FAQ: Is my handset locked? And unlocked handsets from Carphone Warehouse
July 29th, 2009
If you’re thinking of changing network or thinking of buying a new phone, it’s worth checking to see whether your phone is locked to a network. An unlocked phone could be a great investment – it allows you to take advantage of new deals and tariffs when they come out. This guide aims to answer the common queries about locked handsets and explains how buying an unlocked handset could be cheaper than you think.
photo: in da mood
Why have an unlocked handset?
It’s good not to be locked to a single network – It gives you the freedom to switch network at a later date to take advantage of cheaper SIM-only contracts or new PAYG deals such as ThreePay. When you go abroad, you can also use international SIM cards rather than roam.
Why are phones usually locked?
The mobile networks subsidise mobile phones. This is so they can attract customers to their network – and the margins on calls and texts are huge (texting is more expensive than the Hubble Telescope). They make back this subsidy from your future top-ups.
To stop you from taking advantage of their subsidy and then running away to another network, they lock your phone so you can only use it on their network.
How can I tell if my phone is locked?
There are several tell-tale signs. The mobile phone box packaging has your operators logo on it; your phone itself is branded with the operator logo or perhaps the operators logo appears upon startup.
The only way to know for sure is to insert a SIM card from another operator. Most networks offer free SIM cards – pick one up and see if it works.
How can I unlock my phone?
Unlocking your phone is totally legal but it will invalidate your warranty. Not such a good idea if you’ve got an expensive phone; and you could get your phone permenantly blocked. See the MoneySavingExpert.com guide.
How can I buy a phone unlocked?
photo: markhillary
If you’re buying a new phone, it’s well worth seeing if you can buy it unlocked. You’ll see them advertised as “Unlocked”, “SIM free” or “Handset only”. Generally, this should be significantly more expensive than buying it from a network (you don’t get the subsidy), but there is a well-kept secret: Carphone Warehouse supply unlocked phones (most of the time).
Take my latest phone and brand new toy: the LG Viewty KU990.
If you buy it as “handset only”, it will cost you in the region of £175.
From my preferred network Three, it costs £140.
From the Carphone Warehouse, it costs £100 on the Vodafone network.
There is an effective £75 subsidy from Vodafone on the Viewty. Usually if you buy the phone from Vodafone, it will be locked and you will have to pay roughly this amount for an unlock code. However, if you buy the phone from the Carphone Warehouse, it probably won’t be locked.
It’s important to note that some phones from the Carphone Warehouse are locked. The iPhone is one — and there is a good chance that special edition phones or phones which are only available on one network are locked.
Why don’t Carphone Warehouse lock their phones?
Carphone Warehouse supply their phones on lots of different networks. From a business point of view, it makes more sense for the Carphone Warehouse to stock unlocked phones and supply a SIM card separately with the phone. If they supplied locked phones, they would need to maintain a separate inventory of each phone for every single network. Wasteful.
Sources tell me that 99% of the phones Carphone Warehouse supply are unlocked – so the phone on the network that offers the best subsidy; and then insert the SIM card which offers you the best deal.
Isn’t this a bit risky?
photo: -Marlith-
This is a risky tactic because there is no guarantee that the phone will be unlocked – CPW do not advertise the phone as such, hence they are not obliged to provide you with an unlocked phone.
Follow a few basic guidelines:
- Ask the staff in store whether the phone is supplied as unlocked. If they say the phone is unlocked, they’re probably right.
- Ask to see the phone/box before buying. Look out for operator logos on the box which are a giveaway that the phone is locked.
- Use forums to see whether anybody else has purchased that phone from Carphone Warehouse. See whether it was unlocked for them.
If you want to buy a Viewty on the Vodafone network then you might as well buy that Viewty through the Carphone Warehouse. There is a high probability that it will be unlocked so you have the freedom to change network at a later date. If it’s locked – you’ve not lost anything. It would have been locked anyway if you had bought it direct from Vodafone.
If you’re buying a phone with the intention of changing network, then you’ll have to weigh up the risks that you could be left with a phone on a network which you don’t want. I accept no risk or responsibility.
About the Author: Hi! I'm Ken. I've been using mobiles for over 10 years and technology for a lot longer! I'd love to hear from you.
[...] my guide on how to tell if your phone is locked and how to purchase unlocked mobile [...]
[...] use a UK SIM card within your existing GSM phone, you will need an unlocked mobile phone. If you are staying for less than a month, your best bet would probably be to go with a Pay As You [...]
[...] this overseas (data charges will be huge). You would be much better off ensuring that your phone is unlocked and using a local SIM [...]