[zool8846]

Hello,

I want to buy a new PAYG mobile phone but have found that is only available on one network which has ridiculously high call charges I have found that the phone can be unlocked, but it can only be unlocked for use with the same network which is pointless!

I think we need a new law in the UK which states ALL mobile phones should be sold unlocked so the consumer can choose freely what phone they want and what network they want to go with.

Perhaps someone with the know how could start up a petition or something!

[call100]

I assume the network is subsidising the cost which is why they are locked. If a phone is unlocked, it can be used with any network.......Otherwise, it's not unlocked.
It would be helpful if you gave the model number....

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by zool8846

Hello,

I want to buy a new PAYG mobile phone but have found that is only available on one network which has ridiculously high call charges I have found that the phone can be unlocked, but it can only be unlocked for use with the same network which is pointless!

I think we need a new law in the UK which states ALL mobile phones should be sold unlocked so the consumer can choose freely what phone they want and what network they want to go with.

Perhaps someone with the know how could start up a petition or something!

Phones are locked so the operator can guarantee you will use a phone for a certain contracted period. As they do this they can subsidise the phone and allow you to gte it cheaper than it should be.

If they had to be unlocked then they would not do that.

So you are compaining that you think mobile phones should be more expensive just because the phone you want it not on the right network..I see...

[mtaylor1811]

If you go to Carphone warehouse, most of there PAYG phones are unlocked - normally you have to buy a sim card of your choice (Minimum £10) with the phone. Ive done this a few times, then flogged the £10.00 sim card on ebay!

[far2cool]

Seeing as you get a phone unlocked for a very low price, sometimes free depending on the phone, it's hardly a big deal...

[tealady]

Surely there are other phones of a very similar spec?

[zool8846]

Originally Posted by call100

I assume the network is subsidising the cost which is why they are locked. If a phone is unlocked, it can be used with any network.......Otherwise, it's not unlocked.
It would be helpful if you gave the model number....

I didn't state the model of phone as my comment was aimed at all phones, but the model I want to buy is a Huawei Ascend G300 and its only available from Vodafone.

[zool8846]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Phones are locked so the operator can guarantee you will use a phone for a certain contracted period. As they do this they can subsidise the phone and allow you to gte it cheaper than it should be.

If they had to be unlocked then they would not do that.

So you are compaining that you think mobile phones should be more expensive just because the phone you want it not on the right network..I see...

Yes I would rather pay a bit more for a phone than be tied to a network I dont want to be with. If all mobile phones were available unlocked and could be purchased from any phone or electrical retailer prices will be driven down by the stores competing with each other, like they do with TVs etc. So I dont think the price increase would be huge!

[zool8846]

Originally Posted by far2cool

Seeing as you get a phone unlocked for a very low price, sometimes free depending on the phone, it's hardly a big deal...

If Vodafone unlock the Huawei Ascend G300 it can still only be used with vodafone.

[far2cool]

Originally Posted by zool8846

If Vodafone unlock the Huawei Ascend G300 it can still only be used with vodafone.

well then it hasn't been unlocked...

[Step666]

Originally Posted by zool8846

If all mobile phones were available unlocked and could be purchased from any phone or electrical retailer prices will be driven down by the stores competing with each other, like they do with TVs etc. So I dont think the price increase would be huge!

That simply wouldn't happen.
For a mobile phone's most basic functions to work, it requires a service to go with it, whereas a TV will at least be able to use FreeView without any additional service.

As soon as you get into the market of selling hardware that requires a service attached, you start to move away from what most 'big box' consumer electronics retailers and supermarkets are really interested in because you require more knowledgeable staff, more actual customer service - it's a whole extra layer of hassle they just don't want.


Or, to put it another way, if what you were proposing was at all practical and profitable, do you not think it would already be happening?

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by zool8846

If Vodafone unlock the Huawei Ascend G300 it can still only be used with vodafone.

That makes absolutely no sense.

It's equivalent to the following sentence:

"If I unlock my car, you still can't open the doors".

[!!11oneone]

Ummm... virtually all phones are available unlocked via Play.com or the manufacturers... which phone do you want?

Failing that, most phones can be unlocked. Buy it from one network, unlock and use it with another

[rjb101]

shouldn't be a problem

http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Hel...e/td-p/3812571

[call100]

Originally Posted by zool8846

If Vodafone unlock the Huawei Ascend G300 it can still only be used with vodafone.

Whoever told you that is clueless....Why on earth would you even believe something like that?
Experience says that if you go into a Vodafone shop and show an interest um and ah a bit and ask for them to unlock it, they may well do, there and then.
If they do, you will most certainly be able to use it on any network....

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by zool8846

Yes I would rather pay a bit more for a phone than be tied to a network I dont want to be with. If all mobile phones were available unlocked and could be purchased from any phone or electrical retailer prices will be driven down by the stores competing with each other, like they do with TVs etc. So I dont think the price increase would be huge!

