Getting your phone unlocked

[beanagee1]

I have a Motorola Razr phone on the Fido network. I am going to India for a few week next month so I explored the possibility of purchasing a pre-paid SIM card in India. In order to use a SIM card from India I needed an unlocked phone. Fido informed me that the phones are locked and they will charge $200 to unlock it. It did a search on Craigslist and found a number of locals willing to do it for $20. It worked, at least in theory, but the true test will be when I try to use it in India next months.

You should ask them to show you that the phone is unlocked by inserting a SIM card from someone other than your current provider.

[Paolo]

Actually, Fido mis-quoted you, their price is actually $250 plus tax.
Beware of the individuals who advertize to unlock it for something cheap like $40 or $20 bucks, because you dont want what happened to my friend, the guy had to open up the phone, cut away at one of the shields, and connect some wires to some test points, and in doing such, he broke something inside the phone and the phones warranty had become permanently voided. his $400 razr turned into a useless/weightless paper weight.

[bsharwood]

Paolo's story is likely a rarity. I know in Toronto you can go do one of those places around Yonge and Dundas and almost all of them will do it for between $20 and $40. It should be a software thing, so they shouldn't be opening up your phone and clipping wires.

[Paolo]

its actually not as rare as you think... the software thing can flash your phone with software which is not carrier specific, also voiding warranty when you need to take it in for service.

[MontrealPNE]

I bought an unlocked phone from TigerDirect.ca. It's been working fine for 6 months.

[Paolo]

Wait till something goes wrong with it.

[bluntman]

Yes, flashing your phone will void it's warranty with the carrier. However, if you are going to be using your phone in another country, it is a good idea to have it unlocked. My mom had her Sony phone unlocked for use during our recent trip to the Philippines. We popped in a SIM as soon as we got there and everything worked well.

[bsharwood]

I agree with bluntman, it will void your warranty if you unlock your phone, although if you buy unlocked from TigerDirect or such, they'll probably help you out. The amount of money you can save by unlocking your phone and using another sim in another country will drastically outweigh even buying a new phone. At the rates that Rogers (and Bell too) charge it's about 30 minutes of use in Europe and you'll have enough money to buy a new phone.

[bluntman]

The phone I currently use (O2 Xda Neo) and my previous phone (Motorola E1000) are both unlocked, both bought locally. I haven't had any problems with them, just be don't do anything stupid while handling them and you'll be fine.

[bsharwood]

Try getting your phone fixed under warranty from Rogers, even if you are covered. You'll end up spending about as much time and money as you would if you were to have broken your phone voiding your warranty.

[Rexxer]

thats because its impossible to try any common sense conversations with Rogers. I have about a year term left on my cell with Rogers and will be going to Bell immediatly. Rogers have been nothing but headaches. I wish I could save everyone the agony of ever sending a dime to them

[Paolo]

Originally Posted by Rexxer

thats because its impossible to try any common sense conversations with Rogers. I have about a year term left on my cell with Rogers and will be going to Bell immediatly. Rogers have been nothing but headaches. I wish I could save everyone the agony of ever sending a dime to them

sorry to hear about your loss. Not the loss that your leaving rogers, but the fact that your going to Bellus.. With jacked up SAF Fee's and a bad reputation.