I was looking for a 4G modem to use when traveling. All the modems I could find at a decent price were network locked. Except the ones on Optus ones on their website. The same modems via other channels were locked. I went through the whole purchasing flow carefully checking if it said anywhere they were network locked. The terms and conditions state handsets are network locked. A modem isn't a handset, so a reasonable person can assume that the modem would not be network locked.
Fast forward a few days and my new modem arrives. I put a Telstra SIM into it and the device tells me it is network locked. I call Optus and get bounced around the place. A rep admits the website needs updating but they can't unlock and transfers me yet again. Eventually I get told that I need to activate the service and pay the unlock fee. When I mention the TIO the rep hangs up. I call the TIO, they tell me it sounds like I have a claim.
A few days later Optus complaints replies telling me they can't unlock it and offer me a cheque for $44. I point to the knowledge base article about the cost of unlocks*. The rep asks for the IMEI which I send through. After a few days he emails me back an unlock code.
All up ~30mins effort and $44 for a network unlocked 4G modem. I'm pretty happy with that outcome. I hope this helps other who are after a network unlocked 4G modem that works with Optus and other networks.
Note: I found the knowledge base article after placing my order.
Good work!
Which one did you get?
I'm pretty sure just about all the basic $29-$39 ones half price we see on special from the usual retailers like woolies/coles/ow etc are unlocked. Might've saved you all the effort to get that sorted.