SIM restrictions on unlocked European Note3

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arjanr1973

Member
Mar 22, 2007
10
4
barokov said:
As I already mentioned here before, after about 10 days working with the proper European SIM card, my phone has unlocked itself. I do not know how many call one should make or data to use, but this is a fact!. I tested my Chinese SIM at the first day after receiving of MY GT-N9005 and it asked for unlock code. Now it working properly and NO any unlock code message. Even after the firmware update from yesterday it is still unlocked.

It is interesting for me if someone else has it's phone unlocked after a week or more usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have the same, works now for me. This was my orginal post

arjanr1973 said:
I have the same issue, my N9005 note 3 (local purchase in NL) works fine with KPN Netherlands bu tmy Thai (Tuemove) sim cards request me to enter a SIM Network unlock PIN. going back to KPN NL sim works fine.

Having called Samsung in the Netherlands have confirmed me that the phone is NOT going to work with SIMS from outside europe! I hope these guys are not yet properly informed :(


CSC: N9005PHNBMI2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse



But now I can use the Thai sim card, I'm currently in Tokyo. And I applied the samsung system update from last night.

I'm unclear if it is resolved because of:
- the system update
- the 10 days elapsed and my phone is not properly activated
- I requested samsung to unlock my phone (no response to that so far)
- I'm in Tokyio and not in Netherlands where I bought the phone.


still a puzzle but happy that I can use a sim thats on the blacklist now!

Arjan

btw did not root or apply unregion lock app
 
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midnite_blue

midnite_blue

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2013
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Seattle
Last edited:
D

dxzh

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2010
136
134
arjanr1973 said:
I have the same, works now for me. This was my orginal post

But now I can use the Thai sim card, I'm currently in Tokyo. And I applied the samsung system update from last night.
/
I'm unclear if it is resolved because of:
- the system update
- the 10 days elapsed and my phone is not properly activated
- I requested samsung to unlock my phone (no response to that so far)
- I'm in Tokyio and not in Netherlands where I bought the phone.
/
still a puzzle but happy that I can use a sim thats on the blacklist now!
/
btw did not root or apply unregion lock app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That is happy news for you. It would be useful to know from both you and barokov and josch2k if possible:

- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2?
- does the CSC (please look in system/csc/customer.xml file if you can) still contain list of NetworkLock fields including one for Thailand MCC (520) or China MCC (460)?
- the Thailand NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>.
- the China NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>.

This would help understand what might be the reason for the change in lock state following first use with SIM:

- whether it is a change in the regional NetworkLock list in the CSC but this seems less likely if change happened without OTA first OR

- a change in the (regional) lock state of the phone through some internal or external factor such as a code received from a Samsung server as part of "activation", whatever that means?
 
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Chainfire

Chainfire

Moderator Emeritus / Senior Recognized Developer
Oct 2, 2007
11,452
87,862
www.chainfire.eu
dxzh said:
- if you root immediately and remove bloatware might your phone not be able to connect with Samsung server and not therefore be able to be regionally unlocked automatically even if you use correct SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This is a good question. In RegionLock Away I've located some Samsung code that updates the radio blacklist. However, I've not been able to find any other place that actually *calls* this code so far, which is pretty strange. It may well be that the radio itself keeps track and counts calls/towers/etc itself and then unlocks after a certain count ?

As I can activate the region lock at will on my device, I could possibly test this... I'd need another SIM from a different carrier than my own though. I'll be travelling until Monday but maybe this is something I can test and figure out by trial and error when I'm back ...
 
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A

arjanr1973

Member
Mar 22, 2007
10
4
dxzh said:
That is happy news for you. It would be useful to know from both you and barokov and josch2k if possible:

- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2?
- does the CSC (please look in system/csc/customer.xml file if you can) still contain list of NetworkLock fields including one for Thailand MCC (512) or China MCC (460)?
- the Thailand NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>.
- the China NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>.

