Need to unlock my Cingular phone and have been following the topic.
Here's my experience:
Went to a Cingular store in Sacramento a few weeks ago and asked about
unlocking. They said they couldn't do it and referred me to a private
cell phone unlocker business in town, which would cost me some money.
Not wishing to pay until I had exhausted all Cingular possibilities, I
did not follow up with that.
Today I went to another Cingular store in a smaller city nearby
Sacramento. They also said they couldn't do it, but said Cingular
Service could do so. The fellow I was talking to said it might take
up to a couple of weeks, so--since my trip to Europe is in about 12
calendar days--I should call today, 9/23. He said I should call from
a phone not my cell phone since I'd need the SIM card info.
I called a few minutes ago from home and after getting to a person
explained what I wanted. This fellow looked up my account, and it was
clear he was checking my payment history. After that checked out OK,
he asked for an email address, and said I would be emailed some
further information (whether the actual unlock code or how to get it
I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
I'll follow up when I get the email to report how that goes.
--
It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary
depends on his not understanding it.
Upton Sinclair
>I called a few minutes ago from home and after getting to a person
>explained what I wanted. This fellow looked up my account, and it was
>clear he was checking my payment history. After that checked out OK,
>he asked for an email address, and said I would be emailed some
>further information (whether the actual unlock code or how to get it
>I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
>cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
I asked why he needed info on my 'account' too, but never was it an
issue, having always paid on time over 6 years. But they took my
phone info (the 2 new V3i's they sent us) and said it will be mailed
n/or emailed to me in a few days. Past history arrived in 2 days.
Cingular does not care once the phone is sent, they will send
the unlock code free on request. Other carriers must do the same.
Maybe after being such a complete pain in the arse to them, and now
they just want to please my needs..and they have...I find that Cingular's
tech support has improved a lot. Not perfect, no c/s is, but once
you get to the right person..things got done. I'm amazed at it all...
JJTj
-------------------------------------------------------------
Don't go away MAD, here's a SASE for you to fill out telling
me how tasty my dust is, and an order blank for re-fills....
...ok....NOW you can go......
-------------------------------------------------------------
The easy way to get this done is to go to a Cingular retail store and
tell them you are planning to travel internationally, you understand
that your phone is compatible around the world and you want to make
sure you can use the device and that you've been told Cingular has
unlock the device to work internationally.
If the sales clerk can't help you talk to the manager. Tell them that
you purchased a GSM phone and selected Cingular because their network
GSM "the world standard" and you were told this wouldn't be a problem.
This seems to work for everyone who tries. Of course you can also just
call them and not go through all this, It's moronic that cell providers
lock their phones anyway and that customers have to resort to something
like this to get their retail outlets to help.
This is yet another example of double-standards by Cingular.
Bob Fry wrote:
> Need to unlock my Cingular phone and have been following the topic.
> Here's my experience:
>
> Went to a Cingular store in Sacramento a few weeks ago and asked about
> unlocking. They said they couldn't do it and referred me to a private
> cell phone unlocker business in town, which would cost me some money.
> Not wishing to pay until I had exhausted all Cingular possibilities, I
> did not follow up with that.
>
> Today I went to another Cingular store in a smaller city nearby
> Sacramento. They also said they couldn't do it, but said Cingular
> Service could do so. The fellow I was talking to said it might take
> up to a couple of weeks, so--since my trip to Europe is in about 12
> calendar days--I should call today, 9/23. He said I should call from
> a phone not my cell phone since I'd need the SIM card info.
>
> I called a few minutes ago from home and after getting to a person
> explained what I wanted. This fellow looked up my account, and it was
> clear he was checking my payment history. After that checked out OK,
> he asked for an email address, and said I would be emailed some
> further information (whether the actual unlock code or how to get it
> I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
> cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
>
> I'll follow up when I get the email to report how that goes.
> --
> It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary
> depends on his not understanding it.
