vodafone 340 purchased in UK - would like to use with Italian SIM

[amesclar]

Hi,

A few years ago a purchased a Vodafone 340 in the UK. It's GSM900/1800Mhz. Can I use it on an upcoming Italian trip by purchasing a Vodafone SIM in Italy?

Thank you.

[kids]

No. The device is locked to Vodafone UK.

You can complete the NUC form to apply for an unlock code using the link on the right of the page.

[amesclar]

Thank you for the response. 

Reviewing the unlock code request page indicates that the phone must be used in the UK. I'm currently a US resident. The phone was purchased in the UK a few years ago.

Can I conclude that I cannot use this phone in Italy because I will not have used it recently in the UK?

Thank you.

[kids]

@amesclar That may change things, but if you are the original owner and have proof then that usually suffices.

The best thing is to use Live Chat to clarify if that will be sufficient for them. They can also give you the email address of the NUC Resolutions team who can advise you.

Live Chat does not always work from abroad so you nay need to call CS to get NUC Resolutions email. If you download Skype and top up whatever the mimimun is in tbe USA you can call CS using that, it is a lot cheaper than the usual international call cost.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@amesclar wrote:

Thank you for the response. 

Reviewing the unlock code request page indicates that the phone must be used in the UK. I'm currently a US resident. The phone was purchased in the UK a few years ago.

Can I conclude that I cannot use this phone in Italy because I will not have used it recently in the UK?

Thank you.

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Hi

Yes it does. 

As I understand this it has to be used on the Vodafone Network making calls etc so that it's I'm either number latches to the Vodafone UK Payg or monthly contract. 

[Annie_N]

@amesclar If your phone was only used briefly in the UK 4 years ago, I'd doubt whether any trace of it would linger in the relevant parts of the system now, so you'd be looking at using it in the UK for a minimum of 30 days on a PAYG SIM before you could request an unlock.

Can the phone you use in the US be unlocked and used on European frequencies? Otherwise, I'd think you might consider buying an inexpensive new phone on arrival in Italy. If it's quad-band, and you can either buy it SIM-free or get it unlocked, you would also be able to use it as a back-up phone in the US.