Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

Hey guys I have been lurking around the forums for a while now bus as you can see this is my first post and I only registered today.

I am really liking the N900 but I am not exactly liking the quite high price tag associated with it. It is possible for my father to get the N900 much cheaper as an upgrade through Vodafone Ireland but I am wondering then if the phone will be locked to their network?

If it is then is it possible to unlock it some way? Sorry if this is a totally stupid question or if it has been asked before but I would just like to get it straight before I take the plunge and steal my dad's upgrade.

Thanks for reading guys! :)

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

The N900 is an unlocked phone. I don't believe any carrier is selling the N900 under contracted conditions. The downside to that is you have to buy it outright.

The upside is you're not locked into any contracts. Put any sim card in it and it will work.

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

Excellent this is kinda what I though but I just wanted to be sure thanks so much for the quick reply :D

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

It is locked in some countries. I just read this thread, and it says that there is N900 locked to Vodafone.

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

No, it's not locked. It has a separate firmware, but nobody's seen any differences between that and the generic UK (or even the global) firmware. You can always reflash it with whichever firmware variant you want - there's absolutely no hardware/software locking to the carrier.

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

In that case, It's time to steal your Dad's upgrade :D - brigina

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

Confirmed. N900 is not locked to any network. Vodafone do not lock it either. I've used it on several UK and global networks.

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

To the VF shop I go today so after work! :D

Thanks for all the helpful replies guys

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

if u get it on vodafone from cpw then it will have the uk firmware rather than the vodafone one, that way you wont have to reflash or wait forever for firmware updates

Re: Does the N900 need to be unlocked from carriers
 

welcome to the N900 family ;)