Unlocking phones from O2 network

[Anonymous]

I think it is unacceptable to have to wait 12 months to unlock a mobile phone that has only ever been used with a pay as you go SIM. This makes a mockery of not having a contract phone. You are in effect forcing a contract upon pay as you go customers by locking their phone for 12 months to your network. A phone that the customer has bought outright and belongs to them cannot be used on other networks for 12 months?? What right do you have to do this?

[adamtemp64]

As this is a customer to customer community o2 will not respond but the regulator OFCOM has this advice http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/mobile-phones/changing-provider/mobile-phone-locking-and-unlocki... . 

Unfortunately you will need to speak to o2 directly about this . 

[MI5]

It's in the T&C's and within the Ofcom regs.
In future, buy from CPW and you won't have the problem.
Complaints link, if you feel it's worth your time is here, although I doubt it will help, but worth a try.....
http://www.o2.co.uk/how-to-complain

[jonsie]

It won't help at all. O2 are keeping within their terms that are freely available to read when you purchase the phone.

[Anonymous]

Also I think a valid point is that O2 subsidise the phone to keep the price down, look at the MOTO G 3rd Gen £99 pay as you go, or £129 sim free at CPW.

[Curr946]

That's right, but not in all cases. I believe all handsets sold (unless on lease) should be unlocked.

[jonsie]

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@Curr946 wrote:
That's right, but not in all cases. I believe all handsets sold (unless on lease) should be unlocked.

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My feelings too. The main reason I didn't buy a phone off O2 before coming over here is that it would be useless to me until after 12 months. I could have put my contract sim in to get it unlocked but decided against it on principal, especially when phones are cheaper here anyway....and I certainly didn't want the O2 splash screen and the endless delays for updates.

Until the governing bodies outlaw the practice of locking phones, all the networks will continue to do so. Again, the biggest reason I couldn't bring a 6s for the wife and buy it with the credit I had.