I entered NUC incorrectly, now I can't use another SIM

[Bassbaboon]

Hi. I'm on holiday in Australia with my UK contract S7 phone. I bought an Australian Vodafone PAYG SIM to use in it. I got the NUC from completing the online form but I entered it wrong three or four times. Now I can't get another NUC.
How can I unlock my phone to use the Australian SIM?

Many thanks

[63johnw]

Hi, putting a non vodafone sim in normally opens a window for you to put the unlock code in (thats what happened with my Sony anyway).

[Amanda]

Hi @Bassbaboon

Thanks for getting back to us. 

To complete the unlock you need to pop in the other network SIM. This prompts the phone to display the next screen, where you can input the Network Unlock Code. 

If you need any further help, please just let us know. 

Thanks, 

[Bassbaboon]

I have done that, and carefully put in the correct NUC with the Aussie Vodafone SIM card, but it says ever time, "Network Unlock Request Unsuccessful"

I'm assured Aussie Vodafone is a completely different network from Vodafone UK, so it should work, but it doesn't.

Thanks

[Amanda]

Hi @Bassbaboon

My apologies about this. 

I've got some clarification about this. 

We're only able to complete the unlock outside of the UK, if you're using an Apple phone. This is because the unlock process is done via iTunes. 

If you're using any other phone, as you are, then you'd need to be on the Vodafone UK network to complete the process.  

Unfortunately this means we're not able to get your phone unlocked whilst you're in Australia. 

Thanks, 

[donnyguy]

How is that clarifcation correct?

The instructions tell the user to put in a non Vodafone UK into the phone to complete the unlock. 

So it won't be on the VF-UK network.

It sounds like there's a problem with the code. The original poster has already confirmed he's been able to unlock another Vodafone UK handset whilst in Australia.

[Jenny]

@donnyguy - As above, we can’t guarantee this will work when outside of the UK.

We’ve asked the original poster to contact us privately so we can look into everything further.

[donnyguy]

Hi Jenny,

As above (or per my previous post), a network unlock code is not done over the air so it doesn't require the handset to be connected to Vodafone UK. As per my previous post, it doesn't even require a VF-UK sim card to be in the phone.

There's no magic involved (for non-Apple devices anyway). It's done via a secret menu on the phone and what happens is, the network it is locked to requests a code from the manufacturer which is linked to the IMEI.

The end user then enters the code into the handset and it unlocks. That's what should happen.

If for any reason that doesn't then really the correct process would be to look into the issue and resolve it.

What I certainly wouldn't expect is for someone in the office to guess that it probably isn't working because they are outside the UK. That's a fob off and I as a customer wouldn't accept it.

I'm glad you've contacted the original poster and are going to try and resolve it but my advice to you would be, please don't get offended if your forum users question some of the more questionable advice given here. I would fully expect paying customers to call you out on it.

There are other threads on this forum relating to network unlock codes not working so the emphasis on this thread and all others should be resolution.

I wish all users affected by these issues all the luck in getting a resolution.

[Bassbaboon]

Hi again. I appreciate I'm at fault here by entering the wrong code in the first place. I asked for two unlock codes via the online form, first for my phone and then for my wife's. The codes came by email quicker than I expected. The first code I got turned out to be the second code I asked for. I put that in twice into my phone, thinking I had made a mistake the first time. Then I got the second email with the second code for my wife's phone, however that of course was the code for my phone. I guessed and put in the first code for my wife's phone, which unlocked straight away. When I tried the second code for my phone it didn't work. I kept the several customer service chat transcripts which show each network blaming the other. In the end I worked out it would be cheaper to buy a cheap Chinese phone on Aussie payg, which cost Aus$129.00. so I could keep in touch with everything without worrying about crippling data roaming charges. I don't like Apple products so will stay on Android, however this catch 22 with Vodafone needs to be rectified if I'm going to renew my three contracts with them. Happy holidays everyone, and thanks for all the input, which has been considerably better than VF customer services!

[ChazzD]

@Bassbaboon

If you've followed the instructions in the private message Amanda sent you previously, we'll be in touch as soon as we can to look into this further. 

If you'd like us to chase this up for you, please let us know your email reference number (#15xxxxx) from the automated response.

[Bassbaboon]

Hi. I followed Amanda's instructions but I think I'm in a no win situation.

I'm still waiting to hear back from VF, (Re: WRT165 [#15702440]) is the call reference.

Thanks again for helping. Reception is a bit intermittent out here in the Australian outback!