Yes, you can unlock and unfreeze any phone free of charge, and it doesen't damage the phone irreversibly. The unlock companies who charge tell you otherwise, I can't think why? Surely they wouldn't want to make money out of something that should be provided to phone owners! I have researched this and proved it.
If you put in the time and effort to search for the right code, you will defeat those who want to take your money for something that should be freely available to you.
Equalizer II, April 2010