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Home / What to Read From a Sim Card on a Locked Phone

What to Read From a Sim Card on a Locked Phone

Technical restriction congenital into mobile phones by phone manufacturers for use past service providers to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and/or networks

A SIM lock, simlock, network lock, carrier lock or (master) subsidy lock is a technical restriction congenital into GSM and CDMA[1] mobile phones past mobile phone manufacturers for use by service providers to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and/or networks. This is in contrast to a phone (retrospectively called SIM-free or unlocked) that does not impose whatsoever SIM restrictions.

Generally phones can be locked to have only SIM cards with certain International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs); IMSIs may be restricted by:

  • Mobile country code (MCC; e.thousand., will just work with SIM issued in one country)
  • Mobile network lawmaking (MNC; e.g., AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Bell Mobility etc.)
  • Mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN; i.e., but one SIM can exist used with the phone)

Additionally, some phones, especially Nokia phones, are locked past group IDs (GIDs), restricting them to a single Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) of a certain operator.

Almost mobile phones tin can be unlocked to piece of work with any GSM network provider, but the telephone may still display the original branding and may not back up features of the new carrier. Besides the locking, phones may also have firmware installed on them which is specific to the network provider. For instance, a Vodafone or Telstra branded phone in Australia will display the relevant logo and may only support features provided past that network (eastward.thousand. Vodafone Live!). This firmware is installed by the service provider and is split from the locking mechanism. Most phones can exist unbranded by reflashing a different firmware version, a process recommended for advanced users simply. The reason many network providers SIM lock their phones is that they offer phones at a discount to customers in exchange for a contract to pay for the use of the network for a specified fourth dimension flow, usually between 1 and 3 years. This business model allows the company to recoup the cost of the telephone over the life of the contract. Such discounts are worth up to several hundred Us dollars. If the phones were not locked, users might sign a contract with one company, get the discounted phone, then stop paying the monthly bill (thus breaking the contract) and start using the telephone on another network or even sell the phone for a profit.[ii] SIM locking curbs this by prohibiting change of network (using a new SIM).

SIM locking is very common if subsidized phones are sold with prepaid contracts. It is important to note, however, that the technology associated with the phone must be compatible with the technology existence used past the network carrier. A GSM cell phone volition only work with a GSM carrier and will not work on a CDMA network provider. Likewise, a CDMA cell phone will only piece of work with a CDMA carrier and will non piece of work on a GSM network provider.[three] [four] Note that newer (2013+) loftier end mobile phones are capable of supporting both CDMA and GSM technologies, assuasive customers to use their mobile devices on whatever network. Examples of these mobile devices are the Apple tree iPhone 5c, 6 and newer, Motorola's G4, G5, Ten Pure, Samsung'south Galaxy S6, S7, S8 smart phones, mostly phones based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset or radio.

In some jurisdictions, such as Canada,[five] Chile,[6] Mainland china, State of israel,[seven] and Singapore,[eight] it is illegal for providers to sell SIM locked devices. In other countries, carriers may not be required to unlock devices or may crave the consumer to pay a fee for unlocking.

Unlocking the telephone, however, is about universally legal.[nine] Additionally, information technology is often legal for carriers to force SIM locks for sure amounts of fourth dimension, varying by region.

Unlocking technology [edit]

A handset tin can be unlocked by inbound a code provided past the network operator. Alternative mechanisms include software running on the handset or a computer fastened to the handset, hardware devices that connect to the handset or over-the-air by the carrier. Commonly the unlock process is permanent. The code required to remove all locks from a phone is referred to as the master code, network code key, or multilock code. If the phone is network locked information technology will typically brandish one of the following messages: SIM network PIN blocked, Enter lock PIN.

There can likewise exist multiple levels of locks placed on the phone past networks, which cake the use of other networks' SIM cards. These are usually referred to equally "Network Control Cardinal" (NCK) and "Service Provider Control Key" (SPCK), additionally, a Regional lock exists which is specific to Europe and information technology is called "Region Control Central" (RGCK).

These locks can be removed using the respective unlock codes, which are unique to each phone depending on its IMEI.[x]

Typically, a locked handset will display a message if a restricted SIM is used, requesting the unlock code. On recent phone models running Android software, the telephone will brandish a message saying "SIM network unlock PIN" or "Enter Network Lock Control Key" if network locked. Windows phones will display the bulletin, "This SIM carte du jour can only be used on specific networks. Contact your customer service center for the unlock code". Other handsets may display unlike letters such every bit "Enter special lawmaking" or "Enter unlocking lawmaking," or in some cases the handset will simply display a message stating that it is locked. One time a valid code is entered, the handset volition display "Network unlocked" or "Network unlock successful".

