Unlock codes via Virgin £15.32.

[Guest seanspotatobusiness]

In the UK, the Ofcom requires that all mobile communications companies trading in the UK give unlock codes to:

a) people on pay-as-you-go after 12 months; or

B) people who have completed the minimum term of their contract

I bought my phone for ~£100 including the mandatory £10 credit with a £7 monthly contract with zero (0) month minimum term. Thus I immediately qualify for an unlock code. I called Virgin (789 from your Virgin SIM/mobile or 08001839146 from elsewhere (be advised that this is not free to call from most mobile networks but is free to call via Skype!) and asked for my unlock code. She took the last four digits and the CVS of my debit card to charge the £15.32 fee and the unlock code will arrive at the billing card address in 7-10 (working?) days.

I'm planning to use a TalkTalk SIM card (operating on the Vodaphone network) because existing TalkTalk customers can get twice as many minutes and data for £3.75 vs Virgin for £7! Bonus is that I can ring home from my mobile for free! No doubt the price will go up suddenly at the end of the 12 months but I'll set a Google Calendar reminder to prepare me ;)

Edit: the smiley up there was meant to be a b followed by a bracket but a guy in shades works also.

Edited September 10, 2013 by seanspotatobusiness

[Guest targetbsp]

Posts on HUKD suggest that depending upon who you talk to they'll give you the code instant over the phone. People that were told 7-10 days have called back and got it over the phone. I don't think you have to worry too much about ofcom rulings. It seems they just give you the code if you ask for it whatever as long as you;re prepared to pay that fee.

I'm currently on giffgaff but I'll be switching to Three's 3-2-1 deal.

[Guest seanspotatobusiness]

Just checked HUKD and there seem to be a few contradicting reports but in any case that 3-2-1 deal is pretty sweet for a low-use user! Best to do the maths with your average monthly usage and see what works out cheapest.

[Guest targetbsp]

Just ordered my unlock code.  When I asked to use my credit towards it the woman just topped up my credit by an extra £5.32 using my credit card and took the unlock charge from that.

[Guest mrrog]

i've just got the 321 deal, they have also included 150mb of free data for the first 30 days before I start eating into the top up, i'll be interested to see if this comes with every top up

[Guest bladebuddy]

I have paid the £15 + after spending the best part of £20 speaking to them and the are now telling me I will receive my unlock code by post not text ( new to me this ) has anyone else been told this also 7 to 10 working days . Seems a little strange to me. J

[Guest popoyaya]

Was the £10 top-up in the form of a voucher? Mine didn't come with one.

[Guest targetbsp]

I have paid the £15 + after spending the best part of £20 speaking to them and the are now telling me I will receive my unlock code by post not text ( new to me this ) has anyone else been told this also 7 to 10 working days . Seems a little strange to me. J

 

Yes, they post the unlock codes.  What it is, is I think they don't have access to the code at the time you phone up and request. they have to be generated or something.  Apparently if you phone back later they'll then have them on the system to give you over the phone but I'm just waiting for the post. My current phone still works. :)

 

 

Was the £10 top-up in the form of a voucher? Mine didn't come with one.

 

It's added to your sim when you buy the phone.

Edited September 27, 2013 by targetbsp

[Guest bladebuddy]

unlock code came today by post and worked a treat , even had its own apn set upp for giffgaff althhough slightly different form the usual apn settings. That said if any dev  wants the codes and relavent numbers imei and such to see if it is some sort of mathimatical formula just pm me . Glad to hasve my goodfy bags back 

[Guest seanspotatobusiness]

Can it be used against you if someone has your IMEI etc? If not, then I'll provide my numbers too.