Do UK phones need to be unlocked to use abroad?

the_tired_one

I know that most phones have to be unlocked if you want make them SIM-FREE in the UK.

However, is it true that mobiles taken abroad (to be used with the host country SIMs) DO NOT require unlocking. (Apparentl same applies for barred phones-but that is not what I am asking).

Its just that I have a friend who is going to live in the sub-continent and I wanted to give her a gift of a Siemens phone-and whilst mentioning getting it unlocked, she said it MAY NOT be necessary).

Any help would be apprciated.

sockpuppetuk

It will need unlocking if it was bought as a network specific handset.
In other words, if the phone is not already unlocked then it will need doing before any other sim will work in it.

the_tired_one

Thanks-so if I have a phone that will take a Virgin/O2/Orange/Vodafone SIM, is it safe to assume that its unlocked?

virgo17

sockpuppetuk wrote:

It will need unlocking if it was bought as a network specific handset.
In other words, if the phone is not already unlocked then it will need doing before any other sim will work in it.

If a phone is locked to a particular network, it will be a problem if you wish to use a SIM card from another network (foreign) in it. However, provided your current service provider has a roaming agreement with networks in the country you will be visiting your phone will work fine with your current SIM card.

One advantage of roaming with your UK SIM card is that most service providers normally have arrangements with several providers in any one country. Thus you are able to select the network with the best coverage in the area you are visiting. The major disadvantage, as I am sure you realise, is cost. Calls made abroad from your UK SIM will be vastly more expensive than obtaining a local SIM and using that in an unlocked phone.

V.