They would not come down as much as they are now as they are heavily subsidised...and most phones you can but unlocked anyway...even the one you are talking about can be had easily unlocked.

[far2cool]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

That makes absolutely no sense.

It's equivalent to the following sentence:

"If I unlock my car, you still can't open the doors".

thank you. you put it better than I could have

[call100]

Should the OP still be willing to pay a little extra for an unlocked version See here....

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by zool8846

If Vodafone unlock the Huawei Ascend G300 it can still only be used with vodafone.

Do you understand what the term unlocked means ?

It means that it can be used on any network.

However unlocking a phone may not necessarily mean that its debranded, i.e. still has provider specific logos and software.

[zool8846]

Originally Posted by far2cool

well then it hasn't been unlocked...

Sorry folks, from a SECOND email from Vodafone they say it can be unlocked for £19.99 which isn't what they said in their FIRST email below:



Hello #######,

Thank you for contacting Vodafone Customer Services with regards to your Huawei handset query.

Vodafone provides its customers with unlocked handsets. However, it is unlocked only to Vodafone Network but not all the networks.

If you want to know the exciting offers of Vodafone with Huawei you can visit the below mentioned link:

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/brands/huawei/index.htm

Trust the above information addresses your query.

Kind regards,

######## ######
Vodafone Customer Services



If they only charge £19.99 to unlock a phone, then surely it would be easier to just sell the phone unlocked for £20 more to start with!!!

[zool8846]

Originally Posted by Step666

That simply wouldn't happen.
For a mobile phone's most basic functions to work, it requires a service to go with it, whereas a TV will at least be able to use FreeView without any additional service.

As soon as you get into the market of selling hardware that requires a service attached, you start to move away from what most 'big box' consumer electronics retailers and supermarkets are really interested in because you require more knowledgeable staff, more actual customer service - it's a whole extra layer of hassle they just don't want.


Or, to put it another way, if what you were proposing was at all practical and profitable, do you not think it would already be happening?

Services can still be available, its just that you will choose which service you want to go with after you have purchased the phone, if you want to go with Vodafone you just purchase a Vodafone SIM.....and so on.....hardware and sevices do not need to be tied at the time of purchase!

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by zool8846

Sorry folks, from a SECOND email from Vodafone they say it can be unlocked for £19.99 which isn't what they said in their FIRST email below:



Hello #######,

Thank you for contacting Vodafone Customer Services with regards to your Huawei handset query.

Vodafone provides its customers with unlocked handsets. However, it is unlocked only to Vodafone Network but not all the networks.

If you want to know the exciting offers of Vodafone with Huawei you can visit the below mentioned link:

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/brands/huawei/index.htm

Trust the above information addresses your query.

Kind regards,

######## ######
Vodafone Customer Services

If they only charge £19.99 to unlock a phone, then surely it would be easier to just sell the phone unlocked for £20 more to start with!!!

I am guessing they are saying that you are free to use any vodafone package/payg/whatever with the phone they supply. The second e-mail is saying for £19.99 you can use the phone on any network.

[far2cool]

Originally Posted by zool8846

Sorry folks, from a SECOND email from Vodafone they say it can be unlocked for £19.99 which isn't what they said in their FIRST email below:



Hello #######,

Thank you for contacting Vodafone Customer Services with regards to your Huawei handset query.

Vodafone provides its customers with unlocked handsets. However, it is unlocked only to Vodafone Network but not all the networks.

If you want to know the exciting offers of Vodafone with Huawei you can visit the below mentioned link:

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/brands/huawei/index.htm

Trust the above information addresses your query.

Kind regards,

######## ######
Vodafone Customer Services



If they only charge £19.99 to unlock a phone, then surely it would be easier to just sell the phone unlocked for £20 more to start with!!!

I'm sure you can get it unlocked without going through vodafone...

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by zool8846

Sorry folks, from a SECOND email from Vodafone they say it can be unlocked for £19.99 which isn't what they said in their FIRST email below:



Hello #######,

Thank you for contacting Vodafone Customer Services with regards to your Huawei handset query.

Vodafone provides its customers with unlocked handsets. However, it is unlocked only to Vodafone Network but not all the networks.

If you want to know the exciting offers of Vodafone with Huawei you can visit the below mentioned link:

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/brands/huawei/index.htm

Trust the above information addresses your query.

Kind regards,

######## ######
Vodafone Customer Services



If they only charge £19.99 to unlock a phone, then surely it would be easier to just sell the phone unlocked for £20 more to start with!!!

But they don't want to sell you an unlocked phone

[call100]

Seems we have arrived in some strange parallel universe.....Most market stalls will unlock it for a tenner. Checked with two around here yesterday and they both said they could do it easily. I fail to see the OP's problem in obtaining an unlocked phone of his desire.....