a couple of questions about v3i unlocking please

Hi Guys,

I wonder if anyone could update me on the latest position regarding
unlocking an Orange Motorola V3i phone?

I have a V3i on 12 month contract with Orange which is just about to
finish its minimum term. I'm probably going to cancel the contract
after 12 months, and go back to either an old Virgin OVP sim, or maybe
another networks PAYG. I like to be able to use a foreign Sim too.

Can Orange give me the unlock code, and if so, roughly how much they
will charge? Would it be cheaper to wait until the contract is over
at 12 months?

Are any private companies offering a reliable unlock method for the
v3i yet, that doesn't involve doing something drastic to the phone?

I've tried to do some research but most of the companies sound a bit
dodgy! If it's not much cheaper than having Orange do it then it
would not seem worthwhile using them.

Any advice would be v appreciated


Paul

"Paul G" <paulukt@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:anvmq2121rcsqg27jirnd74umqu8moc9ia@4ax.com...
> Hi Guys,
>
> I wonder if anyone could update me on the latest position regarding
> unlocking an Orange Motorola V3i phone?
>
> I have a V3i on 12 month contract with Orange which is just about to
> finish its minimum term. I'm probably going to cancel the contract
> after 12 months, and go back to either an old Virgin OVP sim, or maybe
> another networks PAYG. I like to be able to use a foreign Sim too.
>
> Can Orange give me the unlock code, and if so, roughly how much they
> will charge? Would it be cheaper to wait until the contract is over
> at 12 months?
>
> Are any private companies offering a reliable unlock method for the
> v3i yet, that doesn't involve doing something drastic to the phone?
>
> I've tried to do some research but most of the companies sound a bit
> dodgy! If it's not much cheaper than having Orange do it then it
> would not seem worthwhile using them.
>
> Any advice would be v appreciated
>
>
> Paul
>
>


are you sure it's locked?
my regular motorola razr from orange was totally unlocked from day 1



--
Gareth.
A french man who wanted a castle threw his cat into a pond.
http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/dsbmusic/

"Paul G" <paulukt@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:anvmq2121rcsqg27jirnd74umqu8moc9ia@4ax.com...
> Hi Guys,
>
> I wonder if anyone could update me on the latest position regarding
> unlocking an Orange Motorola V3i phone?
>
> I have a V3i on 12 month contract with Orange which is just about to
> finish its minimum term. I'm probably going to cancel the contract
> after 12 months, and go back to either an old Virgin OVP sim, or maybe
> another networks PAYG. I like to be able to use a foreign Sim too.
>
> Can Orange give me the unlock code, and if so, roughly how much they
> will charge?

£20 I believe, but it has been a while.

> Would it be cheaper to wait until the contract is over
> at 12 months?

Yes, if you are still in contract I believe that Orange expect you to pay
for any remaining term plus the unlocking cost.

> Are any private companies offering a reliable unlock method for the
> v3i yet, that doesn't involve doing something drastic to the phone?

As far as I'm aware, this is still a testpoint unlock. Although there are a
couple of solutions claiming direct unlock without testpoint, but I've seen
mixed results from testing them.

> I've tried to do some research but most of the companies sound a bit
> dodgy!

Thanks. :-(

In all seriousness, the unlocking market has got its fair share of sharks
and very few of the established and knowledgable unlockers remain as the
market has been swamped with cheaper and cheaper outfits that take much of
the easy to unlock business leaving profits lower and little room for
manouvre when it comes to purchasing new hardware for newer handsets.

> If it's not much cheaper than having Orange do it then it
> would not seem worthwhile using them.
>
> Any advice would be v appreciated

If you're uncomfortable with your phone being dismantled and the shielding
cut (which I definitely would be), then pay Orange for the unlock code.

--
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<<< www.uselessinfo.org.uk >>>
<<< www.thephonelocker.co.uk >>>
<<< www.gsm-solutions.co.uk >>>

paulukt@mailinator.com declared for all the world to hear...
> Can Orange give me the unlock code

Yes.

> and if so, roughly how much they will charge?

£20.

> Would it be cheaper to wait until the contract is over at 12 months?

No.

> I've tried to do some research but most of the companies sound a bit
> dodgy! If it's not much cheaper than having Orange do it then it
> would not seem worthwhile using them.

It requires testpoint I think, which involves a degree of
dismantling/soldering. It's nothing to do with "dodgy companies", the
method is the same for everyone.
--
Regards
Jon

Thank you for some very helpful advice on unlocking my V3i !

I will check if the phone is really locked first, then if it is, I
will ring orange and get them to do it if its only in the £20 ball
park.

thanks again

Paul

paulukt@mailinator.com declared for all the world to hear...
> Thank you for some very helpful advice on unlocking my V3i !
>
> I will check if the phone is really locked first, then if it is, I
> will ring orange and get them to do it if its only in the £20 ball
> park.

Nothing "ball park" about it. It's £20, not £19.99 or £20.01, but
exactly £20!
--
Regards
Jon