My 4 free SIM cards wont work!

akks

I received 4 free SIM cards in the post today from 02
When i put each 1 of them in my mobile..it keeps saying the SIM is locked.
Whats going on there?

zenseeker

Have you actually tried phoning O2? There is probably a very good reason and, strangely enough, O2 will be better qualified to figure out what is going on, and unlock them if need be.

Fiver29

I had that problem a couple of months ago, and it seems the SIM cards only have a certain shelf life. I went to my local o2 shop and they exchanged them straight away. I was obviously using one immediately, but they said to make sure the others were used within 6 months or they'd be locked out.

akks

My actual handset is from 3...has that got anything to do with it?

Fiver29

akks wrote: »

My actual handset is from 3...has that got anything to do with it?

Unless your handset is unlocked to any network, all alternative SIM cards will have the same problem.

zenseeker

akks wrote: »

My actual handset is from 3...has that got anything to do with it?

:rolleyes:

Yeah, that would have a lot to do with it. You'll have to either unlock your phone, or apply for SIMs from 3.

akks

I didnt think it made any difference who the actual handset was from...the SIM has got all the company info on it not the handset...so i thought?

zenseeker

There is a guide to unlocking a mobile here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/unlock-mobile-phone

When you buy a mobile, the providers are keen to lock you into using their service by locking the phone so that you can only use their service with it, but unlocking is easy and pefectly legal.

spalding

akks wrote: »

I didnt think it made any difference who the actual handset was from...the SIM has got all the company info on it not the handset...so i thought?

Phones are generally locked to a particular network this is to protect the outlay the company has made on the handset and to try and keep you loyal!
As above phones can be unlocked with very few problems now

Browntoa

and 3 phones are not free unlocks, either code from them or find a shop/market stall to unlock it

UnlikelyButTrue

Unfortunately, 3 phones are about the only ones that you just can't use other sim cards with (because they are meanies i think!). I;ve just moved to Orange after 5 years with 3 and only just realised what good customer service actually is!
(but they are the best value for money, unfortunately...)