Vodafone NZ locking handsets

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freitasm

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#21563 30-Apr-2008 18:42

I just had a comment in my blog saying that as of today Vodafone NZ is operator locking new mobile handsets.

Any more information on this?

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#127360 30-Apr-2008 18:43

Its easier to lock handsets than to be competitive!!

/troll

scottjpalmer

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#127362 30-Apr-2008 18:45

My bet is that they all will, it is just Vodafone is the only one to have any to lock at the moment!!

marmel

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#127366 30-Apr-2008 18:57

Most phones can be unlocked with a bit of googling and maybe a cable/software download.

ninjabear

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#127368 30-Apr-2008 19:09

That sucks

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#127369 30-Apr-2008 19:10

oh really? hmm that's not good.

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#127370 30-Apr-2008 19:12

all the more reason to buy a parallel imported phone I guess.

It was inevitable, but they are still w___rs for doing it (IMO of course

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#127371 30-Apr-2008 19:14

The only justification for locking a handset as far as I am concerned is if they are heavily discounted. As it is vodafone are about the most expensive place in New Zealand to buy a GSM phone so there would have to be some drastic pricing changes to justify it.

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#127373 30-Apr-2008 19:23

... and Vodafone sinks even lower in my estimation.

I suppose this was relatively inevitable, good thing I'll never be buying a phone from Vodafone again given the price differential between them and parallel imported handsets (which also have better firmwares in most instances).

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freitasm

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#127376 30-Apr-2008 19:29

Hey, I asked for more information - we have no confirmation yet... And the bash fest has begun already!

Paul, any comments?

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#127378 30-Apr-2008 19:59

pretty confident its gonna be put into place.
No better time to do it considering the 3rd player is about to enter, Telecom going GSM end of yearish? Orcon are coming in and TelstraClear is back.
Wonder what they will charge the customer to unlock.
I think i'd be harsh to charge a prepay customer to unlock but their is no reasonable way to distinguish between one bought on-account or prepay anyways.

chiefie

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#127390 30-Apr-2008 20:54

I don't mind if it is locked for subsidised or on-term contract devices. If the term finished, or terminated, the phone should then be unlocked with a fee (or the justified cost of terminating contract). Should the phone be bought no-term or in full price, then it should be unlocked as it poses no harm to Vodafone if the device is unlock when paid with full dollar. When moving to another operator, it is not like their customised contact be accessible (with the vodafone DRM and checking the network they're in).

In fact, if should the phone be used on another network, permanently, then there should be an option for ex-vodafone-device-users to have the customised configuration be removed for free. This should remove the Vodafone DRM or specific stuff.

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#127391 30-Apr-2008 20:57

It will be interesting to see if Telecom follow suit.

For some unfounded reason I dont think NZC will.

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#127393 30-Apr-2008 21:02

I agree mostly with Chiefie. However my opinion is:

If you buy a phone in a contract, at a discount it would be considered reasonable to lock the phone for the duration of the contract. After the contract has expired or has been canceled (with associated termination fee), the handset should be unlocked at no charge.

Remember that you are not leasing or renting the phones, you are buying them. If you buy them at full price - no unlocking should be required because the device should already be unlocked!

I heard this through other channels that some blackberries were already SIM locked, but took it with a grain of salt.

However - lets see what Paul has to say, its early days and I think its premature to judge Vodafone without official confirmation of whats happening...

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#127408 30-Apr-2008 22:10

I've never bought a mobile thru vodafone before and never will cos its so much cheaper buying it thru Nokia hk.I save like $300-$400

Their mobile which they sell even on discount when you join a plan is expensive.Their plans are very expensive

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#127433 30-Apr-2008 23:43

Dumb..

People are going to have the option of unlocked phone at a cheaper price or locked phone at higher price. I agree if it's "included" or discounted as part of a contract then they have every right to lock the handsets but as history has shown this far, most are years-old models that are sold to the customer at a glorious profit.

The sales will plummet at the official stores especially once a customer gets burnt once and the parallel importers will use the "Unlocked Mobiles!" to their marketing glee.

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