Random Hacking: Network Unlocking a Sony Ericsson w300i mobile phone
I recently got a new Walkman Sony Ericsson w300i for free when signing up for a new wireless account for work. This phone was going to be a 'throw away' as I had an Apple iPhone to use with this account.
I decided to replace my other wireless phone (Sony Ericsson T637) with the w300i- however, the w300i was locked to the carrier, and the old sim card wouldn't work, complaining about 'Insert Correct Smartchip'.
Funny enough, I was trying to use an AT&T sim card on an AT&T branded phone. The problem is I was previously a Cingular customer (before the AT&T assimilated them).
The choices were pretty much as follows:
1. Go to the AT&T wireless store and upgrade the old sim card/account to the new one (migration, the tech support person called it). This is more complicated than I cared for this phone.
2. Find someone of dubious character and methods to network unlock the w300i - maybe get scammed and no guarantees.
3. Let the phone sit in the drawer, new and unused - a shame/waste.
Defaulted to #3 for a while.
Today I called AT&T support and explained that I was going to Europe for a trip and wanted to get the unlock code. If you ask nicely and have been a good customer (longer than 6 months or even a year), my understanding is that they will give you the unlock code.
They will guide you through the process, but it goes like this:
Find out what the phone's IMEI is. The IMEI is the phone's unique id. It's usually on the back of the phone under the battery, but you can also find it out by dialing from the main menu the following:
*#06#
Typically the IMEI a 8+6+1+2 digit number like this:
27233302-791736-0-20
Once you give this number to the support representative they will come back with a 16 digit network unlock code like this:
458 213 467 170 3844
So my immediate question was 'What to do with this number?' The support person said that when you put the foreign SIM card it it will prompt you for the number. However, in my case that didn't happen. Instead my phone reported "Insert Correct Smartchip", and didn't really provide any additional menu options.
Google search found the following key sequence to bring up the hidden "Personalize" menu:
<**<
Where '<' means left on the navigation pad/joystick. My understanding is that this is Sony Ericsson specific.
Once in that menu, you will see a menu with the following options, and a small padlock icon that may or may not be unlocked:
-Network
-Network Subset
-SP
-Corporate
Select 'Network'. It will mention something about MNC, select the default.
Then you will get a prompt to enter a NCK number. Enter the network unlock code/number given above, and if all went ok, the phone will be unlocked.
If you don't have the right number, beware, I understand you can only try to enter the NCK number 4 times before the phone locks you out completely.
I'm now enjoying my new SE w300i, which is a nice upgrade from my SE T637i; specifically, mp3 ringtones, faster menu navigation, improved phone, and my favorite new feature is the video recording capability.
Hope this helps!
