Newbie question - Koodo and way to limit usage?

[hagbard]

Got my son a Galaxy II phone, and the $20/month Koodo plan (w/o data). We want to protect ourselves from his going over the $20/month or someone accessing the phone and running up a bill. Can this be done? Otherwise, we'll cancel and go pre-paid.

[audit13]

Since you don't have a data plan, make sure you call Koodo and at least block data on your account. You may be able to block long distance calls as well.

Put a security code for your sim and phone. This way, you need to know the sim before you can unlock the phone and sim.

Not sure that there is a way to limit yourself to $20/month unless Koodo offers this feature.

If he's not a talker, you might want to go with Speakout after unlocking the phone.

[hagbard]

He's not a talker but he isn't very careful either. My concern is his losing the phone and someone running up a bill, or his doing something he doesn't realize will bring additional charges. Going with Speakout is what I want to do be meeting resistance from my wife.

[audit13]

He's not a talker but he isn't very careful either. My concern is his losing the phone and someone running up a bill, or his doing something he doesn't realize will bring additional charges. Going with Speakout is what I want to do be meeting resistance from my wife.

I know exactly where you're coming from. Prepaid may be your best bet and Speakout is pretty good. They have a promo where you buy a $100 card, get a free phone and sim. If you activate before Dec 31, you get an additional $25 in air time. The airtime lasts for a year.

[theguyz]

Simple, put on prepaid and make them pay for usage! If the use more minutes , they realize they need to spend more $. If less they have budgetted themselves.

As for loosing phone, etc and overage, its the same if it happened to your phone.......crap happens.

[shushwap]

I have to agree with others... Get on prepaid... There are no woops I have a 100 bill this month

[hagbard]

I put the Speakout sim in it, it still said "loading Koodo" when starting up, and said "invalid sim card" so I guess its locked?

[audit13]

I put the Speakout sim in it, it still said "loading Koodo" when starting up, and said "invalid sim card" so I guess its locked?

It's locked. You could try the free unlocking method if you're willing to try it.

Here are two sets of instructions: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/rcss-...nlock-1268866/

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/rcss-...ck-1268866/12/

[hagbard]

We'll likely pay to unlock it, just reading the instructions has me confused. Reading from the link here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...menu+not+exist

has me thinking all I need to do was do this:

Click "DISMISS" on the Enter Unlock Code screen after the phone start up.

Wait a minute for the phone to power on and settle down.

Go to dailer screen. press *#197328640#.

press [1]DEBUG SCREEN
Press [8]PHONE CONTROL
Press [5] SIMULATION
Press [6] NETWORK LOCK
Press [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
Wait exactly 30 seconds
press the menu key on the phone and select back option. This will take you back to NETWORK LOCK screen.
Press [4] NW LOCK NV DATA INITIALLIZ
Wait exactly one minute and reboot the phone.
Should be unlocked.
I tried this on T-989 UVLE1 original ROM with root ON.
I haven't tested it on any other version or ROMs or any other phone.


But it sounds like I have to do something before that by reading your link. I don't want to do anything that would brick the phone.

BTW, on this site:

http://www.mobilexpresscanada.com/in...roducts_id=314

They list my phone, the T989D, but the model number isn't the same, there's is KOODOSAMSGS2X, Mine is KHSAMGLXYSIIX. Will their unlock key even work?

update: tried the above method, didn't work. BTW, Network Lock wasn't option 6 it was option 4. Tried it three times, didn't work. Tried it also with the Koodo sim in it still didn't work.

[hagbard]

Another thing, people keep talking about "radios". Do I have to change the "radio" to get it to work on Speakout? Even after buying an unlock code?

[shushwap]

The unlock is going to cost you $20.... There is no need to change anything to make it work on another provider.... Once unlocked the phone will work with all Canadian providers except public mobile...

[hagbard]

Kewl, but when I went to MobileXpress Canada it was $15. Waiting for my code.

[shushwap]

Kewl, but when I went to MobileXpress Canada it was $15. Waiting for my code.

Nice !!!!
I looked high and low last week for $15 unlock codes for that darn thing... I guess that is the one place I didnt look..

[audit13]

Kewl, but when I went to MobileXpress Canada it was $15. Waiting for my code.

Good price. I'm cheap so I used the free unlock method.

Your son will love the phone.

[hagbard]

Nice !!!!
I looked high and low last week for $15 unlock codes for that darn thing... I guess that is the one place I didnt look..

Who else offers it?