yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy Note 3 General] barokov:
It is really unlocked after 10 days of use.

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?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] wetsleet:
Region locking drives up the costs to consumer by interfering with the free market in two ways:

1) It relieves price pressure on domestic carriers' roaming tariffs by removing competition from local carriers abroad

2) it relieves price pressure on Samsung's mobile prices by removing competition from other regions (so called "grey" market)

Many users will never use a foreign sim (I never have) so might not be concerned about point 1. However we all pay the price for the device, and even if we don't personally buy a grey import, that element of price competition is still a real benefit to all customers.

If your experience is indicative of Samsung's final position then we have overcome point 1, but not point 2. Indeed this position seems particularly directed at point 2, since the time element will be especially difficult for unofficial importers to sidestep. They would have to 'quarantine' their stock for the required peiod and make the necessary number of calls etc before fulfilling orders.

Fortunately there are some jurisdictions which outlaw the region-locking practice - we can hope that enterprising importers will reconfigure their supply chain to take advantge.

Meanwhile Amazon UK's rating for the Note 3 remains stuck at 2 stars after 37 reviews! And they have further tightened their product title removing all reference to "sim free" - it is now listed simply as "Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Region Locked Smartphone - Black", with the first line of the product description, "Only compatible with SIM-cards issued from Mobile Operators within UK and Europe". Keep up the pressssure.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] MikusR2D2:
According to what Murtazin said in his podcast (in russian), it should take no less than one and no more than three days for phone to unlock (it needs to contact Samsung servers)
[Galaxy Note 3 General] josch2k:
I also have to confirm that after using my Region Locked EU-Note 3 since 2. Oct. I can use my Thai SIM without region lock.

For the first time i was trying to use the Thai SIM I got the region lock message.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dbain:
WOW... I'm sure that they haven't realized that this will hurt their bottom line, especially if this regional SIM Lock is implemented on newer phones, like the S4 and upcoming S5.

I think I am a perfect example; I live in Barbados and I bought an unlocked S3 from a local retailer a couple of weeks ago, which appears to have been manufactured in Vietnam. I'm not sure what region it was intended for, but according to what you've said here, if I upgrade to 4.4 when it's released, I'm almost 100% sure that I will no longer be able to use it!

I suppose my only recourse would be to root it and install a different ROM... So much for the warranty!

Absolutely ridiculous!
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
Data link to Samsung necessary to unlock phone?

If this connection to Samsung server is a necessary condition for release of regional lock, do you have to:

- have a mobile data connection (if so should they say this)?

- not rely on wifi for phone to gain internet access to Samsung server?

- log-on to Samsung website using mobile perhaps to ensure it connects to Samsung server?

- have to let phone

surreptitiously

phone back to Samsung to release the regional lock?

- 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?

- how can I tell when mobile is able to accept SIMs free of any regional lock?

How would this work when upgrading my SGS 3 - perhaps advise not to upgrade while studying, working or travelling outside home region?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] samisi:
German amazon lists a total of 209 ratings for the Note 3.

61 are 5 stars but

125 are 1 star ratings

I cannot quote as a newbie, but I´ll try:

amazon. de /Samsung-Smartphone-Touchscreen-Megapixel-Android/dp/B00F07WTLG/ref=cm_rdp_product

(please, remove spaces before and after de)

The most famous newspaper for IT in Germany, c't from Heise online, inform their readers frequently about the Netlock.

heise. de /newsticker/meldung/Samsungs-Region-Lock-bei-Smartphones-Zwischenstand-und-Hack-1973110.html
[Galaxy Note 3 General] avenging:
this is after ota update?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] bubblesmoney:
thanks for the update, i was looking at the german amazon a while back as was interested in the price difference. i have bought phones from amazon.de previously (the samsung galaxy note) as they were cheaper than the UK by about 80£ in the past with the same EU warranty.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] josch2k:
No, I tried it before today's OTA Update-> Thai SIM (dtac) worked.

Installed OTA Update right now -> Thai SIM is still working.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] arjanr1973:
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!

Arjan

btw did not root or apply unregion lock app
[Galaxy Note 3 General] midnite_blue:
(bumping this)
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Netskyliner:
I live in France. First Bouygues Telecom phomes are full unlocked. No region lock included. Checked MCC no lock list. PDA XXUBMI7 CSC BOGBMI3. Could this help?

