HELP. FED UP!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm contacting you all from South Africa, via wifi may I add, because I cannot get my iPhone to work here. It is a 3GS which I've bought and paid for, that 02 has supposedly unlocked (I received a phone call to tell me even that it was done before I left some days ago on holiday) so therefore I should be able to use it with other networks. Right? WRONG.
I have tried pay as you go SIM cards on both networks here to no avail. There is no problem with the SIM. The network settings including the APN have been changed, so it's not because of old settings on the phone.
I've even visited the Apple store who have informed me that there is no reason why the phone should not work unless it is hardware locked as well.
Hardware locked?! Is this correct?!! Has anyone had this experience?
So if I understand correctly, in order to make it work here I have to have the SIM reader changed?! If so, why was I not informed of this hardware lock? If I'd known, I would have been prepared and brought another phone with me!
Otherwise all this phone is is a very very expensive iPod.
I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts or comments on this, as I'd really like to get it working.

Sad in South Africa

[adamtemp64]

you have connected it to itunes with the non o2 sim in to perform the unlock?

[jonsie]

I've never heard of hardware lock on the iphone. Did you check the phone in itunes that it was unlocked before you went?

I can only suggest you contact O2 via the chat link just below or fill in the unlock form, again in the link below.

It just sounds as though the phone is still locked to O2.

[Anonymous]

+1 on not hearing about a hardware lock !

Did you get any type of congratulations message from iTunes when connecting the phone with another carriers sim enclosed.

We're you ever jail-broken and tampered with the base band ?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

No mention that the OP has connected to iTunes to complete the unlock so that's where my money is

[Anonymous]

You are all stars!!
Thanks so much, I did connect it to iTunes before I left but the new SIM wasn't in it then. I didn't actually get a message? Maybe it didn't unlock as quick as I thought it would.
Really appreciate the help, have a great weekend!

[MI5]

Ahhhhh, you have to have a non O2 SIM in the phone when you connect to iTunes, as you now know