This would help understand what might be the reason for the change in lock state following first use with SIM:

- whether it is a change in the regional NetworkLock list in the CSC but this seems less likely if change happened without OTA first OR

- a change in the (regional) lock state of the phone through some internal or external factor such as a code received from a Samsung server as part of "activation", whatever that means?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2?
YES

- does the CSC (please look in system/csc/customer.xml file if you can) still contain list of NetworkLock fields including one for Thailand MCC (512) or China MCC (460)?

YES still contain networklock fields including the Thainland and China (520 and 460) not 512 but that was a typo from you I think

- the Thailand NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>.
- the China NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>.
 
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josch2k

Member
Sep 30, 2013
6
5
dxzh said:
That is happy news for you. It would be useful to know from both you and barokov and josch2k if possible:

- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2?
- does the CSC (please look in system/csc/customer.xml file if you can) still contain list of NetworkLock fields including one for Thailand MCC (512) or China MCC (460)?
- the Thailand NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>.
- the China NetworkLock field in CSC file might look like: <NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>.

This would help understand what might be the reason for the change in lock state following first use with SIM:

- whether it is a change in the regional NetworkLock list in the CSC but this seems less likely if change happened without OTA first OR

- a change in the (regional) lock state of the phone through some internal or external factor such as a code received from a Samsung server as part of "activation", whatever that means?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


dxzh said:
- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- No, CSC is N9005DBTBMJ1

- does the CSC (please look in system/csc/customer.xml file if you can) still contain list of NetworkLock fields including one for Thailand MCC (512) or China MCC (460)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes, customer.xml still contains both entries. As well as the other 61 (or so)

how many calls were made with original SIM, and how long as original SIM been in the phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Phonte was activated at 2.10.
- Since that time I made about 30 calls.
 
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bubblesmoney

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2010
554
139
clove has updated the post with the puman.ru unlocking that it has worked for their contact in thailand. http://blog.clove.co.uk/2013/09/25/samsung-galaxy-note-3-sim-limitations/

"Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – SIM limitations

Update 09/10/13

How to use puman.ru to unlock the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (or any other handset)

Disclaimer: Whilst we can report that the following method for unlocking the Galaxy Note 3 is successful, it is not an activity endorsed by Clove and we will not be held responsible for any implications that it may have on your handset’s warranty."

But I fail to understand how unlocking the phone via puman.ru can affect the warranty? If it affected the warranty then why would anyone use that website as they could root and be done with it if they loose the warranty anyway.

Am considering buying this phone since there are options to remove lock provided dont lose the warranty. Like the specs but hate the lock business.
 
S

selimaky

Member
Oct 5, 2013
5
7
Hi, I just received my Note3 from Amazon.de, and activated by my German SIM card. I have done all the updates, and i make several calls totally lasting 1 hour. And when i insert my Turkish SIM Card, i got the SIM Card error, requesting an unlock code. The problem continues...
 
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MoonProject

Member
Mar 12, 2007
48
16
bubblesmoney said:
.... If they want to reap the benefits of importing their products and selling it in the EU or elsewhere after manufacturing them elsewhere taking into account the benefits of lower wages elsewhere and currency fluctuations benefitting them, then the same free trade should be available to consumers in all countries. They should be free to buy their devices from anywhere they choose without artificial restrictions placed by samsung affecting free trade. After all even if i buy the device from elsewhere I will be paying full market price for the product and not some fake product and i will also be paying the shipping charges and import customs duty and VAT. So who the f*** are samsung to tell me what i cant legally buy and import into the UK. This in my opinon is gross violation of free trade laws and WTO agreements. Individual countries regulators and finance ministries should penalise samsung for forcing people visiting other countries to use roaming sims and block local sims. They are forcing tourists visiting popular tourist destinations from using local sims and use costlier roaming. Finance and trade ministries in countries affected by block lists in samsung firmware should take action against samsung for forcing tourists not to use the affected countries sim in favour of roaming international sims. Since countries like India (and 60+ other countries) is in the block list of EU phones (countries) and all these countries have signed up to free trade agreements via WTO, i feel this is a gross violation favouring network operators in some regions to the detriment of others. I hope people fromaffected regions living in other countries raise the issue with their respective governments to take action against samsung for putting their countries on block lists. Please send copy of message to the same countries opposition leaders as well so that there is more questions asked in parliaments of those countries and action is taken hopefully forcing samsung who have a leading market share to remove these region locks.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hello all,
this is the perfect argument!!! It is money, which the local countries are not getting by taxes, because SAMSUNG IS PUTTING AN ILLEGAL RESTRICTION on their devices. If Samsung would produce in a certain region, then there are working places, taxes, etc., then they could have a right to put a simlock. Since Samsung is not producing phones for example in EU, but importing them, they do not pay taxes in EU, nor create here working places. They have no right to put a simlock in EU.