The unlock code is verified by the handset and is generated by the manufacturer, typically by an algorithm such every bit a one way hash or trapdoor office. Sometimes big telecom providers change the original factory unlock codes as an extra layer of security against unlocking services. For various big brands such as Samsung and Motorola there is no algorithm but just a random lawmaking generator where the unlock codes are programmed in the telephone itself and then saved in a big database managed past the manufacturer. For the other brands where the unlock codes are still based on algorithms those are based on the IMEI number and the MCC code and have been reverse-engineered, stolen or leaked. Some handsets tin be unlocked using software that generates an unlock lawmaking from an IMEI number and country and operator details using the algorithm specific to the handset. Other manufacturers have taken a more than cautious approach, and embed a random number in the handset's firmware that is retained by the manufacturer and the network on whose behalf the lock was practical. These handsets can nevertheless be unlocked past online services that have admission to either inside people with the manufacturer or with the telecom networks, or they need to be connected to the computer with a cable where specific software will bypass the security and SIM-unlock the phone. Sometimes this is done by advanced calculations to featherbed the security the official way and other times using exploits or overwriting parts of the firmware where the lock status is kept, and frequently even recover a phone that is bricked or completely damaged in the software sense.

Virtually handsets take security measures congenital into their firmware that protects them from repeated attempts to guess the unlock lawmaking. Later entering more than a sure number of incorrect codes the phone becomes frozen. This is a state where the phone volition display a security message that the phone needs a service. Older phones could no longer be used at all at this point, however modern smartphones often keep working with the original SIM but require actress piece of work to then unlock them correctly. In extreme situations concrete access to internal hardware via in-excursion debugging may be utilised (for example, via JTAG headers on a circuit lath). Such access may be required to alter initialization software used for booting.

A hardlocked phone is one in which a telecom provider has modified the firmware on the phone to make it incommunicable to manually enter the unlock codes in any way. The only solution to SIM-unlock such a phone is to modify the firmware to a firmware which has not been modified past whatever telecom provider, a so-called "unbranded firmware".

Economics [edit]

Handset manufacturers have economic incentives both to strengthen SIM lock security (which placates network providers and enables exclusivity deals) and to weaken it (broadening a handset's appeal to customers who are non interested in the service provider that offers it). Also, making information technology besides difficult to unlock a handset might make it less highly-seasoned to network service providers who have a legal obligation to provide unlock codes for sure handsets or in certain countries.

In some cases, a SIM-locked handset is sold at a substantially lower price than an unlocked ane, because the service provider expects income through its service. SIM locks are employed on cheaper (pay-as-you-get) handsets, while discounts on more expensive handsets require a subscription that provides guaranteed income. Unlocked handsets have a college market value, even more than so if they are debranded. Debranding involves reflashing or replacing the firmware to remove the operator logo or any limitations or customizations that have been imposed on the handset past the operator, and is usually accomplished with software designed for a detail handset model, nevertheless most smart-phones tin be debranded and unlocked solely with use of special software.

The main reason to unlock a handset is to be able to use information technology with a different SIM card. Consumers may wish to continue using their previous provider with a new handset or when traveling abroad they may wish to connect to a foreign network with a prepaid subscription.

Withal, the fundamental principle of GSM and its successors, is open interfaces which encourage competition among multiple vendors. This is the reason a mobile phone is, in fact, a combination of telephone and the subscriber identity module (SIM). Locking the phone to a network is not much different from having the SIM built into the mobile telephone. Network operators in many industrialized countries are not bound past law to give the phone unlocking code to subscribers even after the death of the contract period. Mobile phones with multiple SIM cards are quite mutual in Republic of india. Most phones sold in the Great britain are network locked and single SIM merely SIM-free phones are available.[11]

Box breaking [edit]

A practice known equally box breaking is mutual[12] in the Great britain and other markets. This involves purchasing subsidized handsets (usually pay-every bit-you-go) from retail stores, unlocking the phones, and then selling them (often abroad) for a college price than the subsidised retail toll. The SIM card that came with the handset is then either thrown away, sold or used elsewhere. This practice is legal in the UK and provides a de facto limit to the extent to which networks are willing to subsidize pay-as-you-go handsets. While the act of box breaking is legal, some businesses are also engaging in illegal activities such every bit exporting the box-broken phones to other countries, to sell every bit grey market goods without paying import duties (known as Carousel Fraud) or substituting counterfeit batteries and chargers.[13] [14]

