3 Months before unlocking?!

[lulucachoo]

I just got a shiny N95 from eBay for my birthday, and I was all excited about getting it unlocked to use with my 3 contract, but I just rang up Orange and the nice lady said that they don't unlock phones before they've been 'paired' to an account for three months!

This means I'm gonna have to carry round two phones, and my old one is looking rather tatty.

Does anyone know of any way to get around this? Or any clever lines I could use to get them to bend the rules? :D

(I know this isn't specifically 3G-related, but it's a N95! It's wasted on Orange PAYG!)

Thanks!

Lu

[pav]

You can get it unlocked else ware, but it will cost more than the £20-00 orange will charge you.

See eastgate unlocking thread for details.

http://www.3g.co.uk/3GForum/showthread.php?t=63519

[lulucachoo]

Thanks pav!

I can't see Orange UK in their list but I've emailed them anyway!

Lu

[9MIL]

Hi

Unless things have changed recently Orange unlock phones from day one. They are not matched to an account they are paired with the SIM they are sold with. I think you may have been given incorrect information. If the three month rule is correct I can not see the benefit for Orange as for three months a consumer may not use the phone and being on PAYG no revenue is generated.

Would try a further call to CS if I was you, or as PAv says get it unlocked elsewhere.

[lulucachoo]

Well, I just called again as 9MIL suggested angd got the same answer.
She did ask how long I'd had the phone though, worth lying? :D

I'd have thought they can probably tel how long it's been registered though.

Oh well! Looks like I'm shelling out £40 for eastgate!

Thanks for your help!

Louis

[seaniboy]

no when you register a orange sim on payg - you give your imei, just tell them you never updated the imei for the 4 month old N95 phone, no-one at Orange told you too ;) as long as payg account ( or anyone you know ) is over 3 months old - boabs yer uncle !