PAYG phone - locked for other providers?

banana_joe

Hi guys,

a stupid newbie question: if I get a PAYG phone with ORANGE
do I always have to stick with ORANGE?
Or can I switch to a different provider?
In other words: is the mobile locked for other providers?

Thank you,
Banana Joe

Woby_Tide

yes, thats how it is an Orange PAYG phone. Some can be unlocked, others can't. There are various threads at the top opf the page that will detail which models can and can't be unlocked(and which are easiest) so aim for one of those if you intend to use another network.

eljmayes

Usually as has been mentioned on here if you buy a PAYG mobile from the Carphone Warehouse it's unlocked for use on any network due to their massive buying power;).

SweetPea23

Orange do tend to brand their phones PAYG and contract. If it has the Orange logo somewhere printed on the phone, chances are its locked to that network.

banana_joe

Thank-you for your answers!

I'm thinking of getting a PAYG phone with Orange through https://www.mobiles2yourdoor.co.uk, in particular I'm after this offer here:

http://www.mobiles2yourdoor.co.uk/OfferDetails.asp?ITK=15&ItemKey=204793&NetKey=4

mikegahan

With Carphone warehouse the cheaper handsets tend not to be locked. For example I bought a Motorola W180 ( now priced at £2.90 plus a compulsory £10 top up). i asked the assistant who said it was not locked and now I am using it on O2. This is a handset designed for developing markets so Orange are getting it cheap, and selling it subsidised to attract headline publicity and new customers