Comments on: Locking Mobile Phones

By: Javen Kaelin

Javen Kaelin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:13:25 +0000

I really like and appreciate your blog post.Really thank you! Really Great.

By: Mobiles NZ

Mobiles NZ — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:31:24 +0000

Yes I don’t know why they lock phones (for protection or region locking). People can always find a way to unlock things anyway.

By: Tim McKenzie

Tim McKenzie — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:15:43 +0000

To the other Tim (and anyone else who’s interested):
This website might be helpful, but I can’t vouch for its accuracy:
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_nz.shtml
I found that site through a link from http://www.openmoko.com/product.html , which I’m seriously thinking about buying. Think of it as an iPhone without the lock-in. Or perhaps this way: the Neo Freerunner is to the iPhone as myPVR is to mySky.

By: colin

colin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:20:07 +0000

Tim

Currently Telecom doesn’t use the same technology as iPhones so they won’t work on the 027 network. Existing Telecom phones don’t have SIMs (except the world mode ones and they are only active when the phone is offshore). Telecom is supposed to be putting out a WCDMA network next year, and I think, but I’m not certain because the frequency band may be wrong, that an iPhone 3G would work on that network, although only in 3G mode.

After Telecom launch this new network things will be clearer. In the meantime the Voda network is the only game in town for iPhones.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:32:26 +0000

Hi Colin, brilliant blog. Regarding points 5 and 6 on this thread, I’m wondering if you could advise me where to find out about the frequency band that Telecom uses? I’m keen to try an unloacked iPhone with a Telecom SIM. Kind regards, Tim

By: colin

colin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:15:22 +0000

There’s a couple of points to check. The Telecom GSM network will be 3G only so any phone you buy would have to be 3G as well. You would also want be certain that the frequency band used by Telecom would also have to be supported by the phone.

So, the answer is yes in principle, but in practice there are some things that need to be checked about the phone and the network.

Cheers…Colin

By: Frustrated

Frustrated — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:51:30 +0000

If i was to buy an unlocked gsm phone, and insert a telecom sim card , Would the phone work on the telecom network ?

By: it.gen.nz » Mobile phone locking - Not

it.gen.nz » Mobile phone locking - Not — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:27:50 +0000

[...] few weeks ago I blogged and talked on air about how Vodafone had decided to lock the phones it sells in New Zealand from [...]

By: TEx

TEx — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:41:40 +0000

Yes I am still at NZ Comms
and i am still engaged working building a 3rd network we can lower prices and increase service in NZ

it has been a bit of a marathon to get going, but its becoming clearer that there were some pretty big barriers to entry

cheers

Tex

By: colin

colin — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:19:05 +0000

David

NZ Communications was formerly known as Econet Wireless. They are a new entrant mobile phone network, based in Auckland. Their visible face used to be Tex Edwards, but I don’t know if he is still involved.

I am afraid I don’t have a phone number for them but using White Pages and looking for NZ Communications or Econet should find them.

Cheers

Colin