Gentlefolk,
This is a tale (Rant??) of woe and warning !!!
Many moons ago, on the day the iPhone 3G was launched, I hurtled into the local Vodafone shop to purchase this magnificent piece of modern technology.
I used it for a year or two but then decided to transfer to O2 mobile (pay monthly on a tariff shortly to be increased to just under £17.00) as, at that time, they were quite Apple-friendly.
I have continued again contentedly until, as an OAP, I needed to reduce my outgoings to match my mobile requirements.
As I have the best possible UK broadband (Except for the truly enlightened folk such as B4RN) and phone service from Virgin Media, I found that for £10.00 pcm they would provide 250 minutes of calls, unlimited texts and 1 Gbps data.
Virgin did warm me that I required to have an unlocked iPhone.
I obtained my PAC from O2 to transfer my old phone number to the new Virgin SIM. I told the Virgin agent that I wanted to transfer the number and gave her the PAC which she then told me would be activated in 24 hours. I inserted the new SIM only to find that it couldn't be unlocked despite following the agent's advice.
I spent a merry hour "Chatting" to O2 who eventually told me that they couldn't unlock the phone as it wasn't purchased from them.
Off I go to the local O2 shop to be told that same message but that I must return to Vodafone. Thankfully they are nearly opposite where I'm told that's nonsense as their unlock codes can't unlock a different Provider's lock. Back across to O2's senior manager where eventually I was provided with the URL:-
https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20FormI completed this last night being informed that they would contact me within 28 days !
Imagine my surprise to get an e-mail first thing this morning from O2 - only to find that the process had failed.
Furthermore I now have a useless iPhone which won't work on either network.
Yet another hour's "Chat" to O2:-
O2 GURU - Alex: at 11:24:34
I've discussed the matter with my supervisor and he has given me a great advice and through that you can get the phone unlock./
Walter Willcox: at 11:25:09
O.K. so please tell me how to do this.
O2 GURU - Alex: at 11:25:14
You can get a free pay as go SIM, Top- it Up, make a chargeable call so the iPhone can be registered with the number.
O2 GURU - Alex: at 11:25:57
Once the number is registered then please contact us we'll arrange the unlocking within 72 hours and £15 from your call time balance.
Simples !!!![/b]Except that I have to pay £20 for the privilege and it seems wait up to another 14 days without a workable phone after I've used my PAYG balance of £3.00.
They also refuse to refund me any money from my last pay monthly bill.
Perhaps I should cancel the DDR now, but then I'll have a black-listed credit rating.
Wait for the next exciting episode of this quite abominable gross extortion.
Cue Archers music !!!
Kind regards,
Walter