Orange PAYG sim-unlock

[tali1]

Few years ago my friend gave me his old mobile phone with Orange PAYG sim.Now i want to unlock it (as i want to keep my number on a new phone i have with T-mobile)
Trouble is Orange PAYG sim is registered to my friend- so is it possible for me to register the Orange PAYG sim with my details?
Or does my friend have to make request for my details to be on the SIM (which would be big prob as i ain't seen him in 4 years or know of his address)

[deggers316]

you dont have to register a sim card,only if you want to top up by credit / debit card
if your new sim is orange just put it in

[ummmm]

(as i want to keep my number on a new phone i have with T-mobile)

Orange sims can only go into orange phones.

[jomifl]

orange sims can go into an unlocked phone, I transferred my wifes sim to an unlocked phone simply by putting it in, no problems so far after a couple of years.

[jomifl]

you can get you t mobile phone unlocked for about £15 . phone them or email them they will happily take your money and give you the unlock code.

[tali1]

£15 ? afaik T-mobile unlock for free -even so they need Code off Orange - afaik - all a bit confusing

[Old_Geezer]

The SIM and the Handset are separate. If Orange supplied the phone then they will have subsidised it to encourage your friend to sign up on one of their accounts. Consequently if you want the code to unlock it Orange may want paying to cover that subsidy, unless they feel your friend has spent enough with them to cover it.

The SIM card can only be used with the service provider it connects to. If you no longer want to use the SIM you can sling it, but I'd suggest you ensure you have used up the credit first.

Few years ago eh ? The SIM has probably been removed from the Orange database by now then.

As for the handset, as it is locked to Orange it may be the simplest solution to take it to a shop or market stall who offer an unlocking service. It isn't expensive. £15 seems a bit over the top to me, but I've not paid for a handset to be unlocked for ages.

It may be worthwhile you trying Orange/T-Mobile first, since they are now both owned by the same company. Never know, there may be free/cheap transfer service, but I'd not hold my breath.

[tali1]

I did phone Orange -prior to my question - and SIM was on their records -on my friends details- but due to Data Protection couldn't really do much
Orange did not mention any cost in unlocking