> Upton Sinclair
Jeremy.Deats@gmail.com wrote:
>
> The easy way to get this done is to go to a Cingular retail store and
> tell them you are planning to travel internationally, you understand
> that your phone is compatible around the world and you want to make
> sure you can use the device and that you've been told Cingular has
> unlock the device to work internationally.
>
> If the sales clerk can't help you talk to the manager. Tell them that
> you purchased a GSM phone and selected Cingular because their network
> GSM "the world standard" and you were told this wouldn't be a problem.
Then they'll just sign you up for their international calling plan. A
small additional monthly fee plus the privilege of roaming charges.
> This seems to work for everyone who tries. Of course you can also just
> call them and not go through all this, It's moronic that cell providers
> lock their phones anyway and that customers have to resort to something
> like this to get their retail outlets to help.
>
> This is yet another example of double-standards by Cingular.
>
> Bob Fry wrote:
> > Need to unlock my Cingular phone and have been following the topic.
> > Here's my experience:
> >
> > Went to a Cingular store in Sacramento a few weeks ago and asked about
> > unlocking. They said they couldn't do it and referred me to a private
> > cell phone unlocker business in town, which would cost me some money.
> > Not wishing to pay until I had exhausted all Cingular possibilities, I
> > did not follow up with that.
> >
> > Today I went to another Cingular store in a smaller city nearby
> > Sacramento. They also said they couldn't do it, but said Cingular
> > Service could do so. The fellow I was talking to said it might take
> > up to a couple of weeks, so--since my trip to Europe is in about 12
> > calendar days--I should call today, 9/23. He said I should call from
> > a phone not my cell phone since I'd need the SIM card info.
> >
> > I called a few minutes ago from home and after getting to a person
> > explained what I wanted. This fellow looked up my account, and it was
> > clear he was checking my payment history. After that checked out OK,
> > he asked for an email address, and said I would be emailed some
> > further information (whether the actual unlock code or how to get it
> > I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
> > cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
The first store you visited may have attached a note to your account to
the effect that yo are trying to get your phone unlocked.
That last guy just got you off his back for 5 days. If they can stall
you until you depart, they have just sold another service (brownie
points for the customer rep., no doubt).
--
Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.
-- Walt Kelly, "Pogo"
PH> The first store you visited may have attached a note to your
PH> account to the effect that yo are trying to get your phone
PH> unlocked.
PH> That last guy just got you off his back for 5 days. If they
PH> can stall you until you depart, they have just sold another
PH> service (brownie points for the customer rep., no doubt).
I recommend you get back on your schizophrenia meds.
The first store didn't ask or care about my account. The last guy was
quite helpful and I fully expect the unlock code to arrive via email
this week. I'll post again when it does.
--
Be careful about using the following code -- I've only proven that it
works, I haven't tested it.
Donald Knuth
> Then they'll just sign you up for their international calling plan. A
> small additional monthly fee plus the privilege of roaming charges.
There is no additional monthly fee for the international roaming feature
that is required before they will give you the unlock code.
13. Charge for IntlRoamAllowed $0.00
> > > I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
> > > cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
> The first store you visited may have attached a note to your account to
> the effect that yo are trying to get your phone unlocked.
I didn't need to supply the IMEI for the first phone that I unlocked for
free via Cingular. They did manage to make a mistake in the transcription
from whatever source they used, so I sent them the correct IMEI.
> That last guy just got you off his back for 5 days. If they can stall
> you until you depart, they have just sold another service (brownie
> points for the customer rep., no doubt).
What unwanted service did he manage to sell?
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
I guess they Unlock SIM card, not the phone so you can Roam in Overseas
under your Cingular plan.
"Bob Fry" <bobfry@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:ac4q87br.fsf@mailinator.com...
> Need to unlock my Cingular phone and have been following the topic.
> Here's my experience:
>
> Went to a Cingular store in Sacramento a few weeks ago and asked about
> unlocking. They said they couldn't do it and referred me to a private
> cell phone unlocker business in town, which would cost me some money.
