Nokia N95

chiara.feli · #1 10-29-2008, 11:34 AM

hello there,
i recently got a new n95 8gb (firmware v20.0.016).
the phone works well and as its new i not very keen to debrand and void the guarantee.
unfortunatley i live and work in an area where the 3netwrok is very patchy.
which means that teh phone signal is just rubbish..
i would like to select the network provider manually but this option is not available in the branded software.
is there anyway of overriding the network provider choice without debranding the phone? any software hack that would do the trick?!
thanks a lot.
regards
chiara

93tid · #2 10-29-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiara.feli

hello there,
i recently got a new n95 8gb (firmware v20.0.016).
the phone works well and as its new i not very keen to debrand and void the guarantee.
unfortunatley i live and work in an area where the 3netwrok is very patchy.
which means that teh phone signal is just rubbish..
i would like to select the network provider manually but this option is not available in the branded software.
is there anyway of overriding the network provider choice without debranding the phone? any software hack that would do the trick?!
thanks a lot.
regards
chiara

Your phone is on contract and is SIM-locked to the network you have taken out the contract with. You need to get your phone unlocked and there is no software hack for it.

You can try to obtain the necessary unlock code from your network - highly unlikey without having to pay the full balance on your contract in full or they might not even agree to that.

Your other option is to take it to any phone shop/stall which offers unlocking services and have it done there. I don't know how much they would charge you, probably around 20 quid. The unlocking requires specialised hardware, software and expertise and is not a DIY job by any standards.

Of course, in order to use a different network, you must have a working SIM card from that network - you cannot use any other network in the UK with a SIM card from 3.

Maybe you should reconsider whether you want to keep your contract with 3 at all, since what's the point of having it if you intend to use another network, for which you will need at least a PAYG SIM card, if not another contract.

Homer · #3 10-29-2008, 03:48 PM

As 93tid said, the SIM is locked to the network, or networks with a roaming agreement with that network (usually networks in other countries).

If you have a 3 SIM you are limited to using the 3 network no matter what you do to the phone.

What you can do about it depends on how long you have had the contract. If you are within the cooling off period then send the phone back and choose another provider. If you are nearing the end of your contract then wait until your minimum contract is up, ask for the phone unlock code, then find a new provider.