Well, I found out today that all of the unlock codes for Blackberry phones are unique.
Basically, you need to call the carrier, and provide them with the IMEI number from the phone in order to get the unlock code. I guess there may be some other hardware based solution, but calling the carrier and getting the code seems to be the easiest and the cheapest solution as well.
Image via WikipediaHere’s something that I’ve found that works great for getting results quick:
When the agent comes on the phone, tell them that you are trying to unlock the phone so you can donate it. If they ask you more specific info, tell them it’s your brother’s phone, or your old company phone or something like that and you’re trying to unlock it so you can donate it to <insert a worthy cause>.
I know that may be a lie, but I think that if you can stretch the truth a little and get the phone unlocked, then good on ya. You can always say that you bought the phone on ebay and the original owner told you that you could call the carrier and get the phone unlocked.
Why do you need to have an unlocked phone?
If you want to switch carriers, but don’t want to switch phones, you have to have your phone unlocked. Another reason, is if you’re traveling overseas, you may be able to purchase a SIM card in the country that you are visiting, and have local phone service form a local carrier instead of having to pay whatever your U.S. based carrier wants to charge you for using the phone internationally. I just thought I’d give you a couple of reasons for why you may want your phone unlocked.
As for me, I’m too broke to afford a new Blackberry with a cool data plan, so I’m all ghetto stylin with an old AT&T Blackberry on T-Mobile. I don’t have a data plan for it, so I just use it as a PDA. Sad, I know.
