No unlock code for Lumia 900

[JFizDaWiz]

Or customers could ask up front before buying the phone

[SimonPeppercorn]

Back in March, I purchased the Lumia 900 outright, from a Microsoft Store in LA.

Now I have returned home to Australia, I need to unlock the phone so I can use it on a local network. However, the phone may as well be an expensive paperweight. The Microsoft store understandably, wont accept a return, since the phone is now 'used'. The saleperson simply stated that since I am not in a contract with AT&T, having purcahsed the phone outright, that AT&T would issue an unlock code upon request.  There was NO suggestion at the time of purchase that AT&T would play hardball with an unlock code.

Can anyone please give me some advice on what I should do? I couldn't be more dissapointed in AT&T's stance on this.

[p3dboard]

I just purchased a Nokia Lumia 900 AT&T branded phone on eBay, assuming I could get an unlock code, as I live in Australia. But after doing some research, it looks like October the 8th 2012 is when unlock codes will become available.

Why are AT&T being so picky on providing people who have bought phones outright with unlock codes?

[McHale72]

It's an "exclusive" so AT&T won't unlock it until the phone is no longer exclusive or a top seller.  I believe there are 3rd parties that will unlock it for a price.  You may want to check ebay.

-Mc

[21stNow]

None of the normal third parties have been successful with the unlock codes for the Lumia. There's a thread with close to 1,000 posts on XDA about this.

[qifei]

me too

[hthukral]

i ran into the same problem and ATT refuse to unlock the phone. When I bought the phone from ATT store, the salesman assured me that as far as my account is in good standing i will be able to unlock the phone after 1 month.

Seems like ATT stores salesman will lie or deceit as to sell the phones and when you actually call after 1 month; you can't even return the phone.

I wish there was a legal way to sort this problem out.

[McHale72]

I don't think he lied.  I think he was simply wrong.  Everytime I go to an AT&T store I receieve bad information.  Most of the time it's because they have no idea what I'm talking about.  Very rarely is it a lie.

[maxas13]

Hi, I bought on eBay Lumia Nokia 900, but it is locked AT & T. Is it possible to get the unlock code? I live in Lithuania, and I never had a contract with AT & T. Phone IMEI: [edited for privacy – please do not post personal information]  Many thanks.

[SimonPeppercorn]

There is no logical reason why AT&T would be being so stubborn on this. I understand the policy of locking a phone whilst the user is under a contract and the cost of the handset is yet to be recouped - however, what possible value is there for AT&T to refuse to allow someone who has paid for the phone in full, in other words, no contract, from actually being able to use that phone any where in the world?

In fact, the only outcome for AT&T is a growing number of very hostile people jumping on Facebook, twitter, and dozens of online forums across many countries to complain about AT&T and their uncaring attitudes. People who are victims of this stupid policy, having wasted their money on a phone that is now unuseable as a direct result of AT&T's 'tough luck' attitude. AT&T could resolve this, yet steadfastly refuse to do so, or even offer anything resembling a solution. AT&T should not underestimate what is happening and the rising tide of anger towards them.

I have tried dealing with Customer Support via live chat, no resolution. I asked to lodge a formal complaint - but the rep refused to tell me how to do that. They just kept saying "return it to the place of purchase." Great. I am in Sydney Australia. I'll just pay thousands of dollars to fly back to California, on the off chance that I will be allowed to return a used product to a disinterested and poorly informed customer service rep.

Telcommunications service providers in Australia don't play these games. These shenanigans are against consumer law in this country.

Seriously, AT&T - this is terrible. Are you even listening?

[mcseprofession]

Try contacting the FCC.. They seem to help out alot of people that have problems with carriers..

FCC Complaints

[kbi911]

hello jamileh

Same issue with me. After purchase i came to my country (full price off contract purchase of lumia 900 at&t)  - happily openned it to put local sim card...asking for unlock code!

Get back and surf a bit a to realized i am a victim! - i can not use this nor can i retrun as it is now open item. Who should i contact at att to help me have unlock code or some way or resolution or retruning back of device?

Its kind of ripped off!

[dzsudzsak]

I would contact my credit card company and file a dispute for fraud to get my money back. Credit card companies have little tolerance for that kind of stuff.

[tfilth59]

2 things you need to do

1.  File a complaint with the FCC~~~>category "Wireless carrier" as I did.

  --Thankyou mcseprofession

2.  Take the At&t survey and tell At&t how they can "improve" their service.

In order to be heard, you got to make some noise.

[kbi911]

thanks for update, i did the same.

[andrea_francoli…]

if this is the consideration AT&T has versus professionals and their business I wouldn't be surprised to discover they fail their mid-term revenues expectations ... this attitude is the right to get every high level customer p. off (exactly those you shouldn’t expect to ruin relation with). If they don't provide a solution right now to get those phones working freely WW for my company i'll be then more than please to adopt a different service providers. (there’s plenty much more willing to provide better services for professionals)

never heard before of such a closed minded approach (or should i have to consider this as a perfect strategy approach to ruin the Windows Mobile solution ?)

[swahid]

I bought 2 of these and still waiting for the code, but I am pretty sure no one paid full price for this phone. The NOKIA price for this phone is $499.00 +Tax. When you buy this from AT&T, you pay $99.00 +Tax. Now, AT&T has full rights to keep you on the contract at least for 13months because they are the ones paying for the difference in price. If you buy it from AT&T and then take it somewhere else and don't pay AT&T a penny more, They ARE losing money and will not give away the code. Now, if you bought it from a private party for more than $99.00, YES, you are a victim, but AT&T doesn't have anything to do with it. The seller just ripped you off.

