Unlocking an ancient Orange phone

[Professor667]

Hi, I've got an Ericsson A2618s that dates back to 2000 and is locked to Orange. It is still working but isn't usable as it is locked. How can I unlock it? Tried to download service tools but they work only with newer models. Need help.

[XRaySpeX]

Where did you yourself get this device itself originally? Did you buy it yourself new direct from EE/Orange or from a 3rd-party reseller or is it 2nd-hand? The unlocking process & costs are different. Was it originally on contract or PAYG?

[Professor667]

I bought it second-hand on eBay a few years ago. I don't know if it was on contract or PAYG, however, it came with an Orange SIM inside, and it has a "Payasyougo" option in "Orange Plus" menu. So I think it was PAYG.

[Chris_B]

@Professor667  To get this device unlocked you have to call customer services to request this and you’ll be charged £8.99 as the device isn’t registered to you or your account.  Ie because it’s 2nd hand. 

[Professor667]

How can they charge me £8.99 if I call? I suppose the payment should be somewhere online, not via a voice call 🙂

[Chris_B]

@Professor667  Credit/debt card.  As it’s a 2nd hand device you have to call you can not request this online or pay via a online payment process. 

[Professor667]

You mean DTMF?

[Chris_B]

@Professor667  You have to call customer services to make the request, they’ll put you through to the unlocking team.   They will request payment via card.  It’ll take between 72 hours to 10 days.    I’ve even had a device unlocked in less than 15 hours. But you have to call customer services to start the process.  

[XRaySpeX]

To unlock a 2nd-hand phone you need to call Customer Services on +44 800 956 6000 (option 2, option 4) to put you in touch with the Unlocking Team to request an Unlock Code. You will be asked for your email addy. They will take payment (of £8.99) from any valid UK bank card.

Once the process has been started you will receive an email from the Unlocking Team to process the unlock. It can take up to 10 days to complete the unlock.

But even so beware that EE could still refuse to unlock it. Many phones sold 2nd-hand have been reported lost or stolen, have been sold by the original owner when under 6 months old without EE's permission or have money owing on them.

If that is the case your only remedy is against whoever you got the phone from.

[Professor667]

Looks like a problem as I live in Russia and have no UK bank cards, of course.

The phone came in original box with all accessories so I don't think it is lost or stolen.