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5:15 pm
Does anyone know if T-Mobile locks their prepaid cell phones? I'm leaning towards the 1661.
6:11 pm
October 14, 2008
Offline
Yes, the T-Mobile 1661 is locked.
7:43 pm
Here's something I found on the T-Mobile website -
If I read it right, after 3 months of owning a T-Mobile phone, I can request an unlock for it. I wonder if it applies to their prepaid phones/service. Anyone out there try this?
SIM Unlock:
T-Mobile branded phones operating on the T-Mobile network may only use T-Mobile SIM cards. To use a T-Mobile branded phone on another wireless carrier's network with a non-T-Mobile SIM card, you must first request a "SIM Unlock" code from T-Mobile. Conversely, if you have a phone from another North American wireless carrier, you may need to request a "SIM Unlock" code from that carrier before being able to use a T-Mobile SIM card on the T-Mobile network.
SIM Unlock Requests:
T-Mobile customers must meet the following eligibility requirements before contacting Customer Service to request your SIM Unlock code.
The following restrictions apply to all account types:
T-Mobile can provide SIM Unlock Codes only for handsets sold by T-Mobile USA, with the exception of Danger Sidekick devices. T-Mobile can obtain SIM Unlock Codes for companies acquired by t-Mobile USA (VoiceStream, Aerial, Omnipoint, SOL, Digiph, PCS One, and Powertel).
SIM Unlock Codes will only be provided after your account has been active for 90 days. Only one unlock code may be provided per customer every 90 days.
No SIM Unlock Codes will be provided within the 14-Day Buyer's Remorse period. Customers who purchase phones in CA California or via Amazon.com are granted a 30-Day Buyer's Remorse Period.
SIM Unlock Codes are not always available from the Manufacturer. However, T-Mobile will make a dedicated effort to obtain the SIM Unlock code. Note: Other restrictions may apply depending on account type.
9:41 pm
I have a T-Mobile phone on their prepaid service (a Nokia 2610) and T-Mobile will not unlock this after 3 months - it appears the subsidy is too great. But it is not a great phone anyway and I really don't want to use it elsewhere.
12:08 pm
Cheapskate said:
I have a T-Mobile phone on their prepaid service (a Nokia 2610) and T-Mobile will not unlock this after 3 months - it appears the subsidy is too great. But it is not a great phone anyway and I really don't want to use it elsewhere.
Go to net10.com and click on buy phones and more. enter the zip code where you will be using the phone. then proceed . There will be a list of phones that will work that area. Regular rates are 10 cents a min. for all calls in the US. and 15 cents amin. for calls to Canada. The phone comes with 300 mins airtime or 60 days of service upon activation. Note these phones only work in the US. these phones are locked to the sim that comes with the phone.
I would buy a reconditioned phone that comes with an additional 300 min airtime card if you are planning to be there for more than 3 months and cut your costs in half.
You can save an additional $8.00 by using promo codes 44477 and 34567
note these codes are per order and must be entered separately.
For just calling this acn't be beat.
I do not know if they will ship to Canada but you can contact them.
Good luck.
ggg
2:08 pm
Cheapskate said:
I have a T-Mobile phone on their prepaid service (a Nokia 2610) and T-Mobile will not unlock this after 3 months - it appears the subsidy is too great. But it is not a great phone anyway and I really don't want to use it elsewhere.
I just "online chatted" T-Mobile again and here's their response
===============
Me: I lived chatted with someone else and was told that after 3 months, if my acct is in good standing, I could request my phone get unlocked. But I've been reading out there on the net, that T-Mobile won't do that for prepaid phones? which is correct?
~Norman L: As long as the phone is not the Nokia 2610P we can request the unlock code providing that the account has been active for 90 days and there has been a refill completed in the past 30 days.
12:59 am
January 18, 2009
Offline
Better late than never. T-Mobile is quite happy to unlock prepaid phones after the normal wait period which I belive has been shortened. I have two phones that were unlocked easily with codes sent to me by T-Mobile. The phones work in Canada roaming. They were unlocked while in Canada on the Rogers system. etc., etc.
2:31 pm
July 29, 2010
Offline
what do you think about AT & T?
12:29 pm
July 25, 2010
Offline
Thanks for all this info. You guys appear to be knowledgeable about SO phones. Can I use my SO Nokia 1600 (expired) with a T-Mobile card? Many thanks. Lou
12:52 pm
October 14, 2008
Offline
If the Nokia 1600 is unlocked, then it will work with a T-Mobile sim card. Chances are the 1600 is unlocked, because it is an older SO phone, and SO started locking their phones fairly recently.
12:12 pm
July 25, 2010
Offline
Thanks for the info. How can I determine whether Nokia 1600 is locked or not? Thanks again.
7:54 pm
August 18, 2010
Offline
I am a T-Mobile Pay As You Go customer. Probably the best deal out there once you get to Gold status. I had $165 on the account, and added just $10 to it when it was about to expire... automatically extended the balance another year. No monthly charge. 49 cent roaming in Canada.
They will provide a "subsidy unlock" code after 3 months of continuous service if you explain you'll be using the phone in another country while on vacation.
They will also provide a T-Mobile SIM Activation kit for $10 retail ($7 web price) if you have an unlocked handset (or a handset locked to TMO), something Canadian carriers refuse to do. http://bit.ly/b99TfO
