locked to 3?

danandjens_worldtravels

Hi,
I have a 3 phone with a good monthly contract which i got on a retention deal a few years ago. I don't want to change the contract, but the handset I have is old and getting a near to useless. I have rung 3 but to get a new handset I have to get a new deal and they won't go anywhere near my current 5 pound per month.

One of the buttons doesn't work; the star key, so not essential and the battery lasts about 4 hours with basic use.

I have an unlocked phone, but it doesn't accept the 3 sim, the guy in the shop said this is common as 3 don't allow their sims in other phones (:think:. I have no idea if this is true?

I know I could just get a new battery, but with the broken button thing I would like a new handset.

Does anyone know if I can buy any of the cheap phones, 15 quid or so and unlock them to use in the 3, or should the already unlocked phone accept the card.

Alternatively I could get a payg 3 phone, what is the cheapest way to do this as I have no intention of ever using the payg sim, just putting my sim in.

Any other solutions?

Jon_01

Its not that 3 don't allow their sims in other phone, its that they don't allow none 3g phones on their network (as it costs them as they don't run a 2g network, they fall back to a partner who charges them).

So, you can get any sim free phone as long as its a 3g model. Most will say they support 3g. You'll also need to get settings for things like internet, MMS etc as these live on the phone and a sim free or none 3 phone won't have them. 3 can usually texted them to the phone for you.

maplegirl2011

if you have a savers shop near you have a look in there. they have 3 payg phones from about £15

bubblesmoney

the settings are on the sim i think. my three network sim worked on my unlocked desires. i didnt need to feed any settings manually. as long as the OP buys a 3g phone it should work on three network. there must be enough cheap 3g phones around from 30£ onwards from three network http://www.3-mobile-store.co.uk/payg/

there must be cheaper phones elsewhere too. call 333 and ask if they have any cheap refurbished phones to sell. more than 4y ago i got 2 refurbished handsets from three, worked fine for me for 18m and later gave the phones to others who are still using them without problems.