> Not wishing to pay until I had exhausted all Cingular possibilities, I
> did not follow up with that.
>
> Today I went to another Cingular store in a smaller city nearby
> Sacramento. They also said they couldn't do it, but said Cingular
> Service could do so. The fellow I was talking to said it might take
> up to a couple of weeks, so--since my trip to Europe is in about 12
> calendar days--I should call today, 9/23. He said I should call from
> a phone not my cell phone since I'd need the SIM card info.
>
> I called a few minutes ago from home and after getting to a person
> explained what I wanted. This fellow looked up my account, and it was
> clear he was checking my payment history. After that checked out OK,
> he asked for an email address, and said I would be emailed some
> further information (whether the actual unlock code or how to get it
> I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
> cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
>
> I'll follow up when I get the email to report how that goes.
> --
> It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary
> depends on his not understanding it.
> Upton Sinclair
dold@XReXXUnloc.usenet.us.com wrote:
>
> Paul Hovnanian P.E. <paul@hovnanian.com> wrote:
>
> > Then they'll just sign you up for their international calling plan. A
> > small additional monthly fee plus the privilege of roaming charges.
>
> There is no additional monthly fee for the international roaming feature
> that is required before they will give you the unlock code.
> 13. Charge for IntlRoamAllowed $0.00
That doesn't make any sense. If you have international calling as a (no
cost) part of your plan, then you don't need to unlock the phone. If its
not a part of your plan, then you've got to upgrade to one that provides
it.
Roaming costs vary overseas. In Belgium, they were 1.25EU per minute
this summer.
> > > > I'm not sure) within 5 business days. He did not need info from my
> > > > cell phone or SIM card, or had it with my account.
>
> > The first store you visited may have attached a note to your account to
> > the effect that yo are trying to get your phone unlocked.
>
> I didn't need to supply the IMEI for the first phone that I unlocked for
> free via Cingular. They did manage to make a mistake in the transcription
> from whatever source they used, so I sent them the correct IMEI.
>
> > That last guy just got you off his back for 5 days. If they can stall
> > you until you depart, they have just sold another service (brownie
> > points for the customer rep., no doubt).
>
> What unwanted service did he manage to sell?
>
> --
> ---
> Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
--
Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail returned to sender -- insufficient voltage.
Paul Hovnanian P.E. <paul@hovnanian.com> wrote:
> dold@XReXXUnloc.usenet.us.com wrote:
> >
> > Paul Hovnanian P.E. <paul@hovnanian.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Then they'll just sign you up for their international calling plan. A
> > > small additional monthly fee plus the privilege of roaming charges.
> >
> > There is no additional monthly fee for the international roaming feature
> > that is required before they will give you the unlock code.
> > 13. Charge for IntlRoamAllowed $0.00
> That doesn't make any sense. If you have international calling as a (no
> cost) part of your plan, then you don't need to unlock the phone. If its
> not a part of your plan, then you've got to upgrade to one that provides
> it.
Just because they allow you to do it doesn't mean it's free. Without
adding that option, you cannot roam internationally.
> Roaming costs vary overseas. In Belgium, they were 1.25EU per minute
> this summer.
You add the international roaming capability, for which there is no charge,
and then they will send you a subsidy unlock code when you ask for it.
When you travel, your Cingular roaming will work, albeit at high rates, and
you might elect to use some foreign SIM to get different rates.
Depending on how much you call, and whether you want "your" phone number to
work, and how many countries you visit in a short time, you might just stay
with Cingular roaming.
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
<I can't belive I'm sticking up for Cingular, but here goes>
>This is yet another example of double-standards by Cingular.
Why? They have always given me free phones, and my
plan with them does not include overseas, yet for free,
they will GIVE me all the info I need to unlock da phone.
WHERE is the 'double standard'..?
*IF* they would only unlock the phones that USE their O/S
service, that would be another thing, but they will help
you unlock any phone they supply. Or, ur store should if ya
get it from there, and it's a 'store branded' phone only
THEY sell. I avoid all phone stores, so I don't know.