Unlocking services [edit]

Some companies offer an online unlocking service. This service requires that individuals who wish to unlock a handset provide their IMEI number and sometimes also country and operator details to the company, either via email or a web site. The visitor will so provide the unlock code for the handset. For some brands such as Nokia and Samsung diverse services also offer special remote-unlocking software with instructions, where a cable is needed to remove the SIM lock at domicile. Such companies may e-mail the unlocking lawmaking or software which volition remotely unlock the device. Some companies also offer unlocking services that require sending the handset'due south IMEI number. Other companies sell unlocking hardware, including devices which fit between the SIM card and the telephone to spoof the original network identifier during registration and devices to read and edit the handset'south firmware. The pricing for unlocking a device will vary depending on the network it is locked to and the handset model itself, as each unlock code is unique to each private handset.

Unlock code generators [edit]

There are online services that will provide an IMEI unlocking service for DCT4 and DCT3 Nokia mobile phones.[ citation needed ] This method of unlock requires the user to know which carrier the mobile phone is locked to, and also needs to provide an IMEI. Generally, older model Nokia unlock codes are gratis and instantly retrievable by these services. The unlock codes retrieved must be entered into the mobile phone using the keypad.

For DCT4 and DCT3 Nokia, unlock codes consist of a "#" key, followed by "pw+", 10 (DCT3) or 15 (DCT4) digits, "+", and another number ranging from one-vii, and finally ends with a "#". Depending on the carrier which the phone is locked to, only some codes will work with the mobile telephone. About phones respond to the unlock codes ending in +1# or +7#, however some phones are configured to permit only one of the seven codes to piece of work. The following is an example of a DCT4/DCT3 unlock code: 

# pow+931882753035021+7#

DCT4 and DCT3 Nokia volition only permit a maximum of five unlock attempts using the unlock code method. After five incorrect codes have been inputted, the telephone will non permit the user to attempt any more codes (even if information technology is correct) and will require the owner to try other unlock methods.

Laws and practices [edit]

Many countries listed beneath have some class of SIM-locking laws specifying the flow of SIM locking and the cost of obtaining unlocking codes.

Principality of andorra [edit]

In Andorra, the country-owned communications mobile visitor Mobiland does not sell SIM-locked phones. Every bit there is no competition, consumers unremarkably purchase standard mobile phones that are not locked to any specific carrier.

Republic of austria [edit]

In Austria, unlocking is allowed at any time by the owner of the device. A lawsuit was decided in favor of a mobile operator who encouraged the unlocking of phones by providing links to gratuitous/cheap unlocking services.[15]

T-Mobile Austria charges 150 euro to unlock the iPhone for prepaid subscribers and in contract subscribers. For subscribers who have finished their 2-year iPhone contract, T-Mobile Republic of austria charges 50 euro to unlock the iPhone.[sixteen]

Australia [edit]

In Australia, carriers can choose whether to SIM/Network Lock handsets or not and usually tend to simply SIM/Network lock prepaid handsets. There does not appear to be whatever regulation or law on SIM locking in Australia.

Ane police force professor, Dale Clapperton, gave a talk stating that bundling iPhone and mobile telephone service could be violating the Trade Practices Deed.[17] However, no other legal professional or academic has come out in back up of this viewpoint.[18] This also doesn't accost SIM locking per se, simply as applied to subsidised iPhone purchases, and persistence of the lock beyond the contractual period.

Kingdom of belgium [edit]

Until 2007, Kingdom of belgium had laws prohibiting bundling, simply they were challenged every bit violating European Directive 2005/29/EC The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

On April 23, 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled confronting Kingdom of belgium and struck down Kingdom of belgium'due south anti-bundling law.[19] The Belgian government was given until May 2009 to change the law, declining which the European Commission would commence proceedings confronting Belgium.

This leaves Canada, China, Singapore, and Israel as the only countries in the world that preclude SIM locking and contract/phone bundling outright.[20] [5] Chile initiated a ban as of January 1, 2012.

