Just a thought but have you checked with a sim from the network you want to change to as the phone might not be locked in the first place?
I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion.
This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.Currently using:
Pixel 7a (O2 & Lyca), One Plus 6 (Sfr), iPhone 12 Pro Max (Vodafone)