[3GScottishUser]

From Mobile Today (23/08/2006):

Nokia is offering operators tougher Sim-locking on all its phones in a bid to protect its phones from box breaking.

Operators will be able to choose between being harder on network-locking Nokia handsets or even restricting handsets to a single Sim card.

The manufacturer has introduced technology to burn the Sim's details into the phone's memory. It comes amid concerns within Nokia that operators are shunning handsets because they are targeted by box breakers looking to buy subsidised handsets and sell them abroad.

An operator insider said: 'We've been pushing all the manufacturers for more robust network locks.'
Operators are expected to request Nokia to equip its phones with a network lock rather than a single Sim-lock. The operator source said: 'The network [lock] would do the job – keep it to the network and we still get the revenue.'

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content/3391.asp?men=&sub=1

[bsrjl1]

Hmm has BB5 been cracked in it's 18 months-no. Completer turn about from the DCT-3/4 platform where every man & his dog could unlock. Do they really need to do anything stronger? Without resorting to glue.... ;-)

[solo12002]

The end result will be users buying other mobile phones as in their view thay have paid for the mobile once their contracts end. Or in the case of PAYG when you buy the dam hand set!

[Hands0n]

This would certainly steer me away from Nokia - or at least Operator-supplied/subsidised Nokia. I'd be going SIM-free if that were to come about, if I were that desperate to have a specific Nokia.

The operators just won't learn - they make their money back during the life of the contract. After that the handset is the Customers and should be unlockable to use as the Customer see's fit. Anything less is completely unacceptable.

[solo12002]

" they make their money back during the life of the contract. After that the handset is the Customers and should be unlockable to use as the Customer see's fit. Anything less is completely unacceptable"

I fully agree. Once again we have lack of action by OFCOM in this respect, was this issue not raised a number of years ago.

Its time OFCOM stopped being in the pockets of the networks and started doing something for the users. FFS it took the EU to forced the networks in to looking at roaming charge, OFCOM cant even get thier fingers out of the networks pockets and look at cock up in respect of. X net call charges, or even roaming changes north and south of the Irish border