Locked Phones

[wup]

If phone i am buying that is locked to rogers, and rogers is my current wireless carrier, do i just have to call rogers to switch to the new phone since it is already locked to them?

[Menace]

No, you just plug in the SIM.

[wup]

Thanks

[PlayerOne]

I have another questiona about locked phones and SIM cards

if ihave a locked phone and want to use another service provider, i'd have to unlock it first right?

so let's say i have an unlocked phone, how do i get service on it, i see people selling SIM cards all the time, so do i just buy a SIM card and go to a service provider and say "i have a sim card, just give me a plan and a number"

could someone clarify?

Thanks

[Mr Nobody]

I believe the carrier would provide you with the SIM. Just tell them you have the phone already.

[z3r0]

Another question about locked phones:

If a phone is locked to Rogers, for example, can I purchase it for $50 on a 2 year contract do I have to sign anything inorder to purchase it? Can I just buy it and unlock it once I get home?

Thank you!

[z3r0]

:arrowu:

[dmatthew]

you can purchase it and then unlock it

although I don't know why you would buy from Rogers (or any other carrier for that matter) because the prices on their phones are inflated when compared to some cell phone shops.

go to pacific mall and scour for cell phones there, if you pay cash they usually don't charge tax

[z3r0]

you can purchase it and then unlock it

although I don't know why you would buy from Rogers (or any other carrier for that matter) because the prices on their phones are inflated when compared to some cell phone shops.

go to pacific mall and scour for cell phones there, if you pay cash they usually don't charge tax

Thanks for the reply.

I meant a phone LOCKED to Rogers, not directly from Rogers.

So, if I go to Pacific Mall and buy a phone locked to a carrier, I can bring it home and unlock it?

Thank you

[subliminal]

So, if I go to Pacific Mall and buy a phone locked to a carrier, I can bring it home and unlock it?


Chances are if you buy a phone from Pacific Mall, the phones aren't locked to any carrier and are factory unlocked as they are straight from the factory.

[Aske001]

You can get almost any locked phone unlocked for about $20 in major centres like Toronto and Vancouver.

But keep in mind a couple of things:

1. The cell phone companies like Telus and Rogers really don't want you unlocking their phones. It's not illegal in Canada, but they do everything possible to discourage it, including harrassing stores that provide unlocking service, working with phone manufacturers to make it as difficult as possible, and refusing to support customers using unlocked phones.

2. There are no guarantees if you get someone other than the original provider to unlock your phone. You pay your money up front, and if the attempted unlocking accidentally destroys your phone, you're out of luck. Manufacturers deliberately make changes to the unlocking codes and techniques every few months, and sometimes include traps to disable the phone permanently if an out-of-date code is used.

3. If someone tells you that they have unlocked your phone, you have no easy way to test it in Canada, since there is only one company providing compatible service of each type.

[z3r0]

How much is an unlocked Razr at P. Mall?

[PlayerOne]

I believe the carrier would provide you with the SIM. Just tell them you have the phone already.

why do some people sell sim cards then?

is there a point in buying a sim card? (do you save money else where?)

[Paolo]

why do some people sell sim cards then?

is there a point in buying a sim card? (do you save money else where?)

SIM cards are generally provided FREE if you purchase a phone from the carrier, since the SIM card is contained INSIDE The phone packaging. Also depending on how the In Store Activation is set up, the Activation credit may go towards the cost of the SIM card in some cases. It ALL depends on the carrier, price plan, etc... Also SIM cards dont last forever, they get damaged, lost/stolen, blocked, etc. thats why they sell them seperately too.

[PlayerOne]

SIM cards are generally provided FREE if you purchase a phone from the carrier, since the SIM card is contained INSIDE The phone packaging. Also depending on how the In Store Activation is set up, the Activation credit may go towards the cost of the SIM card in some cases. It ALL depends on the carrier, price plan, etc... Also SIM cards dont last forever, they get damaged, lost/stolen, blocked, etc. thats why they sell them seperately too.


ok, so i have a phone right now, i think it's locked to rogers, but i can get it unlocked for free

how can i save some money, suggestions? will having a sim card before going to a service provider save me some money?

[Paolo]

ok, so i have a phone right now, i think it's locked to rogers, but i can get it unlocked for free

how can i save some money, suggestions? will having a sim card before going to a service provider save me some money?

I believe the only thing you really save on, is instead of purchasing a phone, you already have one, so what ever that phone is suppost to cost you, you ended up saving that money. Most people generally buy phones to avoid going onto a contract, but thats not always the case with certain price plans, they can require a commitment too. Yorr best bet is to ask the in-store rep.

[Mr Nobody]

3. If someone tells you that they have unlocked your phone, you have no easy way to test it in Canada, since there is only one company providing compatible service of each type.

Just put in a Fido SIM into your Rogers phone to check it. That's how I checked mine when I unlocked it.

[bubble.tea]

this is a peculiar thread. OP you've got some intriguing questions. hehe. Paolo...quite the level of patience, and indulgent character-well done.