Getting a phone unlocked

[MrsSprat]

I'm abroad and stupid stupid Orange have given me a locked phone, which won't work with a local PAYG SIM card, never had this problem with other service providers.

My phone is under 12 months old, are there likely to be any problems if I get my phone unlocked?

[NotQuiteCockney]

No, nothing will go wrong from getting it unlocked, imo - I've had a few unlocked. Can you find someone to unlock it, where you are? I know it's really hard to find shops that do this in Canada.

[MrsSprat]

Hello - thanks for help here and on the bad back one! Having trouble, found a place yesterday, but they wanted to send it away and charge $40. Doesn't seem worth the hassle, although annoyed I bought the pre-pay package before I knew any of this!

[NotQuiteCockney]

What sort of phone is it? You can often get them unlocked online, and cheaper than that. Where are you?

(No problem re: help, was just trying to reduce the # of unanswered threads.)

[MrsSprat]

A thin Sony Ericsson one. I'm in North Toronto, but car-less for the next few days

[NotQuiteCockney]

Ok, if you google the model number, you might find help.

Otherwise, I got mine unlocked (also a Sony Ericsson, strangely) last summer at a stall in the Dufferin Grove Mall. If you are home with non-baby DCs, the Dufferin Grove Park, next door, is, I swear, the best playground in the universe. Just next to Dufferin West (I think that's the name?) subway.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think there's a shop at Yonge (is that spelled right?) and Bloor that does it too, something in the Eaton Centre.

Or you might be able to get the codes online, for free, or a more nominal charge.