Unlocking: Anyone managed to get Orange to unlock the SPV?

[Guest forss]

I've been waiting two days, and have just been told by Orange that it can take up to 10 days to get the unlock code for my SPV.

Due to bad signal in the City of London (So bad that the local Orange shop has its own transmitter installed in the basement), I need to switch over to Vodafone. I'll keep the Orange SIM active so I can get updates and use the backup service.

Just wondered if anyone else had any experience of getting the SPV unlocked by Orange.

Thanks,

Richard.

[Guest srcshelton]

Does the phone require an Orange SIM to be inserted to run the backup/update software? I'd have thought that these OTA updates could be accessed (from the right software) from anywhere on the 'net.

I reckon I'll try to get mine unlocked too - once I've decided whether to keep it. I work in Canary Wharf - and whilst Orange admits that it's had a problem with its transmitter(s) there for over 2 years, they're not bothering to fix it.

Apparently, it costs £20, but they may ask you to pay off the remainder of the contract (although goodness only knows why - it is a *contract*. And with free Orange GPRS, it's still the most convenient SIM).

[Guest Treadsoftly]

I've backed mine up and checked for updates over the 'net using the desktop passthrough settings and my broadband link, so it is possible.

[Guest forss]

Thanks for the information about being able to use the desktop network connection to backup and perform software updates.

Has anyone here actually had Orange unlock it yet? and if so, how long did it take? I've now been waiting three business days since my request went in. Would I be better off going to an Orange Shop, do they have quicker access to the Orange Unlocking team?

[Guest madu]

I need to get this bugger unlocked as well. I don't even have it yet. Just meeting up wih my sis to get it from her. They told her in the shop that Orange won't do that.. BUT I'm sure I want it UNLOCKED and there will be a way out!! Soz, wasn't of much help.

[Guest j_sincla]

Orange entitled to charge £23.25 to unlock the phone as admin fee.

But read the Oftel view on this: Effective 26th November 2002

http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/mobil...002/sim1102.htm

http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/mobil...1_an1_5.htm#an3

Essentially you'll have to pay up for 12 months in advance so that the subsidy is reclaimed. However Orange could argue that these phones are heavily subsidised and therefore more than that is required.

The important thing is that there is no regulatory oversight on this issue - in fact the European Commission and OFTEL see this as an issue of consumer awareness.[/fade]

[Guest forss]

But has anyone actually done it yet? and if so, how much did they charge? was it as expected the one years line rental + unlocking fee, or did they charge more than this.

Am I the only one waiting for this?

[Guest dearsina]

I was quoted £25 in Cutty Sark, Greenwich Orange Shop. + One year of minimum contract, which for the SPV I believe is £25 a month. So you're up to £425 (100 for phone, 300 for 1 year of contract, 25 for unlocking), but I can vividly imagine that there will be a crack online within a couple of months, for crying out loud, its a Micrsoft! :-)

sina