[Gedankenaustausch] Großregions-SIM-Karten-Lock (z.Z. Samsung)

A few days ago we reported that the European Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is region locked. Later Gigaom reported that they had received a note from Samsung Germany that the Note 3 is region locked only until activation. Once the Note 3 has been activated in the European market on a European carrier the lock is removed and users can use the Note 3 without any restrictions.

Ukmobilereview also reported that they had got official word a Samsung spokesperson that the Note 3 is region locked until you activate it in the region. Once you activate it in that region the region lock is automatically removed.

“In order to provide customers with the optimal mobile experience in each region including customer care services, Samsung has incorporated the ‘regional SIM lock’ feature into Galaxy Note 3 devices. The product is only compatible with a SIM-card issued from a mobile operator within the region identified on the sticker of the product package. When the device is activated with a SIM card issued from the other region, the device may be automatically locked until it is released at the dedicated service centre.

Once a device is activated normally, the regional SIM lock is automatically released. Users can enjoy the roaming service as usual and can use other region’s SIM card when travelling. The regional SIM lock has been applied to the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S4 devices through a software update in selective markets. The regional SIM lock does NOT affect the device’s features and performance. Users can continue to enjoy all the advanced features of our products.”

Right Samsung? Nada, no , nopes that ain’t the truth peeps. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is infact region locked even after you activate it in that region. There are a lot of xda users who have tried popping in another sim and have got the unlock pin message. This, even after they activated the Note 3 in the region where they bought it.

Here a few posts from xda members who have tried it:-

i can confirm this. my with a german simcard activated european version does NOT work with a thai simcard. – original post

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. – original post

First I used a swedish sim, then a thai sim didn’t work (I was still in Sweden at that time), Used a swedish Sim some more. Then tried Thai sim again, didnt work. – original post

Hi,
I bought my Note 3 in UK and activate it normally with one of UK operators. I then travelled to Cairo, Egypt and when try to use a local sim card it didn’t work and keep say the you need to enter unlocked key.
What Samsung say about first activate with local EU sim and then lock will gone is not true and it is rubbish to force me to keep using the very expensive roaming service. – original post

It gets even murkier as there is a Russian website which is apparently somehow providing unlock codes for region locked Note 3′s. They are charging $25 for the unlock code.

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AFAIK even though the file can be modified and you can create a new csc file with the network lock lines removed you can’t flash the modified csc file from Odin as it needs to be signed by Samsung.

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