[Q] Unlocking SIM CARD - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Hello XDA,
I am thinking of getting a xperia Z Ultra from a friend in the UK. I was wondering if there is any known way to unlock the SIM CARD since I'd get it shipped here ( Portugal ).
Any info is very appreciated!
Thanks,
Marco

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I don't understand what you mean by unlocking the simple card. Sim cards aren't locked in the UK, but phones and 3g tablets are sometimes network locked. The phone may need to be unlocked to use on your network, depending on where your UK based friend buys it from. If they buy it from a network store, eg 3, Vodafone, etc it will probably be locked to that network. If they buy it from Carphone Warehouse or from an online third party company it will almost certainly be unlocked ready to use on any network. Please note that the ultra uses a micro sim, so if your current phone takes a mini simple (standard sized sim) you will have to get it cut, or ask your network to exchange it for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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ursulavasey said:
I don't understand what you mean by unlocking the simple card. Sim cards aren't locked in the UK, but phones and 3g tablets are sometimes network locked. The phone may need to be unlocked to use on your network, depending on where your UK based friend buys it from. If they buy it from a network store, eg 3, Vodafone, etc it will probably be locked to that network. If they buy it from Carphone Warehouse or from an online third party company it will almost certainly be unlocked ready to use on any network. Please note that the ultra uses a micro sim, so if your current phone takes a mini simple (standard sized sim) you will have to get it cut, or ask your network to exchange it for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough. I meant if there is a way to unlock the network on the phone ( meaning, that I can use any sim card from any operator on the market )

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MarcoFSilva said:
Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough. I meant if there is a way to unlock the network on the phone ( meaning, that I can use any sim card from any operator on the market )
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My apologies, I put simple card, instead of sim card. I am from the UK, and if the phone is purchased from a store here called Carphone Warehouse, it will be sim free, which means it is unlocked to any network when it is bought. It will not need to be unlocked, as it will have never been locked to a network in the first place. You should be able to simply put in your Portuguese sim card, and use the phone as soon as it arrives. If your friend buys it from a network store; for example they buy it at a 3 store, a Vodafone store, etc, it will be locked to the network on which it is purchased, and will need to be unlocked, for a fee. I have the same phone, which I purchased online, and it is sim-free. If I had purchased it from Carphone Warehouse, it would also have been sim free.
Sim free means it was never locked to a network from the date of manufacture.
Unlocked means it was network locked originally, and could only be used on the network it was locked to at that time. At some point it was unlocked, whether for free or for a charge, and now works on all networks.
Network locked means it was network locked originally, and is still network locked now. This means that it will only work on the network it is locked to, unless it is unlocked at a later date.
Almost all phones sold in Carphone Warehouse are sold as unlocked, except for those which are advertised as being on 3 network. These are network locked to 3, and can only be unlocked by 3, for a fee of around £15. (UK pounds, not Euros).
There are companies online that sell unlocked handsets, but if your friend is buying in store, they would be best going to Carphone Warehouse, as there will be no need for them, or you, to get the phone unlocked.
I hope this helps to clarify things for you.