How to unlock your Sony UX-180p

By David Ciccone, posted Friday, Jul. 7th, 2006
Reader Comments: 8

Two days ago I spoke about the excessive costs associated with the $79.99 unlimied EDGE contract for your new SONY UX-180p. Well I have received step by step instructions from Sony Tech Support in how to unlock your UX so you can use your current Cingular SIM or go for the $19.99 T-Mobile EDGE plan..A big thank you goes to Sony for helping me unlock my UX...

How to unlock the Sony UX-180p

IMPORTANT
Since the UX-180 already comes with a SIM Card from Cingular you need to make sure you do not pull the SIM out during this unlock process.
Open the SmartWi connection utility and select Cingular and write down your IMEI #.
Open Hyper Terminal (click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Hyper Terminal)
Connect to COM3 (Sony support has been saying COM4 this will not work)
Type AT and check if you get an OK echo.
Call Sony 2nd tier support and inform them you want to unlock the UX-180p� EDGE modem since you will be traveling internationally.
Type AT+CLCK=PN,0 ,xxxxxxxx (the x's represent your unlock number) in Hyper Terminal. If they give you the correct unlock code it will come back and say "OK" .
Close and Shut down Computer.
Take out the Cingular SIM. Insert the T-Mobile SIM.

NOTE: The SIM is located on the left hand side of the UX where you need to use a small Phillips head screwdriver
Open SmartWi and open up the Cingular Connection Manager.
Click on Profile, select ADD button at the bottom of the window.
Click on Create Custom Profile.
Then you must type in the following:
Service Type: packet or cicuit
Dialed: *99***1#
Acess Point Name: (internet2.voicestream.com)
Username: (LEAVE BLANK)
Password: (LEAVE BLANK)
Click next. On IP Settings leave everything on Automatic. Click Next again.
In the Profile Name slot, Type in T-Mobile, click FINISH

Hi I purchased a Sony UX180P off Ebay. Great Machinr and all that but Sony support is crap. Becuase I am in the UK Sony wants to charge me a premium rate number to talk to an idot who doesn't know how to unlock the machine. USA aren't much better? Can someone help me as the machine I have has no sim card and I want to use a Vodafone Sim for edge connection. All Vodafone wants to do is flog me a USB modem and charge Ł25.00 a month for access??

Posted by , Saturday, Sep. 1st, 2007

How is it 20 I called and they told me that it was 50 a month...... Also I tried the intructions abone and it just sits there and says searching for network!!!!

Posted by joseatnj, Thursday, Mar. 1st, 2007

I have enjoyed Hi speed data using the Palm Trio 700W from verizon using bluetooth and the PDAnet software. I get 2.4 meg between the phone and the UX180 and 700 k on line rate. This is much better than Tmobile or Cingular because it works everywhere and I can use it on all my laptops without having a CF slot card

Posted by ncmeinc, Wednesday, Dec. 6th, 2006

Can anyone tell me what I need from T-mobil to get my UX180 connected to their edge network? I just purchased an "unlocked" computer on eBay and I do not know what I need from T-mobil. Do I need a specific card or specific SIM or specific data plan? I cannot find a $19.99 data plan.

Posted by mwest, Wednesday, Oct. 18th, 2006

For those of you wondering what phone number to call ... I just called the regular customer information service center @ 1-888-476-6972.

You have to go through their frustrating automated assistant (and learn to say V-G-N-U-X-1-8-0-P as the model number, as it doesn't like UX180P) ... then get put on hold for a little bit.

But it is really not that painful. No need to ask for 2nd tier support. I explained what I wanted to do to the person who answered my call. He said that should be no problem, and asked if I already had the instructions and just wanted the code. He typed a few keys, confirmed my name and phone number (I just got my UX180P today, hadn't registered it with Sony, but I guess they have me in their database from other product registrations), asked for the IMEI, and gave me a code.

I followed the instructions above ... and I'm good to go.

I have to say, I was impressed that front line support was ready to answer this question so quickly. (I suppose they get asked it a lot.)

Posted by skippythelizard, Monday, Jul. 31st, 2006

$20 may be better than $80, but check coverage that users in your area get before switching to T-Mo. I had it for two years in South Florida and the coverage was abysmal. Was not worth 2 cents.

Posted by celler, Sunday, Jul. 16th, 2006

Do you have the phone number dave?

Posted by gomezaz, Saturday, Jul. 8th, 2006

Nice. $20 is definitely better than $80.

Posted by dmc874, Saturday, Jul. 8th, 2006

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