sueandterry

Does anybody know how to foil Movistar's attempt to prevent me cancelling my contract ??? I need to unlock my Nokia so I can use my Lebara Simcard.Does anybody have the code ? I resent having to pay 80 euros to unlock the phone. I would rather throw it in the bin, and buy a new "unlocked" phone !!! :curse:

Lushdaddy

Not me. I am on the understanding that any phone on contract will only be opened on request after paying the amount it would've cost to be on contract for the full duration. I.e. if you signed a two year contract for 10euro a month and you have only been with them for 9. You need to pay the remaining minimum payments. (15 x 10 = 150 euros) and probably an early cancelation fee. No way round it as you signed the contract. It's a pain in the ass but I had to do it once.
They aren't stoopid when they gives ya dem cheap offers for phones..
It really depends on have you got your moneys worth of free calls/texts or value from the phone and is it worth carrying on with the contract or paying for the cancelation.
Mobile phones give you earache anyway..

missile

Most phones can be unlocked for a small fee at your nearest back street phone shop.

Depending on which Nokia you have? You might be able to DIY, see here> http://unlock.nokiafree.org/

snikpoh

There are any number of web sites where you pay a small fee, enter the IMEI number of the phone and some basic details and, hey presto, they send you an unlock code. (enter something like "phone unlock nokia" in a web search engine).

Note; it has more to do with the phone than which operator you are using.

I would say though, that if you are under contract then simply unlocking it for another operator does not rid you of your contractual obligations.

twistedmelon

Exactly.
A contract is just that, a contract.

Madridboy

A contract for any fixed length of time is technicly illegal. This is in the UK (or at least it used to be) and it's the same over here. OH went through this lately and when back I'll get details off him about this.

twistedmelon

That was true in the past and you maybe right now BUT only if you return the equipment, as in reality you are only renting the phone.

snikpoh

Really?

Is that a general statement or does it only apply to the telecoms industry?

What about fixed length rental contracts? Are you telling me these are illegal?

Madridboy

ok, got a quick answer about this. It's something to do with they are asking you to stay with their promotion of a phone and not with the company itself. They cannot force you to stay with their company as there are other companies offering the same service....ie. another mobile phone company. This applies to Telefonica, Jazztel, etc as well. You may have to pay a fault to cover the cost of the reduced payment plan or cost of the phone but they cannot force you to stay with their company

spain

any local markets or rastros near you ?? there is usually a stall that will do it, look out for someone selling mobile phone accessories and they will usually have a lap top under the table ...bobs you uncle !!!


I have had a few phones unlocked........even had a movistar unlocked at Romford market once 15 quid I think it cost

twistedmelon

Which is what has been said.
The OP wants to keep contract phone, unlock it, cancel contract and not pay anything.

jdr

If he gets lippy with them they may just block it and all the unlocking in the world won't work, s`pose he could use it as a paper weight though.

snikpoh

I'm not sure that's possible. They can block the SIM but not the phone as they can't download new firmware over the mobile network (to my knowledge).

Even if they do, you can always reload the firmware yourself (but this is far too much work to be worthwhile).

Fredbargate

You can buy a new open phone for less than that

Lushdaddy

I doubt this will happen. If there are direct debits in a contract they (movistar) will still take the money no matter how they unlock it. They'll get their money one way or the other. If it's a good phone just pay the money. 80 euro's isn't too much. We had to pay over a year and a half worth of contract out.