Do tesco sims still work in o2 phones?

grumbler

pmfrench wrote: »

Looking at the this thread, I still can't determine whether the original poster confirmed whether the tesco SIM works in the O2 locked Lumia 620. It seemed to be based on (reasonable) assumption.

Can anyone confirm it does work OK out of the box?

I am yet to see a report that O2 handset doesn't work with Tesco sim.

Buzby

grumbler wrote: »

I am yet to see a report that O2 handset doesn't work with Tesco sim.

However, the possibility that it will not remains present. As O2 do not configure Tesco's handsets, the fact remains it is in Tesco's interests to restrict. If they never have, fine - but they retain the ability to do just that, and will not disclose they have done so.

grumbler

Buzby wrote: »

... the fact remains it is in Tesco's interests to restrict. ...

It's in Tesco's interests to restrict their handsets working with other sims, not other networks' handsets working with Tesco sims.

It's possibly in O2's interests to restrict, but the fact remains: all O2 handsets work with O2 virtual networks' sims.

System

I've never heard of a lock to particular brand such as O2 networks.

They normally go by network code eg 234 10 for O2 or service provider code like Tesco.

A phone locked to a main network will almost always accept a sim issued by a virtual as it's network code is the same as main network but not always vice versa as the main won't have the SP code.

The only real exception that I've seen is that some virtuals (e.g. Vectone) have their own network code and appear to roam on their physical UK network. They won't work in phones locked to the network they roam on.

willihe_2

spannerzone wrote: »

Tesco use O2's network so yes, it'll work.

edit: a bit more searching suggests that actually it may not ! - it seems some say that O2 phones will work happily with a tesco SIM but not necessarily vice versa.

It seems that MVNO supplied phones (mobile virtual network operator like Tesco, Virgin, Asda, etc) have a double lock unlike proper network supplied phones (first I'd heard about it)

So if I bought a phone from Orange, would a Virgin Sim work in it? (Or would it only work in T-Mobile?)

d123

willihe wrote: »

So if I bought a phone from Orange, would a Virgin Sim work in it? (Or would it only work in T-Mobile?)

Yes, if you mean buying a new phone. Not always, if you mean an older model.