Probably a dumb question re unlocking phones

GreyPilgrim

There's a rather good employee deal at the moment where I work. If I take on a new virgin contract with their £40 a month tariff I get a free handset, a free 4GB iPod nano, and I also get a 50% discount on the tariff so it works out at £20 a month.

Since my current tariff on o2 ends in a few months I was planning to take the offer up, and flog the handset and ipod (my current handset is working fine and I don't really want an iPod).

Do most network operators tie their handsets to work on their networks only, or is it only certain operators?

Really sorry if this is a dumb / obvious question - I don't really bother too much about the finer details...'where did I leave it' is the only detail I concern myself with.

GreyPilgrim

This will be direct from Virgin - virgin tarriff, virgin handset.

GreyPilgrim

This will be direct from Virgin - virgin tarriff, virgin handset.

GreyPilgrim

This will be direct from Virgin - virgin tarriff, virgin handset.

voddyvix

As far as i'm aware most networks lock their phones.
Do you know what make and model the handset is? if so Google it with 'unlock' that will probably get you results.
I managed to unlock my nokia 6230 which was with t-mobile.
There really is no need to pay for this service, its completely free if you do a bit of research.