Travel Technology - Unlocking cell phones?

I have a Samsung SGH-p207 GSM cell phone (I actually just got it as a replacement for a different Samsung phone that got washed). I will be going to Hong Kong in the fall for a semester abroad, and I've found a place where I can get a prepaid SIM card that I can use in Hong Kong. My question is, does anyone know if it's possible to unlock the phone I have, or do I have to buy a new phone that's already unlocked? Since I literally just got this phone yesterday, I don't want to buy or rent a new phone, I think that's a little silly. I've found services that you can send the phone to and pay 25 bucks to get it unlocked, but I don't know if they're reputable or not. Any ideas?

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Duplicate

Sorry, this was a duplicate post.

I have a Samsung SGH-p207 GSM cell phone (I actually just got it as a replacement for a different Samsung phone that got washed). I will be going to Hong Kong in the fall for a semester abroad, and I've found a place where I can get a prepaid SIM card that I can use in Hong Kong. My question is, does anyone know if it's possible to unlock the phone I have, or do I have to buy a new phone that's already unlocked? Since I literally just got this phone yesterday, I don't want to buy or rent a new phone, I think that's a little silly. I've found services that you can send the phone to and pay 25 bucks to get it unlocked, but I don't know if they're reputable or not. Any ideas?

You can also try Wirelessadvisor.com

You may be able to find a local store that may be able to do the unlcok on the spot. Remote unlocking often requires a USB data cable, which many people do not have.

Nokia phones are notoriously easy to unlock, and you can do it for 5 dollars or even for free.

Japan and Korea use a different cellular system altogether.

One site I saw that did unlocking was GSMliberty.net. But there are many. I have not yet had my Motorola phones unlocked, as it is a little more difficult. They will do Samsungs remotely for 9.99 at this site without a cable needed, it seems. http://www.gsmliberty.net/shop/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=15&products_id=36 I did not see your phone listed, though. A little google searching should find you a decent place. Or else, look on eBay.

Your phone as 850/1800/1900 MHz frequencies. I take it that it is from Cingular. In Hong Kong they use both 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies. So you should be fine, for the most part.

I hope that was of some help.

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Aileron, Hong Kong has more GSM networks than any city in the world. There are at least six Hong Kong ones, and depending where you are you can also get Macao and Chinese ones as well (I remember being on the boat between Hong Kong and Macao and having ten choices of GSM carrier) on top of that there are 3G networks as well.

I have not yet had my Motorola phones unlocked, as it is a little more difficult.

I had my V525 unlocked before going to Hong Kong. I was lucky because it was one of the early releases of the model before Motorola restricted access. I basically entered the unique number from the phone and the website said they had the code, tried a friend's and his wasn't in the database.

If this weren't possible I would have had to get it enabled via a shop or through Vodaphone. I don't think I'll get a Motorola again if they keep doing this, the only reason I got it was the extra frequencies the phone supported but it also has an annoying bug in the alarm feature that requires the removal of the battery to fix it.

If you have a USB cable most MOTOs can be unlocked remotely by going to sites like, www.bongowireless.com.

Dan

For Nokia:

http://www.unlockme.co.uk/dct4free.html

If you ask your current provider sometimes - you can get unlock instructions.

T-Mobile is fair in that manner - I've unlocked 4 phones w/ them.

I've found services that you can send the phone to and pay 25 bucks to get it unlocked, but I don't know if they're reputable or not. Any ideas?
I've used the service from The Travel Insider (http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/samsungunlocking.htm), with great results. Quick turnaround, works great with other SIMs.

If you ask your current provider sometimes - you can get unlock instructions.

T-Mobile is fair in that manner - I've unlocked 4 phones w/ them.

How did you do this? Did you send the phone to T-Mobile?
I have a Sony-Ericsson T610 and a very bad coverage where I live.

How did you do this? Did you send the phone to T-Mobile?
I have a Sony-Ericsson T610 and a very bad coverage where I live.

Depends on the phone. I have Nokias because they seem to have much better performance in fringe areas than some other brands. My most recent Nokia (6230) I bought unlocked, but the one before that (6600) I bought from a TMobile store. I called them told them I wanted it unlocked, they asked for information on the phone, the IMEA number or whatever it is called, and they said they would send the info to me in less than 48 hours. Sure enough, the next day they emailed me detailed instructions on how to unlock it and the code to enter to do so. It does depend on the phone though. I think virtually all Nokias are unlocked simmply by entering a code.

How did you do this? Did you send the phone to T-Mobile?
I have a Sony-Ericsson T610 and a very bad coverage where I live.

Once you have been a T-mobile customer for 90 days,the company will provide you with an unlock code if you ask. Your account must be in good standing, of course, and it will not release you from your contract, if you are still under contract.

You may also want to have your phone's software updated as well as the roaming partner list, to make sure that you have access to all the towers you should. This should be free, through T-mobile.

Has there been a sudden drop in your coverage, or has it always been poor?