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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 11:02:24

Title: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 11:02:24
Hi may be old news to most, but just encase someone is about to part with £9+ to unlock their pay monthly voda handset..........
They now do it for free [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif].

Apparently since sometime in 2008 all new pay monthly handsets are provided unlocked and anyone with one that is can have the unlock code from voda for free - without having to wait until their contract expires.
So i now have an unlocked and debranded n95 8gb woohoo 8-)

And to think people on ebay and other websites are charging upto £25 for this service???????????

Mick
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: benbrunt on 11 January 2009, 11:44:37
Agreed - my payg cost me £15 as I'd not been with them for a year, but it was much easier than using a 3rd party, the guy told me the code over the phone!
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 12:11:08
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Agreed - my payg cost me £15 as I'd not been with them for a year, but it was much easier than using a 3rd party, the guy told me the code over the phone!

Sorry yeah, meant to mention that you have to pay for payg ones  :y

But yeah it is  much faster, mine was instant , they even emailed it to me with destructions.

Then i downloaded some program that let me change my product code (NOT imei - as thats illegal and gets you jail!) and got rid of all the voda bumph and got a MUCH newer software from the  Nokia update site than vodafone would allow???
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: benbrunt on 11 January 2009, 12:50:37
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Danny on 11 January 2009, 13:06:56
I got my 8gb n95 unlocked for free back in march at vodafone :y
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 13:10:02
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Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while
thats the one.......... took AGES to do though as tried all the product codes on the site and phone wouldn't update then i stumbled across the "uk" product code and went from version 20 to version 30 and voila unbranded aswell :)
Someone said you can put proper sat nav in them because they are windows based? but i dont know how to mess that much.. still as you said cracking little phone.

Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 13:10:49
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I got my 8gb n95 unlocked for free back in march at vodafone :y
Yeah i thought i read it was february when they started doing it but wasnt too sure.
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: benbrunt on 11 January 2009, 13:46:14
Operating system is Symbian Series 60, it will run sat nav, I have Garmin mobile, but not windows stuff, completely different os.

Garmin mobile is good enough for me, sometimes takes a moment to get a lock on but has never let me down when I've needed it.
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2009, 18:12:04
Of course, its all irrellevent, seeing as the N95 is most positively the worse phone that Nokia have ever made...

Saying that, Nokia appear to have completely lost their way in last 2 or 3 years, and I would guess aren't looking too healthy seeing as they are offloading their 'non core business' groups...
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tunnie on 11 January 2009, 18:49:16

1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 11 January 2009, 19:07:40
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2009, 19:40:03
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?
Its too big.  Some members here insist on using Firefox - mainly due to their dodgy sexuality - which makes a right mess of trying to display your overlarge avatar :y
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Entwood on 11 January 2009, 19:41:09
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?


site rules are 110 x 110 .. yours is ... 160 x 152 .. and it hangs over the first 3 characters of every line you type ... :)
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2009, 19:43:38
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?


site rules are 110 x 110 .. yours is ... 160 x 152 .. and it hangs over the first 3 characters of every line you type ... :)
Only for FF.  Need to make that clear, so that when people 'test' their avatar under IE7, and it looks fine.....
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2009, 19:46:33
I always thought voda didnt bother to lock their phones......ive a couple here....and none of them are locked.
I put an o2 simm in one of them the other day.....worked fine  :-/ :-/
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 January 2009, 19:50:18
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Quote
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?
Its too big.  Some members here insist on using Firefox - mainly due to their dodgy sexuality - which makes a right mess of trying to display your overlarge avatar :y


Is that a dig at tunnie  ::) ;D ;D
Gadget hands might not help u out in the future  :-/ ;D ;D ::)
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 11 January 2009, 19:56:34
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Quote
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1) Thanks for that tyreburner, i have a number of voda phones which could get unlocked. I am on o2, all o2 phones have come unlocked for years  :)

2) Can you fix your avatar!

Yes is it broken like? i can see it fine?
Its too big.  Some members here insist on using Firefox - mainly due to their dodgy sexuality - which makes a right mess of trying to display your overlarge avatar :y


Is that a dig at tunnie  ::) ;D ;D
Gadget hands might not help u out in the future  :-/ ;D ;D ::)

No chance, if you saw the amount of chocolate that the greedy git bought today ;D
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 12 January 2009, 06:12:12
AAAHHHHH! cant fix it so have removed it for now, will try again later when i get home stupid photobucket!
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: sev on 12 January 2009, 12:12:02
Most networks did lock their phones, unless you bought the contract from someone like CPW or P4U.

But the law states that if the handset is unlocked then the unlock code must be given out on request (even if there is a charge associated with it).

In the case of o2 and AT&T with their iPhone, they won't unlock a phone until the contract has run for at least 12 months.

If you bought an iPhone in italy, hongkong or australia however, they come free of simlocks, as their monopoly laws prevent the forcing of a contract through one supplier - although a manufacturer has got the right to secure an exclusivity deal with a certain network.

