Possible to unlock K600i to use on 3 network (like K608i)?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

iceman - 30 Aug 2005 18:40 GMT

Hi,

A friend has offered me his K600i which is on Orange.

I'd like to get it unlocked so that I can use it with my 3 tariff.

My question is this - can this be done? - would an unlocked K600i work on
the 3 network?

3 offer an SE K608i handset - does anyone know if this is identical to the
K600i?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers

iceman

Reply to this Message

Brian Morrison - 30 Aug 2005 18:55 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> My question is this - can this be done? - would an unlocked K600i work on
> the 3 network?

Yes and yes. Your friend could get Orange to unlock it for 20 quid, they
no longer want the remainder of the contract paid off.

3rd parties can also unlock SE K series phones, ask your local
independents or look about on the web.

> 3 offer an SE K608i handset - does anyone know if this is identical to the
> K600i?

Except for the casing it is effectively identical, as is the V600i on
Vodafone.

Signature

Brian Morrison

please observe reply-to address

Reply to this Message

iceman - 30 Aug 2005 19:18 GMT

Thanks very much for your swift response Brian.

So it really is that simple - get an Orange SE unlocked, put my 3 Sim in,
and it'll work. Excellent.

I thought that unlocking was a bit illegal? You're saying that if my mate
phones Orange, just asks them to unlock it (maybe say he's got another
network sim he wants to use sometimes?) that they'll do that without
question?

Have you seen 600s unlocked and being compatible on 3, or is it just that
phones are getting more cross-network compatible these days?

Cheers again

iceman

>> Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Except for the casing it is effectively identical, as is the V600i on
> Vodafone.

Reply to this Message

Brian Morrison - 30 Aug 2005 19:41 GMT

> Thanks very much for your swift response Brian.
>
> So it really is that simple - get an Orange SE unlocked, put my 3 Sim in,
> and it'll work. Excellent.

It is indeed.

> I thought that unlocking was a bit illegal? You're saying that if my mate
> phones Orange, just asks them to unlock it (maybe say he's got another
> network sim he wants to use sometimes?) that they'll do that without
> question?

Yes, no problem. Remove SP locks (subsidy protection) is perfectly legal
because the phone is the customer's property anyway. The only thing that
is illegal is changing the IMEI to *unblock* a stolen phone that has
been added to the networks' IMEI blacklist, this is punishable by up to
5 years imprisonment.

> Have you seen 600s unlocked and being compatible on 3, or is it just that
> phones are getting more cross-network compatible these days?

They all have to be type approved to meet either the GSM of 3GPP specs,
so they are pretty compatible. There may be odd things that are set up
differently on each network, but in the main they cause little trouble.

Since 3 is not a PCN network like Orange and T-Mobile, there really is
very little that will be a problem.

You might even have an advantage in that the network mode (dual mode/GSM
only) will be controllable from the menus on a non-3 phone, so if you
are in dodgy coverage from 3's UMTS (3G) network you can lock to 2.5G to
prevent calls dropping when leaving 3's own coverage and incoming calls
maybe going to voicemail when you think you're in coverage. Just don't
do this all the time as 3 could have you for breaking Ts & Cs,
apparently O2 really sting them for calls handled by O2's own network.

Signature

Brian Morrison

please observe reply-to address

Reply to this Message

iceman - 30 Aug 2005 19:53 GMT

Thanks very much indeed for your in-depth advice Brian.

Based on this advice, I'll be taking up his offer.

On a further note, what about the debranding services you see advertised -
whereby it appears the software takes off all network-specific
functionality, leaving the handset with plain generic software. Is
debranding illegal, or contrary to T&Cs?

I'd thought that if I DID take the 600 off him, I'd take the orange stuff
off, but if it's got the 2.5G lock facility, maybe I'd leave it.

iceman

>> Thanks very much for your swift response Brian.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> this all the time as 3 could have you for breaking Ts & Cs, apparently O2
> really sting them for calls handled by O2's own network.

Reply to this Message

Brian Morrison - 30 Aug 2005 22:05 GMT

> Thanks very much indeed for your in-depth advice Brian.
>
> Based on this advice, I'll be taking up his offer.

OK, hope it suits.

> On a further note, what about the debranding services you see advertised -
> whereby it appears the software takes off all network-specific
> functionality, leaving the handset with plain generic software. Is
> debranding illegal, or contrary to T&Cs?

It's entirely fair and legal, although you may find it difficult to get
a real SE service centre to do it, they tend to get leant on by the
manufacturers who themselves are leant on by the networks. In the case
of Nokia for instance, they are updating their service software so that
it chooses the files to flash based on the product code in the phone. So
you get what the networks tell Nokia they want, unless you can edit the
product code. If so you probably have the kit to flash them and so there
is little point in going to a Nokia SC anyway. Personally I always say
that branding is fine by me as long as I am asked to heat the irons and
then apply them to the marketroids flesh.

> I'd thought that if I DID take the 600 off him, I'd take the orange stuff
> off, but if it's got the 2.5G lock facility, maybe I'd leave it.

I don't yet know enough about the K600 firmware to be sure, but it may
be that the Orange customisations are fairly light and only affect the
default theme. I suggest you investigate further when you get the phone,
if I get more info then you can get me on my reply-to address.

Signature

Brian Morrison

please observe reply-to address

Reply to this Message