> >You add the international roaming capability, for which there is no charge,
> >and then they will send you a subsidy unlock code when you ask for it.
> I never used the feature and they ALWAYS send me the code free.
The first one that I received, they put the feature on my account without
asking, and sent the code.
The second one that I did, they told me via email to call customer service
to add the International Roaming, and then let them know when that was
accomplished, via email... I did, and I got the code.
I don't think phone unlocking is a popular thing to do, in terms of the
number of customers that contact Cingular.
The view in this group is that everyone wants to unlock, but this group is
a small subset of the Cingular customer base. Those here that do want to
unlock would prefer to fetch something from the web, rather than call
Cingular.
I would send email via the web form I noted above, after first adding the
International Roaming to my account (which does require a phone call, can't
do it via the web). Include your IMEI in the email.
IMEI is displayed on a v551 with *#06#
I believe that they blindly forward the IMEI to Motorola, who checks to see
that it is a Cingular-locked phone, and sends the code back to them.
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
>I don't think phone unlocking is a popular thing to do, in terms of the
>number of customers that contact Cingular.
True, that may explain how C/S handles it..so few ask for it..
>The view in this group is that everyone wants to unlock, but this group is
>a small subset of the Cingular customer base. Those here that do want to
>unlock would prefer to fetch something from the web, rather than call
>Cingular.
Let's be blunt, if ya pay for the service, and they send ya free
phones (2 V3i's to me), you have signed up for enough service to
pay for the free phone(s). Cingular will send ya the code. THEY
don't care. U do NOT have to sign up to a roaming service. I use
my V3i in areas in the USA that Cingular has weak coverage. I then
switch to another carrier. When leaving that area, I reset things,
as Cingular reaches more areas then I used to need to switch to.
>I would send email via the web form I noted above, after first adding the
>International Roaming to my account (which does require a phone call, can't
>do it via the web). Include your IMEI in the email.
Just call 611. If need be (ya don't get it in 5 b/days), call again,
ask for someone in charge. One gave it to me over the phone. Easy.
With all my bitching history @ Cingular, this one area they shine in.
>IMEI is displayed on a v551 with *#06#
Read mine off the box. Can't do squat without it..
AND if it's not a 'cingular phone, ya out'a luck...
>I believe that they blindly forward the IMEI to Motorola, who checks to see
>that it is a Cingular-locked phone, and sends the code back to them.
Might be, but it happens so quickly, maybe they do a request every
'X' # of days. I got my 1st ones in 3. 10 biz days is fair. Plan ahead.
>>>>> "BF" == Bob Fry <bobfry@mailinator.com> writes:
BF> Need to unlock my Cingular phone and have been following the
BF> topic. Here's my experience:
<snip>
BF> I'll follow up when I get the email to report how that goes.
And here's the promised follow-up.
After 5 business days passed I had no email and my departure for
Europe was approaching. So I called Cingular and got an unlock code
along with some complex extra numbers and # and * keys to enter. The
tech did not offer exact instructions for entering all this--I got the
impression he didn't exactly know--and when I quizzed him further he
said to take out the cingular SIM card, enter the numbers, and it
should be unlocked.
I did that and it didn't seem like it worked at all, on the last #
sign I would get a message like "Emergency Use Only". So I tried it
with the Cingular SIM card and got a message like "Not Done".
Doubting that I had the correct instructions, I called again and got a
very different initial sequence of numbers, # and * keys. I tried
that too and got the same "Not Done" message.
Then I searched diligently using google and found some generic unlock
sequences (supposedly not dependent on the IMEI), and tried those.
The new SIM card arrived today via overnight UPS and it does seem to
work, so something in everything I tried did unlock the phone. But
Cingular's support continues to be amiably incompetent.
--
Before software can be reusable it first has to be usable.
Ralph Johnson
Unlocking Cingular phones: another datapoint 
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