FIRST time poster so sorry if the "freebie" option is not technically correct..
It is locked to optus but works on optus/boost sims and possibly other sim's that use the optus network (my Liveconnected does
I went into Telechoice at the marion (Adelaide) and I needed a replacement for my phone for when I go out. The representative said that they are essentially giving away the Samsung E3210 mobile (see link) for free*.
Here is what exactly is happening….
Optus made a deal with telechoice that if they sign up x amount of prepaid people, they will get a lump of cash. Telechoice is doing this by customers getting the free phone as long as they sign up a prepaid optus account. SO..the customer needs to sign up for 12 months to an optus plan which and the cheapest is some $5 a month plan. TELECHOICE will PAY (or reimburse you) every month the same $5 that you would need to pay for the first 12 months. So after 12 months, they wont pay anything but you can just cancel the account anyway (the contract is only 12 months). For this, telechoice gives you the phone and the prepaid card from optus which can be registered online and you also get a free pair of thongs :)
Heres the deal and what to do;
1) Go to a telechoice store and say you have heard telechoice gives the samsung E3210 for free as they pay you back the $5 a month you need to pay
2) You sign the forms and you get 1x E3210, 1x prepaid optus card
3) Just leave the optus prepaid card in a box and use your own optus sim
4) register the optus card online if you want the free dubee thongs
5) Have $5 in your account you give and optus will take it out but telechoice will reimburse you for the FIRST 12 months.
6) After 12 months, CANCEL the account and you still keep the phone + it is unlocked.
So, get a prepaid phone(which comes with a prepaid number inside) but you also get a postpaid $5 plan signup number. So technically, you are on a $5 a month plan which telechoice pays you and you get the phone for free. Just don't use the postpaid number and you will be fine.
You could use the extra number as a emergency number when you go out which WILL have $5 to use which is essentially free!! Just dont go over…..
There is another phone you can get ( a crappier samsung)
I did this myself and got 3 phones for the kids :).
If you need proof, I will upload a picture soon!
Sounds like too much trouble for a $50 phone where a LOT can go wrong.