We should start an action with the EU-parliament and the EU-Commission to forbid Samsung those practices in EU (at least here). And the same could do the people in other regions with their politicians. We shall not accept a simlock by any phone manufaturer as long as they do not contribute to create working places or pay taxes in that region! And even then, we can discuss it!

Best regards,
Moon
 
J

josch2k

Member
Sep 30, 2013
6
5
selimaky said:
Hi, I just received my Note3 from Amazon.de, and activated by my German SIM card. I have done all the updates, and i make several calls totally lasting 1 hour. And when i insert my Turkish SIM Card, i got the SIM Card error, requesting an unlock code. The problem continues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Can you continue using your device and try it in some days again?
 
D

dxzh

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2010
136
134
selimaky said:
Yes, i live in Germany and that is the simcard i am using in daily life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Any suggestion that it is the user's fault because they have not used the phone long enough or not waited long enough would be absolutely wrong on the part of Samsung or anyone else. Samsung say put home region SIM into phone to activate - they do not say you have to put into phone AND then: make [30] calls; make [10] hours of calls; or wait a week; or have a data connection. Indeed, some users are lucky enough to be able to use out of region SIMs seemingly immediately suggesting there is something more going on here that Samsung Global is deliberately not explaining in terms of what they call "activation".

Selimaky, a few questions given there is some suggestion that there may be a hidden requirement in the "activation" process for the phone to silently contact a Samsung server (which I guess not all SIMs may be as capable of doing):

- is your SIM for phone/SMS use only with no data?
- does it have any international calling restrictions?
- have you used your phone to connect to a wifi network yet?

If Samsung is using the phone to contact its own servers without user consent and pass on any data concerning the phone, then there is quite possibly a data protection law breach by Samsung to consider here as well. Germany is usually quite protective about this sort of phishing for data. Incredibly, there is still no clear statement from Samsung on this point or indeed on what those who upgrade their existing SGS3s and Note 2s are meant to expect from the inclusion of the regional lock.
 
D

drayman20

New member
Oct 10, 2013
4
0
I am from france. i bought the galaxy note 3 from DARTY-France (Hi-Tech) unlocked they said (despite the famous sticker of eurpean lock)

i activated the telephone last thursday 3-10-2013 on FREE network in france and never the sim card was never removed since
I have my sim card from saudi arabia (STC) working properly in roaming mode on another phone. i use my saudi sim on 4G network in saudi arabia when i go for vacation each year


After reading this topic i am afraid of trying to put the saudi sim card in my note 3 EU

so i will wait until day 14 after the first activation i.e. wednesday 16-10-2013 then i will try to put my saudi sim card in my Galaxy Note 3

i will keep you updated
 
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    D
    dovid
    iakovl said:
    give me a N3 and we will see...

    i don't get what all the fuss is about, people in israel keep getting USA phones that are locked and just unlock them to sim free
    no one ever said a thing about it, USA cellphone is locked to a single operator is OK for every one
    now samsung made it locked to all EU operators but did the mistake and called it "unlocked" and not "eu unlocked" or "eu locked" big deal

    i unlocked USA phones and will unlock EU phones, the earth still goes on.... no one died


    why?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    The reason people are nervous is straightforward:

    1) The phones claim to be "Unlocked' - they are not.

