Which networks lock PAYG phones?

BFJ

Seems to be lots of people looking for information about each network's practices regarding locking PAYG phones.

Personally, I am after a SE K750i PAYG unlocked. Have a feelinng O2 don't lock theirs.

Anyone know what each network does (e.g. do any not lock their phones?)

espresso

Basically all PAYG networks lock their handsets, because they are subsidising the real price of the handset and they want you to use their network to get money back. O2 contract phones my be supplied unlocked but not PAYG. Sometimes dealers like CPW supply GSM stock handsets with PAYG SIMs, so you could get an unlocked one that way.

BFJ

That's originally what I thought, but then last year I got an O2 PAYG, although it was refurbished, and that was unlocked.....

mike_wall15

BFJ wrote:

That's originally what I thought, but then last year I got an O2 PAYG, although it was refurbished, and that was unlocked.....

That's because it was originally a contract phone but somebody sent it back and they decided to sell it on PAYG.
Nowadays, O2 place their returns onto ebay :beer:

watcherman

Just about every CPW PAYG can be bought as standard/un-branded phones, the one's that come in Network liveried packaging aren't, but they will usually give you an unlocked phone if you ask, unless it is something unique to a network, like the white W810i.

ALTEA

I know that tesco will unlock any of their payg phones free of charge providing that you have put £30 on the phone since it was first registered. Which probarbly still works out cheaper than buying a sim free phone.

everythingblogcast

ALTEA wrote:

I know that tesco will unlock any of their payg phones free of charge providing that you have put £30 on the phone since it was first registered. Which probarbly still works out cheaper than buying a sim free phone.

Really I will remember that. May get a phone and put and use the £30 and get it unlocked. Thanks.

ultrak3wl

mike_wall15 wrote:

Nowadays, O2 place their returns onto ebay :beer:

Can you say where? I can find the Vodafone shop but not the O2.

drahcir_2

ultrak3wl wrote:

Can you say where? I can find the Vodafone shop but not the O2.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfromZR7QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQpfidZ0QQsassZo2onlineauctionsQQsinceZ30QQsofindtypeZ15

MrGreen

ALTEA wrote:

I know that tesco will unlock any of their payg phones free of charge providing that you have put £30 on the phone since it was first registered. Which probarbly still works out cheaper than buying a sim free phone.

Virgin Mobile will also unlock PAYG phones if you have spent £30 on top ups.

mintymoneysaver

I bought a phone in CPW THE other day and wanted it on Virgin as already had a sim.It was £20 cheaper on Orange so he just sold me the phone gave me an Orange SIM and told me to stick my own SIM in when I got home!