Unlocking a phone from the Orange Network

[empacher48]

To everyone from the UK,
My girlfriend has just arrived back in NZ from her working holiday in the UK, and bought back her Samsung E530 which she used on the Orange Network over there. For some reason your cellphone service providers like to lock their phones to their networks (something really weird, which doesn't happen here in NZ anymore).
After spending hours on the phone to Orange in the UK, we have managed to get two PUC numbers, but don't know how to input them or what we are supposed to do with them... The help desk didn't really help at all :( , and we are getting a tad frustrated. :mad:
Has anyone done this before, and could help us?? :confused:
Thanks in advance.

[ChocksAwayUK]

I'm pretty sure the PUC (PUK?) codes won't help .They're not used to unlock a phone that is 'locked to a network', but to unlock a phone that is just 'locked' - i.e. been messed around with to much, wrong passwords entered etc until it won't allow anyone to use it at all, whatever the network.


Anyway - if it really is only a network lock you're trying to overcome then this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samung-e530-unlock-code-to-all-networks_W0QQitemZ130030780133QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3312QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) guy on eBay will charge you £2.70 and provide you with a code that you can enter to unlock the phone. I think it will be based on your IMEI number which I expect he will tell you how to extract from your phone (possibly dial *#06# this certainly works with all Nokias, Ericssons and LGs I've owned). I've had to use a similar service on eBay for a different phone and it was all very easy and pain free.

Also see http://www.uniquephones.com/unlock.php Maybe a bit more user friendly.

I have tried to find a website for you that calculates your unlock code for free but can't find it at the mo'.
Good luck.

(and of course a disclaimer: I bear no responsibility should you lose £2.70 or damage the phone while trying this method etc!)

[empacher48]

Marvellous!!!

Thank you very much for your help!

[airborne_artist]

The carriers here tend to subsidise the phones to get you to buy, and then charge you your various limbs on call charges!

[rugmuncher]

Try using this method:

http://www.unlocksamsung.co.uk/

It'll only cost you £4.50 by text message and if you want to make a bit of money unlocking Nokia handsets,, use this nifty little program:

http://www.download.com/NokiaFREE-unlock-codes-calculator/3000-2641-10318195.html?part=dl-NokiaFREE&subj=dl&tag=button

:ok: