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Hello everyone;
I've just bought 2 z500a's.
1. I want to use these overseas (currently US with Cingular).
2. I would like to purchase a SIM overseas so I don't get blasted with roaming charges.

OK, so here are my questions:
1. How can I tell if the phone(s) are locked or unlocked to Cingular? (if it helps, the "SIM lock" menu says "Off")
2. If they are locked, how can they be unlocked?
3. Can the unlocking be done through software, or through hardware means?
4. Once abroad, is it just as simple as buying another SIM from a tabac or something and popping it in the phone? Are these prepaid? What will the new phone # be? I'd like to be fully informed before I get there (this will be the first time travelling with a phone)

I've read through the forums quite a bit but most of the jargon used is indecipherable to me. Many things are quoted like "logs", "dongle", etc.... but none of these terms makes sense.

Thanks in advance;
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Posted: 2005-01-31 19:54:49
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If it is locked, it will only accept sim cards from one service provider. The z500a can only be used in the us, because it has a 850 band, whereas the rest of the world has 900. However you can use 1800 and 1900 where available, but that will greately limit the functionalty. This message was posted from a K500
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Posted: 2005-01-31 19:59:46
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Thanks for the reply; I realize that the 850 and 1900 bands are for US use, but in Europe 900 and 1800 bands are used (primarily). The phone is 850/1800/1900. I've looked at coverage maps and provider information for the countries I'll be visiting, and basically wherever 900 is offered, so is 1800, so unless I travel to some odd out of the way place, I will have 1800 coverage and be fine. (gsmworld.com)

My question was how I can tell if the phone is locked without having another SIM (it doesn't occur to many that not all people have access to all sorts of SIM cards). Also, if it is locked, what is the cheapest way to go about unlocking it?

Thanks;
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Posted: 2005-01-31 22:35:14
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If it is locked, ONLY one sim will work. Put in a sim from ANY other service provider, if it works, you can say with 100% guarantee that all the rest of the sim's from any part of the world will work. You can also check the lock status in service menu, This message was posted from a K500
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Posted: 2005-01-31 22:42:02
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here are a few ideas of mine regarding your questions:

1. go to the service menu of your fone ( >*
2. & 3. If it is locked by the network, you can have it unlocked easily via software.

4. If you are abroad, you don't have to get your fone unlocked, you simply buy a new SIM and insert it in to your fone. you will have a different number of course. and probably prepaid but you can apply for a postpaid line if you want from the provibders available in the country you are visiting.

hope this helps.


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Posted: 2005-02-01 06:12:53
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Thanks for the reply. I've followed your directions, this is what I get:
SIM Lock:
Network (lock 5)
Network subset (unlock 5)
Service provider (unlock 5)
Corporate (unlock 5)
ESL (unlock 5)

So what does this mean? Is the phone locked to Cingular or not (it says network locked but service provider unlocked)? Or, does the network lock refer to the GSM frequencies it uses?

Thanks;
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Posted: 2005-02-01 18:40:03
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Your Phone is locked, you can get it unlocked by your opertor (call them), online with a cable (multiserver.com), or on a 'market'.
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Posted: 2005-02-01 18:44:36
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Yes, it's effectively locked to Cingular which means that, at the moment you can't use a sim card from any other network (or operator, effectively the same thing in most cases) unless you get it 'unlocked'. This includes both pay-as-you-go and contract sims.

Unlocking is the process of modifying the phones' internal settings to allow it to take sim cards from all operators / networks. It can be achieved in several ways. The most common is by connecting the phone to a PC using a special cable and applying the 'fix' using special software.

Some phones allow you to directly enter a code that is supplied to you via your operator in order to unlock the phone. The basic idea is that you call your operator, tell them that you want to unlock your phone and they then give you the code along with instructions on how to use it. The reality, however, is not always like that. Most the time they will try to tell you that it's not possible or not their policy to give you unlocking instructions, so good luck on that one!

Your best bet is to find someone in your area who can unlock phones using the cable method. In the UK at least, the nearest open-air or indoor Market is the best place to look as the previous poster stated, but lots of mobile phone shops also offer unlocking as part of their services.
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Posted: 2005-02-01 21:02:56
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Thanks for all the posts. Can you tell me, do things like this work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayIS[....]ory=35208&item=5748064275&rd=1

It doesnt explicitly say z500a, though. Unfortunately here in the US, going to some outside market isn't that easy!

Thanks;
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Posted: 2005-02-02 01:23:11
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ur fone is definitely locked to your network operator, meaning in the country u are on, you can only use the sim card of you service provider. if u are planning to use your fone in your country with a s\different operator, suggest u get the fone to ur operati\or and have it unlocked. but if u only plan to use a differnt sim in another country, then u can just buy a sim from the different operators in the country u are visiting and simply insert it to your fone.

i bought my fone in thailand and it is locked to a local network operator. but when i took it back with me in the philippines, i simply inserted a new sim from our local operators and the fone is good to go.
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Posted: 2005-02-02 01:45:43
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