Cingular unlock codes?

[gcomstock]

This isn't exactly a "computer / internet" question...AND I'm possibly jumping the gun, since the phone hasn't even arrived, but I just posted winning a Sony Ericsson T616 phone from Cingular. My strong hunch is that they will NOT send out an unlocked phone...it will come already "provisioned" for use on the Cingular Network.

I've called my carrier (AT&T Wireless) and they said "no problem with using the phone on our network, but you're gonna hafta get the unlock code from Cingular." That sent me on a research trip about "unlock codes" that led me all over, from the Amazon user reviews to a great cellphone forum: Howardforums.com. What I've gathered so far is that with all the new "phone number portability" issues...Cingular has taken a pretty strong "no unlock codes provided" policy. But from the howardforums (where lots of phone company and techies post) there *are* some workarounds that a techie can figure out, or an aggressive mooch can wheedle. They've even mentioned putting a blank SIM card in the phone, and then trying out a couple dozen dummy codes to unlock it.

So, here's a longshot request- any Cingular customers, or cellphone experts have a tip on how I can unlock this phone (which I will ostensibly OWN outright, once it arrives) so that I can have my carrier set it up to use on the AT&T network? Thanks!

[anangke]

theres a message board that deals with all aspects of unlocking your phone. phonehackers something like that anyway. I would do an internet search. I tried to unlock my old crappy phone (didnt' work to old). I bought a usb cable and downloaded a program. That might be what you end up having to do. Be careful if you do scan the program for viruses.

[simmi5]

I don't know if this will hold true for you, but it very well might. I won a Cingular phone awhile back. It was the Sony Ericsson T316 from the Charlie's Angels sweeps. When I received the phone, it did not come with a SIM card. I contacted Sony-Ericsson about it. All the phone needed was a SIM card from a compatible carrier. They told me it would work with ATT, T-Mobile or Cingular. I also just purchased a Cingular win cell phone from someone here on the site, the Nokia 3600, and it was in a Cingular box, again with no SIM card. I don't think you'll have a problem.

[infinitybean]

WOW, this is so relevant to my current situation.
I just got Cingular service, and I absolutely hate the dinky little phone I got for free with my service.
Just to give you an idea, a child in my daughter's class at school actually pointed and laughed at my phone and asked me if it was real...
In any case, I have an old phone I used with my TMobile service that I love. I tried to swap out the SIM cards but I got a "simcard error." I do not want to highjack George's thread, but if anybody knows if there is a workaround applicable to my situation that can be taught to a trained-monkey-level-techno-idgit, I would really appreciate an email or a PM.
Good luck with your phone, George... and congratulations on the win... and thank you for the info!

[MrsM]

I'm sorry..........I died laughing when I read this sentence. That's something that would happen to me..... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: The Al Bundy Dodge Dart of phones.



Just to give you an idea, a child in my daughter's class at school actually pointed and laughed at my phone and asked me if it was real...

[mistydowg]

hey all-I happened to read the post on code unlocking, and found it interesting because i had tried to do this on my nokia 5165 just a couple of days ago. both my mom and i have the same models, but i discontinued my service with uscell 1 yr ago because it kept dropping out. i really didn't need it as i have 2 landlines. but now mom just had surgery (72yrs), and I wondered if anyone knows how i can use my cell phone on her cell number? is it possible to switch my old number to her number on my phone? i just thought it would be convenient because she is forgetful, doesn't charge her phone ~ so if mine was charged she could use it. i researched a little bit on www.phonehackers.com and also howardforums.com, but couldn't find any relative info. if any1 has any info, please email me at mistydowg@aol.com

also, i just noticed that OLS is #1 on clear channel money tree today! hopefully, the info on the homepage will be updated soon. remember that it ends on 12/22!!

happy wins to all! :-Þ

[Marilyn]

I won a Sony T316 & I have ATT-WS. I had to buy a SIM chip from ATT to use it. It cost $20. I pm'd you with some info I got when I wrote to Sony & ATT.

[chinchilla]

I wondered the same thing when I won a phone with Cingular service so I did a little research. There are sites on the web which will provide an unlock code for Nokia phones. Some looked questionable, but the one below looked OK and I'm going to try it when my phone arrives:

http://www.unlock123.com/models.asp

They charge $4.95.