    2) There is no evidence that traditional unlock methods will work -
    a) I have discussed this with my source for unlocking phones by code - he unlocks about 100,000 phones a year, and has access to all the databases. He has never heard of such a thing, and is not confident that codes will be available.
    b) Software solutions may or may not be available. Even so, not everybody is technical enough (or wants) to start butchering their phones. Further, we have customers who need these phones unlocked for network-testing purposes. They are aware of the software-unlock methods and do not want that as they claim it messes with the phone's firmware.

    3) No one was informed of this before they purchased the device. Even the largest distributors (10s of thousands of phones - not retailers) only found out about it today.and have no answers

    This is totally different than just purchasing an AT&T phone from the USA and getting it unlocked in Israel. Everybody knows how to do it and where to get it done. However, nobody knows how to do this phone, or if it even can be unlocked as this is a new type of lock that nobody yet understands or has successfully unlocked.

    We also have these phone on our website, and we had to call each one of our customers that pre-ordered and explain the situation. Some didn't mind, and some were really pissed off and cancelled the orders.

    I hope you are correct, and we can all pay our $20.00 and get the code. However, that remains to be seen.

    And, on an OEM, carrier-unbranded device that can cost $900, and claims to be "factory unlocked" but is not, it is just bad business IMHO.


    Dovid Feldman
    On The Go Solutions, Inc
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    16
    Chainfire
    Chainfire
    From my Twitter ...

    Aaaaand.... I just region unlocked my Note 3. FU Samsung.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    ( I locked out my current carrier, tested I could no longer make phone calls, then unlocked it again, et voila )
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    I need a tester (with root) who has a SIM card that isn't working in his or her Note3. For verification. Then, app incoming.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    'nuff said !
    View
    15
    Chainfire
    Chainfire
    There'll be an app release soon enough.

    If you don't want root for other reasons, it is indeed unfortunate you currently need it for this. Rooting (via CF-Auto-Root) does void KNOX warranty (irreversable), however, if you use the unroot option in SuperSU, and flash back a stock kernel and recovery, OTAs will work again. Note that it is possible to root without tripping KNOX warranty using a customized system partition, I'm sure someone has made or will make one sooner or later.

    It is theoretically feasable to do this without root, but a lot tougher to make and maintain, with the information I currently have. I'm certain there is a way to improve this, I just haven't found it yet - and as I'm a full on root user, I doubt I will spend more time looking for it.
    View
    14
    htc6500uk
    htc6500uk
    Latest News - Oct 9th 2013 - Clove, who specialise in sim-free/unlocked phones have suggested
    that the Russian unlocking service at:
    http://puman.ru/?selectlanguage=English
    may be a solution for those concerned about the regional lock.
    More info in the Clove blog at:
    http://blog.clove.co.uk/2013/09/25/samsung-galaxy-note-3-sim-limitations/

    Whether or not the Note 3 Verizon (US) "Developer Edition" will be regionally locked remains to be seen,
    At least the bootloader will, according to reports, be unlocked.
    More skimpy details at the Samsung/Verizon page at: http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-N900VMKEVZW

    More Recent News - Oct 6th 2013 - Chainfire appears to have created an app to
    get round region locking for the Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (MI7 firmware) and rooted
    You can buy Chainfire a beer (£1.99) by downloading the app from the Play Store at:
    http://pkg.to/eu.chainfire.regionlockaway
    There is also a thread started by Chainfire at: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=46187852 where meanies(!) can download it free.


    Recent News (01:30 Oct 3rd 2013)
    Android Authority: Galaxy Note 3 region lock is an issue after all, Android 4.4 update may lock older Galaxy handsets http://goo.gl/KjgVwc


    Previous news (1st Oct 2013)

    A significant number of users still claim they can't use "out of region" sims despite having first used a sim for the region the Note 3 was intended for which is the way Samsung have said is the way to 'unlock' the regional sim lock.

