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. I now have one try left (you're allowed 5 tries to unlock it before it becomes permanently locked to your local provider). I have called Cingular and they have verified that the code I was given is the code to unlock the phone.

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. 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.

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....

You might want to take this question to Howard Forums 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!

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!

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. 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.

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!

"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.....

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