Unlocked cell phones - need help & clarification
I brought a GSM cell phone with me from the U.S. (my service provider is Tmobile). I replaced my SIM card with a Qtel SIM card but I still can't use the phone because it needs some other code. Thus, I'm guessing the phone is locked? So:
Question 1: Can my cell phone be unlocked? Is this something I can do easily? I'd rather not give up my cell phone and get another one but I don't know what the whole locked/unlocked thing means. I have an idea but I'd like clarification.
Question 2: How does an unlocked phone work? I'm guessing an unlocked phone is not tied in to any provider so there aren't any fees to pay for service provider. Thus, I'm guessing that you only need to purchase the SIM card and add minutes? Or do you need another code for the phone to work?
It's possible that a friend might be able to bring me an unlocked phone so I just want to make sure that it is a simple matter of just switching out SIM cards and *presto* I have service.
Thanks for the help!
Oh yes thats right well in that case VoIP setup on your laptop should be sufficient - just go to any US VoIP provider like Vonage - download their software - and start chatting away (if you don't have a headset then just buy a cheap set...)
When the s*** hits the fan...
Vonage has the USB adapter.
Act your age not your shoe size
Now I need to find out where KFC is....off to the maps I go!
As far as the VoIP, where does one find that?
Anyhow, I'm only here for a limited amount of time so I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that I'll only need for 4 months. If I were to be here a year, then it would be worth it.
I should have probably stated that earlier.
When the s*** hits the fan...
Just talked to my colleagues (we are all IT guys) and they confirmed that you just should go to for the Motorola shop (close to the c ring fly over) and they would do it...
When the s*** hits the fan...
Just go to the row of cellphones behind the KFC on Al-Sadd street - most of them should be able to unblock it for you. It'll cost a couple of riyals...
Drop skype and buy your self a VoIP adapter + a standard wireless phone (you can get this for max 600 rials) - this will give you a US phone number that people from back home can call (both mobile and fixed) to standard US charges + you can call them like you where back in Texas / any where
When the s*** hits the fan...
Sorry dude I have been around a lot of shops and none of them wanted to take the risk, cause I think it's illegal and they didn't want to help me out so that's why I had to do some research and did it myself but....being a lady might help out !
Obviously, I need to shop around. I'll do that this weekend. I've heard of Skype, but haven't used it and probably need to learn how. I'm a bit on the "technically-challenged" side.
I bet you a 100 rials that almost all the small mobile shops all over town offer an unlocking service - for a very small amount!
This means that you just give the guy the phone and 2 minutes later its working like a charm - hazzle free
When the s*** hits the fan...
The cheapest nokia I could find was 155 rials in carrefour.
Really it is not that hard and if you want I could help you out (no garanty though)
Skype:markiesurferboy-qatar
Good luck !
I have no idea if this would work...and I would have no idea how to do it. Your cable probably wouldn't work since it seems that the evil manufacturing companies make different cables for every single phone.
The souks could work. I'll try that.
In the meantime, I'm surfing eBay to see if I can get an unlocked phone for cheap - I have a friend coming over on business and he could bring it to me.
If you go to the souks you will 100% find your cable for next to nothing !Up to you
Is it possible to use your infrared sinc. port, will be alot slower but will work. Maybe u can use my cable, depending on the connector.
I have a Motorola RAZR V3....and I took a look at the website and it looks like I need the USB cable to connect to the computer...which, of course, I left back home, half a world away. Nooooooooooo!!!
here it is..
http://importgsm.com/pages.php?pageid=37&mode=preview
I just had the same problem and solved it myself.....(i feel really proud now) Anyway what phone do you have ? I found several websites that provide software to undo the simlock. Mine is a mda vario (tmobile) and it works like a charm. Just put a prepaid qtel card in and of you go. Have a look at this......if you still need help or a new phone (I bought a new one and then figured out how to unlock.....STUPID!)
Mark