Republic of bosnia and herzegovina [edit]

See also: SIM locking in Croatia

Brazil [edit]

In Brazil, SIM locks are not prohibited. Notwithstanding, the mobile carrier must inform the consumer of the being of a SIM lock. Anatel, Brazil'south telecom regulator, requires the carrier to unlock free of charge the mobile phone if required by the user. Subsequently this regulation almost telecom operators started voluntarily unlocking the devices equally soon every bit information technology was purchased so one could go out the store with an unlocked phone.[21]

Canada [edit]

Nether revisions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Wireless Code of Conduct constructive ane December 2017, all new devices must exist sold unlocked, and carriers must offer to unlock phones purchased prior to this engagement complimentary of charge.[five] Fees may be required if the client was non nether a contract or prepaid plan with the carrier.[22]

After the implementation of this rule, Bell Canada initially refused to offer unlocks for users who were not customers of the carrier (in contrast to Rogers and Telus), only reversed course in February 2018 due to public backfire.[23] [24] In a filing to the CRTC in Baronial 2018, Bell besides stated that information technology had begun to reimplement SIM locks on unsold phones equally an anti-theft and rubber measure (the phones are unlocked during the activation process when sold to a customer), citing increases in theft from store stocks since the implementation of the prohibition.[25]

Under the original version of the Wireless Code implemented 2013, carriers were required to offer unlocks no later than xc calendar days from the kickoff of a contract for subsidized devices, or immediately upon purchase of an unsubsidized device. The Code, still, did non expressly prohibit carriers from charging an unlock fee.[5] [26]

Prior to the introduction of the Wireless Code, New Autonomous Party MP Bruce Hyer first attempted to mandate SIM unlocking at the end of jail cell phone contracts when he introduced a private member's pecker entitled the Cell Phone Freedom Act in 2010. The act would not have banned SIM locking but would accept required wireless carriers to unlock phones at no charge at the end of a cell telephone contract. The nib was introduced in 2 sessions of parliament merely failed to laissez passer either fourth dimension.

China [edit]

Nether a regulation enacted by the Ministry of Manufacture and Data Technology, locking phones to a specific carrier is prohibited if other carriers are as well using the aforementioned type of network technology. Therefore, all phones approved to be sold in Communist china are never locked to begin with regardless of whether the consumer purchased the phone under a contract or not. Withal, since all three Chinese carriers each uses a different network technology after the adoption of 3G, carriers started to ask telephone manufacturers to disable support for network technologies non used past such carrier even if the phone has been originally designed to be capable of supporting those network technologies. Such a move does not result in violation of the ban on phone locking. For example, an iPhone vi was designed to be capable of supporting LTE FDD, LTE TD, CDMA, and WCDMA technologies but China Mobile reached a bargain with Apple to create a special model for China Mobile in addition to the off-contract retail model sold past Apple and third party vendors with the capability to back up LTE FDD, CDMA, WCDMA, which are the technologies non used by China Mobile, disabled, effectively making such special contract model incompatible with the 3G and 4G networks of other carriers fifty-fifty though such phones are never locked.

Republic of colombia [edit]

Starting October 1, 2011, all the mobile telephone services providers, must sell to all users unlocked devices and provide free of accuse support to unlock previously sold devices. This regulation was ordered to enable mobile number portability and to facilitate the reduction on costs ordered simultaneously.[27]

Chile [edit]

Since Republic of chile i January 2012, newly sold phones must be unlocked. Previously bought locked phones had to be unlocked for free. The regulation was put in place in club to implement mobile number portability.[vi] Nonetheless, the police only requires phones to exist usable with all Chilean providers. It does not cover international unlocking for use outside Chile, so users may have to pay for the unlocking service.

A new related issue is present since 23 September 2017, every IMEI have to be registered so the phone works in the country. For local carriers, they do the process, but to use a phone from outside the country, each user has to register it. IMEI Registration.[28]

Croatia [edit]

In Croatia, for devices bought on contract, the mobile operator must provide the unlock code on the user'due south request free of charge. Such request tin be made immediately later on buying the phone, and the operator has a fifteen-day period to fulfill the asking. For devices bought on a prepaid plan, the user has to wait at least 12 months before submitting such request.[29]

Denmark [edit]

The carrier tin can choose to bind contracts upward to half-dozen months from the contract's kickoff. Many of the carriers choose not to lock the phones. Only Hi3G ("three") lock their phones, but can only practice so for 6 months.[xxx] If the telephone needs to be unlocked inside the first six months, the carrier can charge DKK 500 (~ €67)[30] for the unlock. After six months, the carrier is obliged by law to unlock the phone free of charge. But the consumer needs to contact the original supplier, and provide the IMEI and original telephone number for which the telephone was sold.

