Travel Technology - Problem unlocking phone

I have a Sony Ericsson s710a and got the subsidy unlock code from Cingular (as requested).

Following the explicit instructions, I tried the code given to me by Cingular-and it doesn't work. :confused: I now have one try left (you're allowed 5 tries to unlock it before it becomes permanently locked to your local provider). :mad: I have called Cingular and they have verified that the code I was given is the code to unlock the phone. :rolleyes:

Has anyone run into this problem? I have called Cingular several times to remedy the unlock code dilemma to no avail-even being referred to Sony Ericsson, who are not allowed to give/verify unlock codes (refer back to cellular provider).

My wife travelled to Italy last month and I got the subsidy unlock code for her phone and unlocked it easily. :eek: Other than borrowing her phone or buying an unlocked phone off ebay-anyone out there have any clever suggestions?

I do have one other recourse offered to me by Cingular-buy a new phone phone from Cingular and request the unlock code (with the documented problems with my s710a as proof). I could then return it within 30days and use my current phone.

I plan to travel next month to Sweden and have a Telestial Passport European SIM card. :D

I wish I could help, but I don't know the answer.

Could you share the explicit instructions you got from Cingular on unlocking your phone? I got an unlock code from Cingular, but they didn't give me any instructions on where to enter the code.

Thanks, and I hope you get the answer you're looking for.

Each phone brand (and maybe even model?) have different instructions to perform the unlock network sequence. Both of my Sony Ericssons have identical instructions to unlock the network-I'm sure this differs wiht Motorola, Samsung, LG, etc....

I wish I could help, but I don't know the answer.

Could you share the explicit instructions you got from Cingular on unlocking your phone? I got an unlock code from Cingular, but they didn't give me any instructions on where to enter the code.

Thanks, and I hope you get the answer you're looking for.

You might want to take this question to Howard Forums (http://www.howardforums.com/) and the SE section.

for all sony phones, I juse a cable and and unlock software, works everytime.

i'd post a link, but it would probably be pulled, PM me if you want it.

Thanks for the link! :cool:

I just joined the forum, did a search which has been helpful (but has not resolved my issue). Hopefully, I'll post soon with some good news! :D

You might want to take this question to Howard Forums (http://www.howardforums.com/) and the SE section.

for all sony phones, I juse a cable and and unlock software, works everytime.

i'd post a link, but it would probably be pulled, PM me if you want it.

Not at all! Unlocking software is perfectly legal. Thank you Library of Congress. ;) Post away.

Usually, SIM unlocking is pretty straightforward. You insert an invalid SIM in the phone, and either it automatically comes up and asks for the unlock code or you have to enter a key sequence to bring up the screen that asks for the unlock code. The unlock code is determined by the phone's IMEI. If I recall, there is a key sequence for Sony Ericsson phones that shows whether the phone is lockded or unlocked.

hmm, I've never really had to unlock a SIM, what is that for?

You don't unlock a SIM, you unlock a SIM-locked phone.

Could be any of a million reasons but one thing to try is get the IMEI number directly from the phone (usually dial *#06# on most phones, but may be Right * Left Left * Left * on your phone). Then verify the IMEI agrees with what may be written under the battery and then verify with Cingular that this agrees with what they have in their database. It is not unheard of for a clerk somewhere to transpose a number in your customer record or have you down in their records as having a different phone than you do. Vendors sometimes may accidentally switch boxes and stuff and only read off the box labels when they enter it in their records. Don't trust a code that Cingular just gives you without verifying directly that they have the correct IMEI.

Or, it could be something completely different.

I have received (yet) another email from Cingular with the same, 8 digit code. :rolleyes: The IMEI number in the email(s) is correct and matches the IMEI on the back of the phone as well as dialing *#06#. The code does *NOT* work. :mad:

I have gathered from a couple of phone forums that the subsidy unlock code is may actually be 16 digits long (not 8 digits long, like the code I have been given).

I am currently on hold with Cingular customer service to see if they can re-verify the code.

I have received (yet) another email from Cingular with the same, 8 digit code. :rolleyes: The IMEI number in the email(s) is correct and matches the IMEI on the back of the phone as well as dialing *#06#. The code does *NOT* work. :mad:

I have gathered from a couple of phone forums that the subsidy unlock code is may actually be 16 digits long (not 8 digits long, like the code I have been given).

I am currently on hold with Cingular customer service to see if they can re-verify the code.

If possible, go to the cingular store and have them do it.

Finally! An answer! :rolleyes:

"We apologize you are having issues trying to unlock your Sony Ericsson s710a imei xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You are correct in that you need a 16 digit unlock code for this phone. We have requested the code from the manufacture and will email that code along with the directions to you as soon as it is available.

We appreciate your patience and again apologize for the error on our part.

Thank you,

NCCS-Subsidy Unlock Group"

Now, I wait..... :cool:

FWIW, I went to the Cingular store (largest one in my area), and they had no idea what I was talking about :td:, and definitely didn't know the answer to my very specific question. :rolleyes:

If possible, go to the cingular store and have them do it.

If possible, go to the cingular store and have them do it.
Don't. When I was reviewing providers, all cingular store personnel gave me the same answer.. "our phones cannot be unlocked"

Total BS, I know.. but I believe their preprogrammed answer is just that

Don't. When I was reviewing providers, all cingular store personnel gave me the same answer.. "our phones cannot be unlocked"

Total BS, I know.. but I believe their preprogrammed answer is just that
But he received the unlock code from cingular. Why would obtaining assistance from store personnel be a problem and not even worth trying?

But he received the unlock code from cingular. Why would obtaining assistance from store personnel be a problem and not even worth trying?
Since all Cingular store personnel I've ever met seem to believe that their phones aren't to be unlocked :)

Since all Cingular store personnel I've ever met seem to believe that their phones aren't to be unlocked :)
Ah, I understand now.

If I purchase a Treo 750 from an authorized Cingular dealer, can I then call up Cingular and have them unlock the device for me? I want to use the device with T-Mobile.

I seriously doubt Cingular would grant your request to unlock your phone for that reason. :rolleyes: Your best bet is to do the software unlock. (or say you're travelling abroad ;) )

My request to unlock my phone was honored because I am doing international travel in the near future (two weeks from now), and wish to use a European SIM card. I am near the end of my current contract. I made the request almost two months ago (see above).

You have to meet certain requirements of your current Cingular contract for the subsidy unlock request to be granted.

If I purchase a Treo 750 from an authorized Cingular dealer, can I then call up Cingular and have them unlock the device for me? I want to use the device with T-Mobile.

I received a 16 digit unlock code from Cingular last week-that didn't work. :eek: :rolleyes: I emailed them again asking for re-verification of the code. Yesterday, I received the new code (the last digit was incorrect), and....IT W-O-R-K-E-D! :D ^^^

Unfortunately, personal circumstances dictated that I had to cancel my trip at the last minute to Sweden. :( I was ticked that I had to do that. :mad: :td:

If you get stuck and you're heading to europe anyway, just bring the phone with you. You'll see all kinds of stores that offer phone unlocking (London has tons if you're going there). You pay them $10-20 and they do the software unlock using a cable. If they can't do it you won't have to pay and you'll know pretty quickly if they did it correctly.

I have a Cingular Motorola Razor. Am I able to do this unlock procedure?