Unlocking Mobile Phones

[porkchop]

There are plenty of "companies" on websites and also "shops" on the street who can unlock mobile phones so that you can use any provider you wish.Does anyone know how these companies get the unlock code so that the mobile can be unlocked? If they can get the code why is it hard for an individual to skip the "company" and get the unlock code themselves?

[TheChair]

Dunno. But, by law, your mobile phone provider must supply an unlock code for reasonable admin fee. T-Mobile unlocked mine for 15 quid.

[Tuvok]

Some need to be connected to a computer to be unlocked

[douglas9401]

Unlockers, like car radio code suppliers either buy details or subscribe to a database with the required codes.
The first couple of jobs pay the bills and the rest is profit.