Unlocking N73 for NZ networks?

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Vicx

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#55310 29-Dec-2009 17:34

I imported a nokia N73 from Australia but when I put my sim card in I get a message at startup saying "Sim card not valid", does this mean it's locked for Australia? It was Vodafone branded. How do I get this to work in NZ without paying someone to do it?

sbiddle

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#285869 29-Dec-2009 17:40

I doubt you'll unlock it for free - even if you find somebody who has the software I'm sure they won't do it for nothing.

The easiest way is to do it online on it Vodafone Australia website where they charge you $25

rscole86

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#285871 29-Dec-2009 17:42

As Steve has pointed out.

http://vodafone.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2909

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#285898 29-Dec-2009 19:11

you could try this at your own risk. do let me know if it actually works or not if you do get itchy enough to try it
http://bit.ly/6VpVdE

Vicx

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#285925 29-Dec-2009 20:50

tried it but it doesn't work with BB5 phones which is N73.

I found one that does work but I can't download it, it just says "unexpected end of archive" even though I can see files in the rar. Nothing extracts either. How do I download this?

http://users.net.yu/~dejan/download/bb5.zip

http://users.net.yu/~dejan/

instructions: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/405992

http://nokia.nigelcoldwell.co.uk/bb5/

sbiddle

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#285932 29-Dec-2009 21:34

My advice is to cut your losses and pay the $25.

You'll spend hours surfing the net with absolutely no guarantees that any of those programs will work - most won't. There are applications out there but unless you're 100% sure of knowing what do do you will turn your phone into an expensive brick.

Damager

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#285937 29-Dec-2009 21:47

$25 is a small cost to get your phone unlocked. I also had a phone that i brought over from Australia some years back and that cost me $50 to get unlocked from some guy on TradeMe. This still seems to be the typical cost to unlock via TradeMe.

$25 quick vs as sbiddle said, searching and searching the net for unlocking solutions, most of wont work and with the possibility of bricking your phone in the process.

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Vicx

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#286108 30-Dec-2009 17:25

yea I guess time and peace of mind is worth paying for, but is it really $25 from Vodafone? I don't think Vodafone has charged $25 for anything before.
Just checked vodafone's site it says unlocking is free?! I'll get it done tomorrow.

ajw

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#286116 30-Dec-2009 17:50

Vicx: yea I guess time and peace of mind is worth paying for, but is it really $25 from Vodafone? I don't think Vodafone has charged $25 for anything before.
Just checked vodafone's site it says unlocking is free?! I'll get it done tomorrow.

Check out this Vodafone New Zealand website concerning unlocking phones.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/help/unlocking-your-mobile.jsp

nzbnw

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#286144 30-Dec-2009 18:48

If the phone is from Vodafone Australia you need to contact Vodafone Australia, not Vodafone New Zealand.

Use the link to the VF AU site rscole86 provided in post 2.

nzbnw

GeekGuy

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#286147 30-Dec-2009 19:12

Enter the IMEI at this link to see how much the cost will be in aussie dollars
https://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-service.html;jsessionid=40C83E89EEF43B356F5042F788B9751F?method=selectService

NZtechfreak

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#286149 30-Dec-2009 19:36

Can you not just change the product code and flash it to a generic firmware?

I'm sure someone at Symbian-Freak can sort this for you.

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GeekGuy

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#286150 30-Dec-2009 19:40

That just 'debrands' it ... it will still be locked to the Vodafone network.

Damager

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#286151 30-Dec-2009 19:42

GeekGuy: That just 'debrands' it ... it will still be locked to the Vodafone network.

so regardless of the firmware, the IMEI means it will still be locked to Vodafone Australia?

GeekGuy

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#286152 30-Dec-2009 19:45

yup

sbiddle

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#286166 30-Dec-2009 21:57

ajw:
Vicx: yea I guess time and peace of mind is worth paying for, but is it really $25 from Vodafone? I don't think Vodafone has charged $25 for anything before.
Just checked vodafone's site it says unlocking is free?! I'll get it done tomorrow.

Check out this Vodafone New Zealand website concerning unlocking phones.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/help/unlocking-your-mobile.jsp

That only applies to the handful of handsets that were sold locked in the NZ markerplace.

Pretty much every handset sold through major mobile stores in Australia is sold SIM locked to a network, in part because most phones are heavily subsidised by the operator.

There are plenty of stores that do sell unlocked handsets but unlike here in NZ many people in Australia simply don't understand the concept of having to pay for a phone - they just expect to get one free every 18 months or so when they resign a contract.