Ofcom today published a guide on how the major mobile providers lock and unlock phones. Ofcom’s guide features tables on which providers lock mobile phones and how much it will cost you to unlock them. There is lots of variation in what different companies do, highlighting how confusing it can be for consumers. Three Mobile and Giffgaff already sell all of their mobiles unlocked. However, others charge as much as £20 to get your phone unlocked – a process that can take as long as 28 days. Which? believe you shouldn't have to pay a hefty fee to unlock your mobile. That's one of the reasons why they have launched a campaign to Unlock Better Mobile Deals. You can help them keep the pressure on the big mobile providers by signing their petition here: http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/mobile-phone-deals/?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=mobiles_ee_update_notsigned_fulllist_05082014

Hi, My son recently bought a virtually brand new iPhone from a reputable seller on ebay unlocked. However, upon receipt the actual handset was locked to T-Mobile. As my son was happy with the phone and it was just a matter of unlocking it, the seller suggested to him that an online company http://www.officialiphoneunlock.co.uk have a good reputation (as we were aware of the whole iPhone unlocking [problem]s etc) and to approach them. My son visited the site and completed his details and was charged £19.99 (plus £2-3 extra admin fee or something or the other) They stated upon order that it would take between 48 hrs to 14 days dependant on network. To my sons total surprise when he checked the unlock status within the website they were asking for an extra £80 to unlock the iPhone. At this point I became involved and checked the website, hidden discretely within the FAQ's was a note that the initial payment is a "pre-order" payment to authorise and negotiate with the network to unlock your handset?? Its very misleading and in my opinion a very unprofessional approach. I tried ring their "Helpline" but was automatically told via recorded message that they do not deal with pending orders on the phone, I still waited, and waited ... and waited... 45mins and still no answer. I hung up.. I then emailed to sales@ and instantly got a auto-reply .. AGAIN, stating they do not deal with pending orders.. ... so I sent a support message via there rather lame support page, heard nothing back at all.. By the way this is an online unlocking company with so so many five star ratings and cast iron money back guarantee etc.. Shockingly bad company from what I have had to put up with. My angle is just how many other "suckers" have they pulled in with this £19.99 preorder nonesense, it should be CLEARLY stated upon paying. Apparently on the website they wont refund "pre order" payments (no surprise there!?) I have also said in another forum I have since found about this company that if you get your bank to chargeback the charges they "supposedly" will blacklist your IMEI?? We have now returned the handset to the ebay seller for refund, however we are out of pocket for the £23 we paid total and as we did it, the ebay seller obviously wont refund that. Be warned, under no circumstances use this unlocking company, infact from this experience we wont be using ANY online unlocking company ..period.. On a final note, what chance do I have of getting money back?.. upon checking whois for there website there address is registered at Sychelles !! duh.. Anyway sorry for long post, hopefully it acts as a warning to others, terrible terrible company.

Hi Guys, I need a bit of advice as this is starting to drive me up the wall. My sisters Boyfriend had an iphone 4 with three on contract. When his contract was finished, he upgraded his handset and sold me the iphone 4 (which as I understand is now out of contract and paid for etc) It is locked to three however. Which imo is a terrible network and my area has poor coverage so I want to use my GiffGaff simcard. I have spoken to Three customer services 4 times on the phone now. And they say when I give them the IMEI that the phone isn't registered, and to register it I need to give them proof of purchase. I gave up trying to explain that I bought the phone second hand. Anyway, I spoke to the original owner and he decided to speak to three for me. He spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to explain that he wanted his previous handset unlocked. they charge £15 but fine whatever, i just want it done. Again on giving the IMEI they tell him the handset is not registered. and that he needs to send in the reciept to register it and prove who's it is. Now here is the problem. When he bought the phone originally. he was given a broken phone that was in pieces upon opening the box, so he was given a replacement. He has gone home and found the receipt, and low and behold the only receipts are for the original broken iphone and not the replacement. the IMEI number is different. So i feel we are at a bit of a dead end. Every single member of staff we have spoken to in the call centre just aren't willing to help and just keep repeating that we need P O P before we can register it and then get the phone unlocked. This is starting to drive me potty. I can't even just change my current number to 3 so i can use the phone as I have no signal in my home. and companys are wanting upwards of £100 to unlock the handset which just isn't an option. Can anybody help? I have complained through the official channels but that hasn't gotten me anywhere either. The whole situation is just one big joke. The phone is out of contract so I see no reason why it should still be locked down to Three.