Envoyé de mon SM-N9005 en utilisant Tapatalk now Free
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
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?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Chainfire:
Also: how many calls were made with original SIM, and how long as original SIM been in the phone ?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Chainfire:
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 ...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] arjanr1973:
- 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>.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] josch2k:
- No, CSC is N9005DBTBMJ1

- Yes, customer.xml still contains both entries. As well as the other 61 (or so)

- Phonte was activated at 2.10.

- Since that time I made about 30 calls.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] bubblesmoney:
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.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Netskyliner:
Off topic. I've got only 2,38 GB of RAM. Is it normal as it supposed to have 3????
[Galaxy Note 3 General] selimaky:
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...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] MoonProject:
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
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
Off topic as you say - exact answer is on thread at http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2461099. [Normal for Snapdragon apparently; 2.7 for Xynos.]
[Galaxy Note 3 General] josch2k:
Can you continue using your device and try it in some days again?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] uvaman:
Delete...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] gavinfabl:
did you use your German sim whilst in Germany?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] selimaky:
Yes, i live in Germany and that is the simcard i am using in daily life.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] selimaky:
Yes, i will do that...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
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.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] drayman20:
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
[Galaxy Note 3 General] barokov:
- are you still on CSC: N9005PHNBMI2? NO it is N9005OXABMJ1

- 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)? YES - list is still existing and both of them are in the list.

By the way - I have tested with Honk Kong SIM too - it is working too.

Forget to mention - already made the OTA - everything is fine.

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:21 PM ----------

By my opinion to automatically remove the Region Lock, one should use the phone for some time (10 days in my case) make some connection to Samsung server or may be it is related with Samsung account. Of course during this time one should use the proper SIM card. I'm not sure that data connection is needed - in my case it is active. May be there are some kind of timer or process which checking the SIM card usage and make the activation after some use or connection with Samsung.

By the way - the similar statement was made from the regional service manager of Samsung in my country week ago - he said "just wait for some time, it will unlock itself". Actually I do not believe at the begging, but now realize he was right. But this fact do not excuse Samsung not to make any official statement and explanation how this lock works and how unlocking process must be done.

Hope all of you guys, got this solution as soon you use your phones for sometime.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] drayman20:
i just called samsung france and they told me that i can not use my telephone abroad at all (outside europe)

what do you think?

i will try with sim card and see what happens. if it does not work i will return it back and ask for reimbersement
[Galaxy Note 3 General] wetsleet:
The following has just appeared on the Samsung UK website Q&A:

-----------------------

Samsung E-Support

1 day ago

Hi,

The regional lock means 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.

Once a device is activated normally, the regional SIM lock is automatically released.

Thanks.

-------------------
[Galaxy Note 3 General] drayman20:
i just tested my saudi SIM card from STC saudi telcome company in my note 3 bought from France (DARTY) and it is working in roaming mode

i tried calling and receving calls and it is working perfectly
[Galaxy Note 3 General] selimaky:
- Before Note 3 i was using Galaxy S2 and my german SIM has a Data tariff. It has no international call restrictions. In the activation process i dowloaded all the updates via wifi network. I tried to use my Turkish SIM today and the result is same; requestin an unlock code. This situation sucks :(.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
That sounds really, really bad for you. If you can, please help rule out it being locked in some way ... but not regionally. For example, can you see:

- if it will accept a different German network SIM? ie to see if carrier locked in Germany; or

- if it will accept another SIM from a country (eg US) which is neither European nor on the MCC list? - i.e. to see if MCC block list is relevant
[Galaxy Note 3 General] imyy4you:
Summary PLEASE HELP

There are 105 pages of Q&A in this thread. I'm hoping that someone smarter than me can answer this ASAP...

I am currently in the US. I live in Italy. I bought a GT-I9192 (Galaxy S4 Mini Duos) for use in Italy. Mine arrived as normal. I ordered a second for a friend. His is stamped "American SIM Model" despite the fact that it is a GSM phone not supported by Samsung US. I called Samsung US and the guy didn't know what he was talking about. He said I should be fine if I take it to Europe and use it there.

Bottom line. I'm returning to Italy on Saturday (The day after tomorrow). I have the opportunity to drop a prepaid SIM in this thing if that will free up the region lock.

Questions: 1. Do I need to do the Pre-Paid American SIM to free up the Region Lock?

2. If so, once the US Sim is in it, is there a setting I need to change or is it automatic?

3. If I don't do the US Prepaid thing, will this be a brick once I get to Italy and drop my Italian SIM in it?

Thanks for any and all help!