My samsung omnia was from vodafone direct, and is fully unlocked.  If I flash the rom with the latest software version it removes all the branding as well, pointless though as the phone has vodafone written on it anyway!
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 12:53:15
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Most networks did lock their phones, unless you bought the contract from someone like CPW or P4U.

But the law states that if the handset is unlocked then the unlock code must be given out on request (even if there is a charge associated with it).

In the case of o2 and AT&T with their iPhone, they won't unlock a phone until the contract has run for at least 12 months.

If you bought an iPhone in italy, hongkong or australia however, they come free of simlocks, as their monopoly laws prevent the forcing of a contract through one supplier - although a manufacturer has got the right to secure an exclusivity deal with a certain network.

My samsung omnia was from vodafone direct, and is fully unlocked.  If I flash the rom with the latest software version it removes all the branding as well, pointless though as the phone has vodafone written on it anyway!
Be aware that the airtime contract for gayPhone is actually with Apple, and not O2.  The bill may say O2 on it, and they use the O2 network, but the contract is oddly via Apple (hence the slightly different sign up procedure)
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: HerefordElite on 12 January 2009, 13:41:49
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Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 13:45:52
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Quote
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: sev on 12 January 2009, 13:48:07
Quote

yes, that's right, but it's really only because the original tender had a clause for the installation of the visual voicemail capability and o2 was the UK company to step up to the mark and put in the highest bid.

But that's neither here nor there, ultimately the thread is about the legality of locking phones, and contractually in the UK, an operator can't hold you to that permanently - that's why some won't release an unlock code until effectively you've paid for the handest.

SO... why do you hate Apple so much?
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Jimbob on 12 January 2009, 13:50:18
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Quote
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Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....


This tool, Not called Sammy is it?  ;D
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: HerefordElite on 12 January 2009, 14:08:03
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Quote
Quote
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....


[size=20]I love Sony there kit is great especialy their TV's[/size]

I love Sony

I love sony
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 17:35:25
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SO... why do you hate Apple so much?
I don't hate Apple...

I wouldn't chose to buy their stuff though, my sexuality lies in another direction ;)
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 17:36:03
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....


This tool, Not called Sammy is it?  ;D
Thats the one :y
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 17:37:34
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....


[size=20]I love Sony there kit is great especialy their TV's[/size]

I love Sony

I love sony
I love newbies

I love newbies

I love newbies

 ;)
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: tyreburner on 12 January 2009, 18:06:09
There probably is only for sony but personally i would just get a different brand of phone ;) :D
If you really want to though try my symbian website and search on there.

Also yes my phone still has a small  vodafone logo on the back but i have all the items nokia intended the phone to have e.g. i now have a cool thing attached to the contacts menu where i can have a ptt call? i have had a quick look and apparently its walkie talkies but without the range problems so from what i have read by using the gprs on my phone?    ( think thats the internet) i can have walkie talkie chats with someone else with the service?? just gotta find someone to  try it out on :D :D
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Jimbob on 12 January 2009, 20:11:10
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Nss suite I believe, have debranded a few N95s with that, good piece of software. My main issue with the N95 is the slow down when you get a few text messages in the inbox - say 500+, but that aside it's a phone I shan't need to change for a while


is there a SE (k850i) version i hate my fodafone crap menus?
I have a special tool that deals with Sony Ericsson stuff....


[size=20]I love Sony there kit is great especialy their TV's[/size]

I love Sony

I love sony
I love newbies

I love newbies

I love newbies

 ;)


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: HerefordElite on 12 January 2009, 21:32:35
i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 21:37:01
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i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Pre 2000 Sony kit was OK - still got some myself ::).  It was the late 90s when it all went Pete Tong
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: HerefordElite on 12 January 2009, 21:39:38
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Quote
i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Pre 2000 Sony kit was OK - still got some myself ::).  It was the late 90s when it all went Pete Tong


ahh haaa

the game is up ::)

can i have my post count back please :-X
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 21:43:07
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Quote
Quote
i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Pre 2000 Sony kit was OK - still got some myself ::).  It was the late 90s when it all went Pete Tong


ahh haaa

the game is up ::)

can i have my post count back please :-X
i'll sleep on it :P
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: HerefordElite on 12 January 2009, 21:49:36
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Quote
Quote
Quote
i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Pre 2000 Sony kit was OK - still got some myself ::).  It was the late 90s when it all went Pete Tong


ahh haaa

the game is up ::)

can i have my post count back please :-X
i'll sleep on it :P


you're the best ::)

ps i don't like linux either ;)

creep creep ;D
Title: Re: locked vodafones
Post by: Martin_1962 on 13 January 2009, 09:24:46
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Quote
i still totaly rate sony kit it's the truth, still got a 14" portable that's 20 years old and going strong.

and my 3 SE phones 750, 800 & 850 all still work :y

get over it Jamie :-*
Pre 2000 Sony kit was OK - still got some myself ::).  It was the late 90s when it all went Pete Tong


Working 26 year old portable VCR

Working 28 year old 14" TV