Ecuador [edit]

Although there is no specific police force preventing SIM locking, as of December 2009 Ecuador's two biggest carriers, Porta and Movistar, unlock phones previously sold past them, without charge.[31]

European union [edit]

Countries in the European Wedlock (EU) each have their ain legislation on SIM locking, only must comply with the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (Directive 2005/29/EC of 2005). Every bit noted in a higher place, this directive has been successfully practical in Belgium to overturn that land'southward previous ban on bundling phones with contracts. However, carriers in many countries in the EU exercise not necessarily associate a phone'due south SIM lock status to the customer's tie-in contract status.

Finland [edit]

In Republic of finland, carriers are not allowed to sell SIM-locked GSM phones, nor are they immune to offering necktie-in sales on GSM equipment. Under Finnish police, a tie-in sale is divers as selling the equipment for a discounted price contingent on the consumer also acquiring a new service contract from the seller. Under the terms of a conditional exception, valid from 2006 until 2009, necktie-in sales were permitted with 3G handsets, and 3G equipment which is purchased nether such tie-in sales may exist SIM-locked. The SIM lock must be removed free of charge at the conclusion of the necktie-in contract, within a maximum duration of 2 years.[32] In 2008, the Finnish government was preparing to extend the exception, and at the same time, was because reducing the duration of necktie-in contracts to one twelvemonth.[33]

France [edit]

In France, SIM locks are non prohibited. Nevertheless, the mobile operator must inform the consumer of the existence of a SIM lock, and the subscriber has the right to request that the lock be removed at any fourth dimension. No later than three months after the subscription of the contract, the mobile operator must "systematically and free of accuse" provide the subscriber with a procedure to deactivate the SIM lock. Proposal to shorten the time that operators may charge a fee for removing the SIM lock prior from half-dozen-month to the iii-calendar month deadline.[34]

Germany [edit]

In Germany, at that place does not announced to be any effective police force regulating SIM locking. For case, the iPhone was initially offered for sale in Germany exclusively through T-Mobile, and it was locked to T-Mobile's network. They began to provide unlocking codes for that telephone after they were sued by Vodafone and a temporary injunction was issued requiring T-Mobile to do so. Vodafone's injunction was later on overturned, and the iPhone is again bachelor exclusively locked to T-Mobile.[35] While T-Mobile Deutschland told the court that they would unlock the iPhone after the contract, they were doing it voluntarily.

While SIM locking is legal, a court ruled in 2012 that providers must clearly inform potential customers about the SIM lock.[36]

As of 2015, usually only prepaid mobile phones are sold with a SIM lock. Phones sold with a contract stipulating monthly payments are not typically locked (as the monthly payments are due no matter what network the telephone is used on). Also, most providers volition unlock the phone on demand. Unremarkably a fee is charged during the commencement ii years afterward purchase; afterwards the unlocking is costless.

Honduras [edit]

In Honduras, there is a full general constabulary applicable to all consumer relations engaged in the national territory and provided past natural or legal persons, public or private. This constabulary is called "Ley de Proteccion al Consumidor"[37] or "Consumer Protection Act of Honduras", canonical by Legislative Decree No.24-2008, and it regulates the activities of any appurtenances and services providers stating the principles that they must follow in order to operate in this land.

Article 20 of this police states the prohibitions that sellers are obliged to abide when selling a good or providing a service to people. Paragraph 7 of this commodity states that it is prohibited to a provider to "place seals, adhesives, duct tapes or analogous mechanisms, which prevent the consumer to make free use of the product, except those mechanisms used by the manufacturer for warranty purposes".

Even though the existence of this law, local carriers continue to apply SIM restrictions to the phones they sell. For case, the iPhone is sold by Claro in Republic of honduras and is SIM-locked,.[38] which suggests that this general consumer protection law does not prohibit SIM locking of cell phones[39]

Hong Kong [edit]

In Hong Kong, carriers are not allowed to SIM-lock a phone for the sole purpose of tying customers to their network. But Hong Kong carriers can SIM-lock a phone to protect the handset subsidy, to enforce mobile plan contracts or to protect from theft.[forty] Afterwards the initial buy subsidy has been recovered, or the full toll of the equipment has been paid up under a rental or installment agreement, the carrier must provide a detailed process for unlocking the equipment free of accuse upon request.

