Are all phones locked to 02

[Twist66]

Hi - not currently with 02 . About to purchase Sony Experia L1. On live chat I was advised this phone is unlocked, but if it isn’t 02 will give me free code ! 

So is it locked to 02 or not ?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@Twist66 

All new phones sold by O2 are unlocked.

Any older phones can be unlocked for free 

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/ba-p/1...

[Twist66]

Great , thank you for such a quick response.  Will now go ahead with purchase.

[MI5]

Welcome aboard 

[jonsie]

It should certainly be unlocked but I'm just guessing that there may be a crossover period?

[dgilbert2]

Its good that the practice of locking phones is now disappearing 

It must have caused more trouble than it was worth and is so much easier for us users.

[Anonymous]

People still need to realise that a phone that utilises the O2 network may not have been bought direct from O2 & therefore may be locked!