she is 17 this month. We have looked at the HTC Wildfire and the cheapest handset is on 3 but the best tariff is on Tesco. So the solution is to get the handset unlocked. I have got other handsets unlocked, but never a smart phone.

I got my HTC Desire z from Phones 4 u, it didn't come locked. In fact is was very much a case of this phone, then this network... might be worth a shot. Be prepared for the hard sell on the phone insurance though. Ugh.

I avoided Orange like the plague after hearing you got their own 'version' of the operating system or something. My phone is blissfully free from such idiocy...

Will you be on pay as you go?

 

[Black knight]

On Android it is quite easy to remove the 'Orangness' and install a custom operating system.

 

[thomas]

not quite what you asked, but my wildfire was £160 from t-mobile (amazon) and I was already on a contract with them.

If you buy phones from carphone warehouse they come unlocked as standard....also, would the 3 thing be PAYE or a contract? If contract then they're normally unlocked as you pay for the phone in the contrat.

 

[BearPear]

Thanks guys. The phone is on 3 as payg. I have got the PAC code from Vodafone & ordered a new Sim from Tesco. Just need to get the phone & unlock it tomorrow! Oh and there's also the small point of an "early termination fee" to Vodafone which will be about 6 weeks = £30

 

[DaveyB1981]

Tesco sure do have some good tariffs! The wife is on tesco and I confess to some tariff envy, so am considering getting my Wildfire unlocked. Let us know how you get on.

Dave

 

[BearPear]

Phone unlocked no problems, £15 job done!

 

[DaveyB1981]

Phone unlocked no problems, £15 job done!

Excellent

I think Im gonna go for it too. Which company did you use?

Dave

 

[BearPear]

Hiya - sorry for delay in reply. I just took it to a bloke in the market! He has been going a long time, growing from a little stall to a larger one with staff and display cabinets and stuff! I have always used him and never had a problem.

You can get unlock codes on-line but I wouldn't know where to start.

 

[Dan B]

Not useful to you now but maybe to other people reading the thread: carphone warehouse have recently introduced a "network price match" where they'll match the price of any of the big networks (same phone same tariff) if their own advertised price is higher. And their phones are more likely to be unlocked.