k800i unlocking to any network?
- Thread starter kwyjibo
- Start date
whilst spending a lot of time on the net researching this phone last night and whilst phoning 3, i have discovered that 3 are a pain the arse when it comes to unlocking the k800i
some advice to anyone thinking of purchasing the k800i 2nd-hand:
-the k800i has some new software/firmware/hardware meaning it can't be unlocked without a special code that is generated from the IMEI and also depends on the network that the phone is on.
-This code can only be gotten from the network provider with certain stipulations
-3 may ask the contract holder that the phone is linked to to pay up the remainder of their contract if you want this code from them
-this code can take weeks to get hold of from the network provider and will cost ~£20
some people used to circumvent this problem by buying a 3 SIM card and thus, they are essentially a 3 customer requesting an unlock, but i think they've caught onto this. Orange, however, still allow this loophole with their k800i.
Bottom line: dont buy 3 handsets, orange maybe, definitely buy O2 k800i's because they come unlocked automatically...
there is a dodgy alternative but it's so dodgy that it's probably not worth mentioning
some advice to anyone thinking of purchasing the k800i 2nd-hand:
-the k800i has some new software/firmware/hardware meaning it can't be unlocked without a special code that is generated from the IMEI and also depends on the network that the phone is on.
-This code can only be gotten from the network provider with certain stipulations
-3 may ask the contract holder that the phone is linked to to pay up the remainder of their contract if you want this code from them
-this code can take weeks to get hold of from the network provider and will cost ~£20
some people used to circumvent this problem by buying a 3 SIM card and thus, they are essentially a 3 customer requesting an unlock, but i think they've caught onto this. Orange, however, still allow this loophole with their k800i.
Bottom line: dont buy 3 handsets, orange maybe, definitely buy O2 k800i's because they come unlocked automatically...
there is a dodgy alternative but it's so dodgy that it's probably not worth mentioning
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 24 May 2004
- Posts
- 439
With orange, I had varying advice. Instore, I was told they couldnt give me the unlock code until after the contract expires and not 2 months into the new contract. I contacted Orange direct and they didnt have a problem with it. They contacted SE for the 16 digit code. Unlocked. You only have 5 attempts to put in the right code, so make sure the phone you've bought (if 2nd hand) hasnt had all 5 attempts used up. Nice to be able to use the local sim cards when in other countries.
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 10,323
- Location
- Stoke
The K800i cannot be unlocked at the moment as it's not just a case of breaking the firmware.
They require a special smart card and something else that only the networks currently have.
They require a special smart card and something else that only the networks currently have.