India [edit]

SIM locking is not common in India. Initially, each land in Bharat had a different mobile network operator and roaming across states was prohibitive. Information technology was cheaper to change the SIM card than pay high roaming charges. The number of inter-state travelers demanded unlocked phones. Ordinarily, phones and SIM cards are sold separately. Mobile phone manufacturers sell phones direct to customers rather than through network operators. Dual SIM phones are quite common in use, with users choosing to make calls using a cheaper operator suitable for the item call and fourth dimension of the twenty-four hours from a Dual SIM phone without even switching it off. This along with other factors, encouraged competition amid network operators and brought down the mobile telephone call charges in from the initial ₹32 (United states$0.75) in 1996 to ₹0.50 (Us$0.005 approx.) in 2011. The rates still differ from one service provider to another and across unlike tariff schemes provided by the aforementioned operator. Telecom Regulatory Potency of Republic of india (TRAI) is the contained regulator of the telecommunications business in Bharat,[41] established to check telephone call rates and resolve all communication related issues and holds the upper hand in fixing telephone call rates.

Israel [edit]

According to the Arrangements Law passed on Dec 29, 2010, Israeli carriers are banned from locking handsets sold by them, and are obligated to unlock any handset previously sold at no accuse.[vii]

Italia [edit]

Italy has SIM locking laws requiring that carriers must specify the amount of subsidies, and let subscribers to obtain unlocking codes after 9 months past paying half of the listed subsidies. After 18 months, the SIM lock must be removed.[42]

Nippon [edit]

Japan'south Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has legislated that all smartphones and tablets released later on May 1, 2015, by NTT DoCoMo, au/Okinawa Cellular and SoftBank Mobile (the three major carriers in Japan) must be sold without a SIM lock upon request from customers and without any cost to the client involved. Before that, from 2011 until 2015, but NTT DoCoMo and au/Okinawa Cellular would remove the SIM lock from phones with a SIM unlock part afterwards the phone is kept or used at least six months after purchase.[43]

Macedonia [edit]

Monaco [edit]

In Monaco, the partially state-owned communications mobile company Monaco Telecom does non sell SIM-locked phones. As there is no competition, consumers usually purchase standard mobile phones that are not locked to any specific carrier.

Montenegro [edit]

Netherlands [edit]

Dutch mobile carriers have an understanding[44] with holland' telecom regulator, OPTA, to establish a code of conduct[45] with respect to SIM locking — specifically, unlocking fees can be charged within the first 12 months and SIM lock cannot final longer than 12 months.[46]

In a 2002 letter to the Dutch Secretarial assistant of State of Economic Affairs, OPTA stated that the telecom regulator has decided to start working on the formalization of the voluntary code of conduct into legislation.[47] Nevertheless, a 2006 report written by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs,[48] stated that competition in the Dutch mobile market is sufficient and the formalization of the voluntary code of conduct into legislation is not needed. Thus there are no SIM locking laws in the Netherlands.[49]

New Zealand [edit]

Locking had occurred in New Zealand to a express degree before May 2008[fifty] when Vodafone New Zealand appear they would brainstorm locking handsets. The company had planned to charge $50 to unlock them, only then relented. Information technology is speculated that the intention to lock was prompted by Telecom New Zealand building their new mobile network based on UMTS technology, allowing handsets to modify networks for the first time. Until that point in time, Telecom's network (the only other mobile network at that time) was based on CDMA technology. 2degrees were also building a mobile network based on UMTS at this fourth dimension. After pressure from the Commerce Committee, Vodafone relented on its locking policy, and will unlock whatsoever locked phones for free once they have been owned for 9 months. You can pay to accept it unlocked prior to this.[51] [52]

Post-obit speculation of a new lower toll, MNVO of Telecom XT details were leaked regarding the Skinny Mobile Network, which would SIM lock handsets.

As of 2015, Vodafone, 2Degrees, and Skinny all charged a $30 unlock fee for phones owned for less than 9 months. As of 2020, Spark charges a $30 unlock fee for phones owned for less than ix months, unless the customer is on a Pay Monthly 24 Month Plan. 2Degrees dropped its fees for unlocking phones.[53]

Norway [edit]

Phones sold with a subscription are usually SIM locked to Norwegian carriers. The fee varies depending on how long information technology has been since you purchased your mobile telephone. After 12 months, you can enter the operator lock code yourself without paying for information technology.

