Vodafone begins to Simlock handsets once again. *see update, now retracted.
See THIS post for an update
see
*old post
As of the 1st April all Vodafone handsets sold through legitimate sales channels are SIMLOCKED and are indicated with a sticker on the box or similar marking.
There is a $50 flat fee payable by Credit Card for all mobiles, there is no other way to have them unlocked, Reasonably cheap but quite a pain if you do not posess a creditcard.
Call 0800 838 656 (vf unlo)
They do not take into consideration time on the network or actual customer spend which may backfire.
This move prevents you placing in another local network or another network if you are travelling abroad which may complicate things if the provider's service fails you (and seems to happen often). If you are travelling abroad I highly suggest you get your handset unlocked.
Buyer beware!!!!>
Sadly this is a common worldwide trend but it makes all a great new market opportunity for parallel importers whom wish to import unlocked non-provider-centric handsets,
Remember a parallel importers handset may not work sufficiently or reliably on a local network especially if it's customized for a specific network.. Ensure you carefully select a handset and it has core generic software or you are probably heading for trouble.
Other related posts:
Telecom's XT network Videos
Vodafone retacts on handset SIM locks, what was locked and how to get locks removed.
Vodafone At-Home landline GSM-PSTN replacement review.
Comment by Filterer, on 1-MAY-2008 17:18
Sounds like they might be starting to think about NZ communications / Telecom coming into the same handset base, more then worrying about overseas roaming I would imagine
Comment by TinyTim, on 2-MAY-2008 06:25
Just what's the point of locking the phones in the first place if you're quite happy to turn around and unlock them upon receipt of $$? Must simply be a $$-making exercise.
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Comment by sbiddle, on 1-MAY-2008 16:38
$50 to get a phone unlocked is just a joke..
BTW I think you mean 1st May not 1st April! :-)