O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

[Anonymous]

I bought my iphone 5 from Carphone warehouse on it's release, it was supposed to be SIM FREE, little did I know it gets locked to the first SIM that is inserted in to the phone.

After my contract ran out with O2, now with the ability to shop around, O2 refuses to unlock my phone, while in the same time refuse to match any offers on other networks for contract renewal.

I think this anti compeitive, espically 6 months after it's release, with iPhone 5 in pentful supply. All other networks now freely allow their phone to be unlocked, with O2 refuses to do so, even though I did not buy my iPhone from them in the first place!

[perksie]

You are correct and there has been much on this here:

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/iPhone-5-is-coming-to-O2/m-p/280068/highlight/true#M3230

[Anonymous]

A much discussed subject.

Cpw charging the same as apple do for a sim free ip5 and then lock it to the first network sim is shady. I know they put it in small print but as so many people have complained it wasn't enough in sight in my opinion.

I agree with you and as other networks now unlock and the soon to be released iPhone 5s later this year it's about time they started unlocking it.

[Anonymous]

I was considering buying an iPhone 5 from O2 but have heard that O2 will only sell locked devices. Do other carriers have this policy? If not who would you recommend?

[jonsie]

Most networks sell phones locked to their own network but other companies are unlocking them after the qualifying period. O2 have not announced their unlocking schedule as yet.

If you can afford it, best bet is to buy sim free from Apple.

[Anonymous]

From the information I have found on the Internet ONLY O2 are currently refusing to unlock. Is this true?

[jonsie]

As far as I'm aware, yet that's correct. But bear in mind if you get a contract phone the other operators will probably unlock it for you but if you get a P&G phone all operators have a qualifying period as to when they will unlock the phone.

I am expecting that O2 will soon be unlocking the iphone 5 but there is nothing official as yet.

[Anonymous]

I will purchase my iphone 5 from Apple, but will not risk inserting an O2 sim, even if purchased sim free. Seems that O2 want to take control of the iPhone even when purchased sim free!

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I will purchase my iphone 5 from Apple, but will not risk inserting an O2 sim, even if purchased sim free. Seems that O2 want to take control of the iPhone even when purchased sim free!

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You are talking complete rubbish !!

[jonsie]

Buy sim free from Apple and it remains sim free no matter whose simcard you put in.