    A number of users in this thread who found their Note3 was still region locked despite following the Samsung advice have successfully unlocked their Note3 regional lock using a Russian unlocking web site at http://puman.ru/ Although I am the OP of this thread, I do not have an out of region Sim to test this out myself - so no guarantees but read the posts!

    Pics say it all. The Note 3 "unlocked" models are still locked to regions like DVD's and thus not very attractive to globetrotters or international purchasers who are being asked to pay £600 or so for a crippled device.
    u5abydaz.jpg

    qe3atyge.jpg
    9uja6y5e.jpg
    View
    13
    D
    dxzh
    Health warning: the message below is worrying.

    I spoke yet again to the Samsung UK customer service team (+44 330 726 7864) this afternoon (at 5:40pm GMT) as I had not received the email I had been promised this morning with a statement on the region lock. A different rep spoke to me and had the following news to report to me:

    - the Samsung UK telephone staff have had problems sending out emails today and therefore have not sent out the statement to me - which was fine by me as these things happen.

    - the SIM limitation sticker really is meant to mean what it says - the N9005 is not meant to be compatible with SIMs issued by operators outside the European region - I believe at least some owners are using the Note 3 with SIMs issued by operators outside the EU but the rep was adamant that the Note 3 was not intended by Samsung to be used with SIMs issued by operators outside of the European region, even following first activation.

    - the European region Note 3s are only meant to be compatible with SIMs issued by operators from the European region, and this applies equally after activation - I asked repeatedly her to confirm this which she did each time. I tried practical examples too and it got worse: So if I go to Australia I must use a European region SIM in my Note 3 even if I buy the Note 3 SIM-free for £620? Yes according to the rep. So I asked if I go to Florida on vacation, I have no choice but to use a European region SIM in my Note 3? Yes again according to rep.

    - it makes no difference if here in the UK I buy the Note 3 from Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4U, EE or Clove.

    - I could buy another phone if I wanted to use a SIM from an operator outside the EU in my mobile - the rep volunteered this to me as it never occurred to me that they might seriously suggest such a policy.

    - the rollout of Kitkat is to extend the regional lock to existing SGS3s and Note 2s - I asked if my existing unlocked SGS3 bought unlocked over a year ago is to be subject to the same regional lock if I upgrade. Yes according to rep. So I would not be able to use a SIM from outside the European region in it when travelling? Yes according to the rep.

    - no statement can be sent in an email to me by the Samsung UK telephone team to confirm this in writing.

    - I can email uk.help@samsung.com with any questions but it might take up to 24 hours to respond. When I pointed out to the rep that I had already done just this, emailing uk.help@samsung.com on Friday evening (27th) and not had a response in over 50 hours (including after checking my spam folder), I was told that sometimes the email team are very busy and she could not say for sure when I would receive a response to any question.

    I have asked to get a call back from the Tier 2 rep who I spoke to on Friday (27th) but in the meanwhile I can only stand gobsmacked by the apparent madness of this corporate policy. For example:

    - Samsung cannot even implement a draconian region lock policy (if that is what they really intend) properly and consistently - given that some European Note 3s with the European regional lock sticker are reported to be being activated and then successfully used outside the home region with SIMs issued by operators outside the home region - while others are able to activate with home region SIM but not then able to use out of region SIMs when travelling.

    - Samsung (whether through its local offices, PR companies or employees) can brief against itself so that some Samsung offices will say one thing and others possibly within the same office, something completely different, on the same day, and day after day.

    - the utter, utter lack of leadership from Samsung Global (Electronics) to coordinate and communicate their own policy (whether that policy is good or bad is almost irrelevant) clearly, consistently and transparently - or to communicate it at all.

    - complete confusion among retailers, and among Samsung reps talking to retailers, here in the UK as to Samsung's region lock policy, to the extent they are even aware in the first place of the region lock policy and how it operates - which, from first hand exerience, I can say many are not.
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