DD
[Galaxy Note 3 General] cgi:
Nobody really knows, including Samsung. (Actually, Samsung might know, but they don't give any consistent answers)

So until this is all cleared up, your best option is to return the phone and get a new one from a different company.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] EcPercy:
I suspect that those of us that bought "unlocked" phones would not expect that they are later locked via a firmware update. I think that a lawsuit will be filed against Samsung over this.

Good job Samsung! You pretty much ensured that I won't be buying any more phones from your company. My next phone will be LG.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] midnite_blue:
There oughta be a law! Anybody living in the EU motivated enough to move this?

Nice work, dxzh... well done!
[Galaxy Note 3 General] midnite_blue:
Yeah, that European Commission is somethin' else, n'est-ce pas?

ADDENDUM:

Looks like the brief career of donallace, whose post I quoted here in its entirety, has ended without a trace. Must have been a troublemaker.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
It is quite simple to suggest - Ms Kroes has a contact page at http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kroes/en/contact-me.

This could equally be the basis of a modest improvement of consumer protection and competition law in non-EU countries too.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] samaliset:
Hello,

Anyone knows if the Puman unlock remains active if the phone is upgraded with the new Samsung firmware.

Thanks
[Galaxy Note 3 General] betoNL:
Nobody is going to sue Samsung, I guess...

However someone could start a campaign to avoid potential buyers to stop buying Samsung phones

If I was HTC and LG for example, I would start manufacturing phones with replaceable batteries and sd card slots, with stylus capabilities in order to get into the vacuum that will be created by pissed-off Samsung users and then catch up....

Let me quote Chainfire once more:

Once again, way to go Samsung.....

.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] wetsleet:
A supplementary question has been asked on the Samsung UK site Q&A:

"In the context of Samsung Support's answers relating to regional SIM lock, could you explain exactly the full meaning of the term "activated normally"?"

Let's hope we get a clear, unambiguous and truthful answer, soon.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] marcomcarneiro:
Hi drayman20,

Almost the exact same happened to me. Bough my Note 3 from Darty France last Saturday, activated with an Orange (French company) SIM card, and a few hours later, switched with my Brazil SIM, and got the lock for the Brazil SIM only.

Reached out Samsung France to get a big "no", saying that they cannot be used abroad. Got the phone back to Darty, they called Samsung in front of me, and Samsung told them there's no such thing as "Region Lock", and this was a SIM lock.

Darty can't help, Samsung cant help, I even tried Orange and they can't help either.

I was going to wait the mentioned 10 days before I did anything, but I'm about to give up waiting and just try the "regionlockaway" app plus rooting the phone.

Does anyone has any suggestion otherwise?

Thanks
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lonelyw:
thanks

I just sent an email. everybody should do that and do not rely on each other to do it.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] mburrieza:
As customers there are some things that we can do (if you are not a lawyer with time/money to sue):

1) Return the phone if there are other similar phones available from other brands and inform the shop why you are doing the return. It's easy to explain: an unlocked GSM phone must be unlocked globally... Most big shops hate high return rates and it could generate big problems for Samsung if the quantity is high. Some mega shops like best buy or Walmart stop selling goods if the return rate is high, no matter the cause. Bad comments and qualifications on the vendor site also helps.

2) Post complaints on Samsung's Facebook and Twitter. Most marketing/PR teams get crazy when massive problems are shown to the 'normal' public on their pages because it hurts the brand. I work for an international company and can confirm that this kind of massive complaints can change even board decisions. I already post a complaint that was deleted within an hour. They can delete a couple of posts, but not hundreds/thousands of complaints.

3) Call your country's telecommunications regulator and ask if this is legal, if not initiate a complaint. The same can be done with consumer rights associations in some countries for free. Even if regional locks are not illegal, false advertising is a serious thing, not only for Samsung but also for the shop selling the phones.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dxzh:
Suggest check if you can use a SIM from another French network which is not Orange.

If you can, then:

- you have shown it is not locked to one specific network - ie not SIM-locked in traditional sense; and

- if Darty France sold it to you "SIM-free", you can point out to Darty that it works with multiple French networks but not with Brazilian network and therefore IS regionally locked. Options then include:

* tell Darty to give money back as not SIM-free and try alternate shop; OR

* perhaps offer to Darty you will accept compensation sufficient that you can buy unlock code; OR

* get Darty to ring Samsung again making clear that not SIM-locked to one network and get Samsung to provide unlock code.

Disadvantage of rooting route is that you may lose the manufacturer's warranty protection (though still have rights against retailer) and ability to use Knox might be permanently disabled (not that many people want it) and reduce resale value. If you are going to root anyway, this will probably not be news or a concern for you.