Pakistan [edit]

Ufone has started SIM Locking with the release of its new smartphone named Smart U5 adult by Emitac Services, UAE. U5 comes SIM locked to Ufone only. No other SIM tin be used on the U5.

Peru [edit]

According to OSIPTEL Peru's telecom regulator, article 23 of the Terms of use, mobile carriers can sell phones locked for a lower price for 12, 18 or 24-month contracts, merely also must sell unlocked devices for the total price. The same article dictates the client can request the unlock lawmaking for gratis later on 12 months from the purchase date, no matter if the contract is still in place. The sole exception is if the client cancels the contract before its end and pays the remaining price, at which point the client can request the device be unlocked at any time. OSIPTEL plans to reduce the time customers must expect to remove their SIM locks to 6 months.

Portugal [edit]

A 2006 written report sponsored by the Portugal regulator, ANACOM, on handset subsidies and SIM locking concluded that in that location are no special regulatory concerns on offering subsidized SIM-locked equipment in exchange for signing a contract tying a client to a item network. Network providers are immune to apply SIM locks as they run into fit, and they may voluntarily remove them if they choose to do so. In the paper, the author stated that the average unlocking fee charged by Portuguese carriers is ninety-100 euros.[54] A recently approved law[55] requires network operators to unlock a device free of accuse if the respective contract has already expired (Only they decline to practise then charging at to the lowest degree 10 euros). Information technology also establishes limits to the fees that operators may accuse to unlock a device while it is still under contract.

Romania [edit]

Romanian telecom regulator ANCOM signed a code of conduct with several Romanaian carriers providing that as of September 1, 2009 mobile operators selling handsets locked within their own network have to inform clients whether the handset is locked and provide unlocking upon request. Information technology is "cocky-regulation" by the carriers to forbid the regulator from really imposing regulations on them. If the handset is non purchased together with other electronic communications services, the mobile telephony operator that sells it will bear the unlocking costs and will not bind the final unlocking past the purchase of other services or past the payment of other fees.

If the handset is purchased equally part of a promotional bundle or at a preferential price and the customer requires the unlocking before the expiry of the minimum period provided in the contract for communications services ended with the operator, the client will have to pay both the unlocking fee and the penalty for the anticipated unlocking of the handset. The price charged to unlock handsets volition not exceed the costs of this functioning and operators are obliged to run across unlocking requests within fifteen days.[56]

Russian federation [edit]

SIM locking is not common in Russia, but they accept huge potentials to sell unlocked phones. Virtually mobile phones sold in Russian federation doesn't have extensive bundlings, customizations as well every bit the carrier-specific bloatware. Beeline-branded phones are always locked to their network operator.

Serbia [edit]

In telecommunication contracts it is frequent the practice to lock the use of a sim card of 1 operator with a phone acquired through the same mobile operator. Obstructing the unlocking of the phone may be illegal if the consumer is entitled to it.

Singapore [edit]

In 1997, Singapore's so-telecommunications regulator, Telecommunication Say-so of Singapore (at present Infocomm Media Authority of Singapore) enforced a legislation where telcos (Singtel, StarHub, M1, Circles.Life, MyRepublic, TPG Telecom and Zero1) are not allowed to SIM-lock devices, such as phones, tablets and smartwatches that are imported and sold in Singapore.[57] [58] In August 1997, TAS warned at to the lowest degree ane operator, M1, for selling SIM-locked phones.[59]

Spain [edit]

In 1998, the then-Spanish telecom regulator, Tribunal de Defensa de la Competencia (now Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia), saw that Spanish mobile carriers already provided unlocking codes voluntarily for a fee inside the commencement 12 months and for free later on 12 months, and so it decided not to constitute whatsoever legal framework in Spain.[60] CMT has not revisited this decision since then, therefore there are no SIM-locking laws in Spain.

Sweden [edit]

In Sweden, carriers are required to unlock handsets after 12 months since purchase. This applies both to on-contract and pay equally you go phones. All carriers will charge a fee of 300 SEK (approximately $45) or 350 SEK (approximately $50), depending on carrier, to unlock the handset. Yet, equally of 2016, most carriers have stopped locking phones altogether.

Switzerland [edit]

SIM locking may be especially common there. Swisscom began lifting SIM lock since July 2013. Sunrise prepaid mobile phones have a SIM lock for two years from buy.

