Hello. I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this topic, but I'm going to try anyway.

I moved to Zurich on Sunday from NYC and Frankfurt. My blackberry SIM is blocked in Germany (T-mobile). How do I, or is it possible, to get it even unlocked at this stage? Is it only T-mobile that can unlock it?

Honestly, I wasn't told by my German provider that they will lock the SIM. It really pissed me off yesterday when I went to Mobilzone and found out that it was locked. They must have thought that I stole the blackberry from someone... That was embarrassing. At least my details on it matched my passport, so I couldn't have. I didn't.

Anyway, help will be appreciated.

The providers block the phones because they are extremely expensive and are in fact heavily subsidised. It wouldn't do to subsidise an expensive phone, just for your customer to go elsewhere with it - if you do go somewhere else, you have to get another phone .

Having said all this, the lock is just software and most software can be cracked eventually. There are plenty of street corner places that can perform unlocking operations. However, as the software is getting more sophisticated, so it takes longer to crack it. For example, to the best of my understanding the latest N range from Nokia can't yet be unlocked.

You need to find such a place and see if they are able. A quick google should reveal whether or not your model is yet unlockable.

Contact T-mobile directly in Germany - they will probably unlock it for free. It depends how long you've been with them. I was with Vodfafone, Ireland before I moved over and they had no problem about unlocking it.

Thanks, smbuzby. I was actually "advised" by this guy at Mobilzone to go to Swisscom because apparently there's an agreement between Swisscom and T-mobile? Don't know... But anyway I told this guy at Swisscom my sad story and the guy literally laughed at my face and sounded like, "ha-ha... so much for stealing that blackberry...". I wanted to slap him.

But in any case, he did say that there are underground places to get this unlocked, but is of course illegal, so he suggested that I call T-mobile, which would then give me a code to unlock it. I'll try that, but I'm not buying into it so much. Hence, my continued search for alternatives.

Where is this underground??? I'm really getting desperate to get this unlocked. I want to have a Swiss provider now. If I sound like I'm whining I'm really sorry. I just hate the fact that T-mobile locked my SIM. I think they should have at least advised me. It's only fair.

Do a Web search, there are probably places than can do it.

http://www.google.com/search?source=...berry+t-mobile

(or you might be able to find code & instructions online and do it yourself)

[quote=smbuzby;79101]
Having said all this, the lock is just software and most software can be cracked eventually. There are plenty of street corner places that can perform unlocking operations. However, as the software is getting more sophisticated, so it takes longer to crack it. For example, to the best of my understanding the latest N range from Nokia can't yet be unlocked.quote]

on Blackberry this also applies, some models can be unlocked, some models can't .... here is a site that may help .. will cost you around $25.00 (disclaimer, don't know em, have not used em ...)

I a have BB Pearl from T-Mobile US. I called them up, told them I was traveling abroad (and indeed was already in Switzerland) and they put me through the unlock process (takes about a day or two, they'll email you the codes and instructions).

Not a big deal, really - they even asked me if I was staying permanently, and if so, would I like to cancel my contract (for which I just had to fax them my employment contract). Very pleasant experience, actually - I would guess that the T-Mobile Germany experience would be similar.

If you're worried about them refusing to unlock it for some reason, simply tell them that you're traveling and want to use a prepaid SIM during your time abroad. Cancel your contract AFTER the phone has been unlocked.

did you get the Blackberry from T-Mobile USA or from T-Mobile Germany? The reason why I ask: T-Mobile Germany usually doesn't actually lock its BBs. I have bought T-Mobile Germany branded BBs twice already and neither one was locked. Don't know about the US devices, though.

What you need to do, in any case: get it removed from the T-Mobile system (that has nothing to do with SIM-lock, all BBs are registered with RIM through the provider that gave the device to you). Before you can re-register it in Switzerland, it has to be removed from the system.

Peter

This was originally posted in '07, I certainly hope the BB is unlocked by now.

Good advice though.

Whoops :-)