OK, I'm in the older generation so don't understand some of the new technology, so bear with me. What is a locked or unlocked phone and how do you tell the difference? I have an old metfone phone (girls won't even steal it its so old/cheap but I really like it.) If locked how do I get it unlocked, at what price and is it worth it. Will it change the way the phone works? I noticed a booth in the Snooky market and all the guy does is unlock phones.

I am traveling to OZ for the first time and would like to take the phone with me, is this possible? Do I just buy a sim card in OZ for it? (after getting it unlocked?) Does another card still let me use my number? I don't plan on using it very much, just for emergencies if I'm out on the road (renting a car) and break down or get in an accident.

Sailorman wrote:OK, I'm in the older generation so don't understand some of the new technology, so bear with me. What is a locked or unlocked phone and how do you tell the difference?.

I'm no expert either. But I know some phone service providers sell you smartphones at huge discounts (ie subsidies) if you agree to a long term contract for voice/data packages with their networks. That service provider does not want you to skip out on your contract and then still be able to use that discounted smartphone with one of their competitors, or they take all the loss on that discount without any future benefit to them from monthly billings to you for the next 3 years or whatever. Therefore they "lock" your discounted phone so it only works with their cellular network. If you don't pay them for the service, your phone is now useless. You are locked in to their system only unless you surreptitiously get that phone "unlocked".

Yes, take it to a booth/shop and get it unlocked.

I had one unlocked in PP a few years back, it was locked to an Australian company. I think it was 2 or 3 dollars it made no difference to the phone other than I could then run a local sim.

Yes, you should be able to buy a sim card over there.

Last time I was over one company were offering $2 sims in supermarkets but that was 18 months ago so I've no idea about current prices. If you do a bit of research on the net in advance you should be able to narrow down the options.

Also, depending on where you plan going, you may want to check their reception footprint. Out bush there are vast areas with no coverage at all and some areas where only Telstra will work. Thing may have changed over the last 4 years, but I would expect the bush to still be the same.

Virgin Mobile is okay in Oz, a cheaper option than Telstra.

"Locked" means that the phone is electronically coded so that it will only work on the company network that it is locked to - for example, Telstra. This lock can be removed by connecting the device to a laptop, running an unlock program, and providing a single-use digital code. The code is the bit you pay for.

If this is not your usual field, pay a guy a couple of bucks to unlock the phone before you go to Oz. Your Cambodian SIM is almost certainly not going to work in Oz (unless one of the 'shark' Telco's systems recognises your incoming SIM and texts you an offer to use their network to roam - do NOT do this unless you have lots, and lots, and lots of money, and if that's the case, send some my way) so buy a SIM in Oz. A SIM starter should cost you a couple of bucks with some startup credit, and you'll get a credit if you top up quickly using a voucher from almost any convenience store (same as here). Be ready though, mobile phone costs in Australia are some of the filthiest in the world. Don't plan on calling back to Cambodia a lot.

The phone company in OZ will not be able to detect that it is an "unlock" phone?
I would not worry to see the cops get involved but more about them storing that information. Mr/Ms XX used an "unlock" phone. That could potentially be problematic.
I would not worry with metfone but that could be a concern if buying an high end model from a barang or anyone coming from a develop country especially if I used a subscription associated to my own name or if planning to use the phone abroad.

I already have been told some years ago to avoid buying second hand phone in Thailand, if the phone was stolen that could lead to problem at the airport with the Thai authority, no problem if you stay in Thailand though. But could also have been paranoiac talk as nobody never check or was even remotely interested by my phone at the airport (never saw anyone controlled at the airport in fact, but I know that in my country it is not unusual to have the police check this type of things, not the US or Oz I precise where they cannot do this sort of thing so easily)

Purchasing a phone at a retail shop without any inherent service provider contract would solve the problem.

If you need to make LD calls, try WiFi connected Viper or LINE services (or voip) without going through Cellular.

Milord wrote:If you need to make LD calls, try WiFi connected Viper or LINE services (or voip) without going through Cellular.

I was quite surprised when we went to Oz recently. My wife's phone didn't have a sim, but one day I noticed she was talking on the phone (to our neighbour in PP). How? Facebook.
Just connect to a wifi and you can make calls via FB (and Viper, Line, Skype, etc), no sim necessary.

FB How to: https://www.facebook.com/help/439078162792430/

ryoon wrote:The phone company in OZ will not be able to detect that it is an "unlock" phone?
I would not worry to see the cops get involved but more about them storing that information. Mr/Ms XX used an "unlock" phone. That could potentially be problematic.
I would not worry with metfone but that could be a concern if buying an high end model from a barang or anyone coming from a develop country especially if I used a subscription associated to my own name or if planning to use the phone abroad.

I already have been told some years ago to avoid buying second hand phone in Thailand, if the phone was stolen that could lead to problem at the airport with the Thai authority, no problem if you stay in Thailand though. But could also have been paranoiac talk as nobody never check or was even remotely interested by my phone at the airport (never saw anyone controlled at the airport in fact, but I know that in my country it is not unusual to have the police check this type of things, not the US or Oz I precise where they cannot do this sort of thing so easily)

?? This is just mumbo jumbo bullshit! All phone companies can detect if a phone is locked or unlocked - if it is locked, you will not be able to use it in Oz. No idea what you are on about regarding the police?? What the fuck does that matter??

Joker Poker wrote:Yes, take it to a booth/shop and get it unlocked.

I had one unlocked in PP a few years back, it was locked to an Australian company. I think it was 2 or 3 dollars it made no difference to the phone other than I could then run a local sim.

Yes, you should be able to buy a sim card over there.

Last time I was over one company were offering $2 sims in supermarkets but that was 18 months ago so I've no idea about current prices. If you do a bit of research on the net in advance you should be able to narrow down the options.

This is still the case ....... there are several companies which will give you $2 startups - and then you just need to top up with credit (again, as long as your phone is unlocked). Amaysim has one of the better rates for this type of sim. Coverage as JP said is better with Telstra, but both Optus and Vodaphone have increased their coverage, and so you really need to be in the backdrop boonies with the abos to not be in touch. Data plans with the sims vary - so you are better to check online first to see which sims will suit your needs.
Can be got from supermarkets (coles and woolworths), 7-11's, and most branded service stations.