the "legal" way to unlock a cellphone

I contacted Cingular (my carrier in the U.S.) with the following information (i have entered asterisks instead of sharing my personal info. Sorry, fans.)

Account # *********

Name on the account Jenni X

Mobile # ***-***-****

Phone make and model SonyEricsson s710a

IMEI # ********-******-*-**

( To get the IMEI #, look at the label on the original carton, or dial *#06# on the S710a. ) I called 1-800-331-0500. This got me to customer service, who transferred me to tech support. I told them i was going to Europe for a month and would like to use my phone. Eventually the rep asked me to fax my phone purchase info (& receipt)... she actually called me back and told me she'd submit my request although usually they would make me wait 90 days because i received a $50 discount on my $399 phone?)

A week later I called back, got transferred around a few times and then was told i'd have to wait, someone will be calling me. Finally, a couple of days later, i got the email below direct from Sony Ericsson. The rep from Cingular did call me back a day or two later to make sure i was all set.

Subsidy unlock code for IMEI **************** is *******************

1. For the unlocking of a locked Sony Ericsson, no Simcard is required.

2. Turn on the handset. Display will indicate "Insert SIM."

3. Press the left Arrow (<) button.

4. Press the star (*) button twice.

5. Press the left Arrow (<) button again.

6. You will briefly see the message "Personalized with MNC2" or "Personalized with MNC3".

7. Wait approximately three seconds.

8. The display will indicate "Network" and a picture of a closed lock.

9. Press Select.

10. The display will indicate "Unlock (Net)5" and "NCK:".

11. Enter the 16 digit code and press okay.

12. The handset will display "Network unlocked" and the display "Insert SIM" appears.

13. The handset is successfully unlocked.

Richard Diaz

Cingular Wireless

Technical Support-West

ATCC-Castle Call Center

Please do not reply to this e-mail as outside e-mail will be delivered to an unmonitored mailbox and automatically deleted. All questions should be directed at Cingular Wireless customer care 1-800-331-0500

That's it, all is well. I've been able to use several different providers during my current trip to Europe

peace,

jenni