[morete]

The problem is not with Nokia.  The problem is with AT&T and Microsoft.  AT&T and Microsoft only want their flagship phones to be used on one carrier and that is, and always will be AT&T (no collusion there /s).  In the coming months, other carriers will have WP8 models but will not be Nokia's flagship phones.  They will be Nokia's second-rate smartphones.  And that's exactly why Big Red, Magenta and Yellow are not crazy about Windows Phone since they will not be allowed to sell Nokia's flagship. 

The frequency bands that the 900's radio are built to operate on are;

 GSM 1900
 GSM 850
 GSM 900
 GSM 1800
 WCDMA Band V 850
 WCDMA Band II 1900
 WCDMA Band I 2100
 LTE Band 17 (700)
 LTE Band 4 (1700/2100)

Check the other carriers and most will not have these frequencies.  Microsoft and AT&T did this on purpose so that even when unlocked, you won't be able to switch carriers.   Yes, I hear that some have been able to use their Lumia 900 on one or two 3G carriers, but is having 3G or even 2G speeds the reason you bought this phone?

Have fun trying to get any government agency to help the consumer when government agencies are bought and paid for by colluding corporate predators and oligopolists.

[21stNow]

---

swahid wrote:

I bought 2 of these and still waiting for the code, but I am pretty sure no one paid full price for this phone. The NOKIA price for this phone is $499.00 +Tax. When you buy this from AT&T, you pay $99.00 +Tax. Now, AT&T has full rights to keep you on the contract at least for 13months because they are the ones paying for the difference in price. If you buy it from AT&T and then take it somewhere else and don't pay AT&T a penny more, They ARE losing money and will not give away the code. Now, if you bought it from a private party for more than $99.00, YES, you are a victim, but AT&T doesn't have anything to do with it. The seller just ripped you off.

---

I wouldn't be so sure about who paid which price for the phone.  I paid $449 plus tax for the phone for the no-commitment price from AT&T.  I never saw a price of $499 on this phone from AT&T (Best Buy and others may have had that price).  Surely, you aren't suggesting that AT&T ripped me off.  ; )

[ranron]

At this point, I've given up on getting the phone unlocked. I've been told the Lumia 900 hasn't really be selling as well as Nokia and Microsoft hoped. I'm not surprised at all given these shenanigans. And the Lumia 900 will be stuck on Windows Phone 7.x forever. 

I bought a Galaxy S III while traveling abroad. It's unlocked off the bat. Even though I've spoken quite highly of Windows Phone 7, I can't really recommend it to anyone else.

I think AT&T needs to understand that people who buy the phones no-commitment are usually in for the flexibility and don't want to deal with the annoyances that we are dealing with in this case.

---

JFizDaWiz wrote:
Or customers could ask up front before buying the phone

---

I did ask up front. I was told it would no problem. I've bought many things from AT&T off-contract. This is the only device I've had trouble getting unlocked.

[beto_solano]

I bought a Nokia Lumia 900 and I need the Unlock code to use with Mexican Carrier, Can anybody please help me?

I cannot use the phone and I really like it.

thanks!

[wilcre ACE - Expert]

did you buy the phone from AT&T at full retail cost or did you get it somewhere else.

[beto_solano]

bought it on Ebay for $299.00 USD

I think it was an AT&T Reseller.

[andronoff]

Hello, please help me to unlock your phone Nokia Lumia 900. I bought this telephone for my daughter in July on Ebay for 380$ without the contract with AT&T. Tell to me, please, when and where will I be able to get or buy unlock code.Thanks.

[imaobong]

I  bought the nokia 900 from AT&t since august and they told me that the code will be available in september only for me to call them today and they are telling me a different story, that the code will be available on october ending. this is getting so frustrating , i think i will just return the phone to them. i cant keep a phone that i cant use.

[bobbywks]

I just got my lumia 900 from AT&T unlocked from unlockcellphonecode.com

Talk to Jason he will hook you up!!!

P.S. it may take some time but he will get it done.

[21stNow]

Wilcre, why did you ask where he got it from? Does it make a difference? I'm asking because I got mine from AT&T for full price and they won't unlock it. :-(

[wilcre ACE - Expert]

if bought from AT&T directly at full retail then they should provide the code with proof of purchase, and the same is true if bought from the manufacturer as well, if bought from somewhere else then they may not provide the code at all (due to lack of purchase confirmation).

[21stNow]

Is this something new?  I bought the phone from AT&T and the rep already knew that I paid full-price for it when I called some months ago.  I'll call again tomorrow to see what they say.

[HaribabuGorle]

Hi guys, I heard from many guys that October 8th will be the release date for unlocks. Before I purchase I enquired ATT with my IEMI & representative told me that Oct 8th I can unlock, I can go ahead & purchase. After the purchase I called 4 times each time I heard different story. One say I shd take contract, other say they may unlock after Oct, other say it is not unlockable, other say call & check after Oct but now they are not sure if it can be unlocked. So out of 5 representatives only 2 were saying on Oct8th it is unlockable. One month return policy is there for me till Oct 12th.

Guys can you please check again if October 8th is true.