Thailand [edit]

Thailand is also some other country that forbids outright SIM locking and as a effect, no phones are sold in the market are subsidized past carriers. Up until recently mobile phone manufacturers have their own shop fronts and mobile carriers are simply the service providers.

Turkey [edit]

SIM locking is not common in Turkey, but that can be considered as the 1 of bigger markets for unlocked phones. Leading national network provider, Türkcell besides as their closest rival, Türk Telekom never subsidized mobile phones.

Uk [edit]

In the United Kingdom, mobile phone network providers are non obliged to provide unlocking, fifty-fifty afterwards the terminate of the contract. Ofcom, Britain's telecom regulator, immune 3 Britain to sell a mobile phone with the SIM card permanently superglued to the phone.[61] Most operators offering some class of unlocking service, depending on the land of the contract and the model of phone, just usually for a charge. The full Oftel 2002 SIM-lock position paper specifies that at that place is no SIM-locking law in the UK; the regulator wants merely "consumer sensation". The examples within the position paper are just "examples" of current carrier practices for illustration purposes, only practice not reflect any official Oftel regulation.[62] The main networks oftentimes agree to unlock handsets for a charge, either at the end of a contract or, for prepaid handsets, after several months. Some Blackberry handsets supplied by Vodafone (e.one thousand., Storm)[63] are examples of a Britain carrier not offer unlocking codes. Equally of April 2011 O2 will unlock any of their pay-monthly phones for free, even if they're still in contract, with the exception of handsets fabricated exclusively for them, such every bit their Palm devices.[64] Carphone Warehouse, 1 of the largest Great britain phone retailers, offers unlocked phones with almost PAYG deals.[ citation needed ] As of January 1, 2014, all phones sold by 3 Uk are unlocked. Phones bought before this date volition be unlocked for free.[65]

On 17 December 2019, Ofcom announced that information technology would explore a mandate banning SIM locking.[66]

On 27 October 2020, The U.k.'s mobile networks are to be forbidden from selling phones locked to their services from December 2021.[67]

United States [edit]

One of the 2 American GSM carriers, T-Mobile,[68] will unlock handsets for those with agile business relationship in proficient standing for at least xl days and no unlock code request in the concluding 90 days. The other, AT&T Mobility, is required to do so upon request (with some exceptions and requirements) after xc days of active service under the terms of a grade activeness settlement.[69] Prior to the settlement, AT&T would[70] ordinarily practice and then once one has concluded their contract, and in some other situations. AT&T had in the past stated that it would not unlock iPhones under any circumstances, regardless of the legality of doing so, even after customers are out of contract. Nonetheless, AT&T has since appear that starting April 8, 2012, it will brainstorm unlocking off-contract iPhones, provided that the client's account is in good continuing.[71] AT&T as well has an unannounced policy of unlocking iPhones for United States service members who are deployed overseas—even if they are still under contract.[72]

Earlier carriers began voluntarily providing unlock codes for all telephone models, in 2010 the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) successfully convinced the United States Copyright Role to permit an exemption to the general prohibition on circumvention of copyright protection systems under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 for unlocking of phones through user self-help (sometimes referred to as "hacking").[73] This exemption has become less important now that most carriers are voluntarily providing unlock codes.

According to a ruling constructive October 28, 2012, information technology volition be illegal to unlock phones purchased xc days afterward this date or later without the carrier'south permission.[74] In other words, users can already unlock phones they already ain, and phones purchased earlier January 29, 2013, merely phones purchased later this signal can just be unlocked with the carrier's permission.

In March 2013, the Obama administration and the Federal Communications Commission said consumers should as well be able to switch carriers and keep their actual phones.[75]

On August 1, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act (S. 517; 113th Congress), a bill legalizing unlocking cellphones in the US.[76] [77] The bill passed in the United States Senate on July xv, 2014, and in the The states Business firm of Representatives on July 25, 2014.

Sprint agreed to allow domestic unlocking on all mobile devices launched afterward February 15, 2015.[78]

It is possible to purchase unlocked phones in the U.Due south. Some online retailers sell phones that come unlocked from the manufacturer, that is, they were never locked in the start place.

See also [edit]

  • Regional lockout
  • Android rooting
  • Hardware restrictions
  • International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)
  • Jailbreak (computer scientific discipline)
  • iOS jailbreaking
  • Vendor lock-in

References [edit]

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock