Ofcom publishes guide to mobile unlocking policies

[Michael Browne]

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

[MaxxPower]

I think it's a disgrace that providers are allowed to charge to unlock a mobile after they more than recoup the costs during the course of the contract.

You're much better off going to an independent unlock code website. They charge half the price and provide the code usually within minutes.