Why is a new sim-free phone locked?

Julysea

I just bought a new phonme going to some lengths to ensure it was a sim-free, contract-free, network-free model, but now it has arrived, it seems to be locked? Why would this be? And how? Who would it be locked to? It's a NOkia, I didn't think they were tied to any particular network?

Liz, puzzled.

malamute

Where did you buy this phone from (ebay, corner shop, local store, internet supplier who???). When you say its locked what exactly are you saying does it reject the sim card you are installing into the phone?.
Get back onto who ever sold you the phone as its not what you parted your hard earned money for.

Julysea

It was from amazon, brand new in packaging. It says 'sim not valid' when I put my sim card in. I know the sim card works as it does in other phones. I am assuming it's locked from this, but I don't know a huge amount about mobile phones.

reehsetin

was it direct from amazon or a marketplace seller?

gaming_guy

if it says sim card registration failed, it usually means the phone has been blocked/barred (i.e. reported lost or stolen)

Julysea

Brand new, from amazon itse;f, not a marketplace seller. Still sealed in packaging inside and outside. It definitely says 'sim not valid', not failed or anything.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Does it need to be a particular SIM e.g. a 3G sim rather than a 2G?

james-73

state phone type/model and sim being used.

br

Julysea

It's a Nokia 1600 phone and a Fresh mobile PAYG sim. I have no idea if it's 2G, 3G or what. It's a basic sim and a basic phone, I had no idea there could be incompatibility. I have phoned Nokia Care but have to wait for a call back and it'll probably not be today apparently.

chachi

What is the IMEI and numeric product code of the phone (from the label inside battery compartment) ...

That phone is easy to unlock (if we can determine to whom the lock is) but the numeric product code (a seven digit number like [SIZE=-1]0520001) will tell us what the supposed status of the handset is supposed to be, as that number denotes any special firmware differences to the standard european release, and potentially to what network that handset was supposed manufactured for.

But also give Fresh CS a ring to confirm they don't need to activate/enable the sim ...
[/SIZE]

paddytt

try a SIM card from a different phone, to rule out the possibility of a problem with your SIM

T