New phone brought outright...

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if because I brought my phone outright from the O2 store, I will be bony useable on the O2 network?

[Liquid]

It most likly is locked to O2 unless it states otherwise.

Does it mention its unlocked status?

Welcome to the forums:)

[anticpated]

If it has an O2 start-up screen then it's using O2 firmware. You can get the network codes removed for free using the O2 website. You will still need to overwrite the firmware with a Multi-CSC version to be truly free.

[perksie]

It will be locked to the O2 network for 12 months, then you can get it unlocked for use elsewhere.

[anticpated]

Yes pretty much it's the SIM that's locked to your binding contract regardless of what handset is used. This is the sad reality of it all. O2 really only care about that you are using their network and if the handset breaks down and it's not as sold (or upgraded as it should) then they won't cover it for any insurance.

Am I right in saying this is a PAYG contract? To be honest, if you are going to go PAYG and pay full price try and buy from somewhere like CFW or P4U who SIM-Free handsets which are not network locked however will except all SIM's.

[Anonymous]

@Anticipated. 

I think it is more to do with O2 covering themselves when they hand over a £400 phone. By having 12 months O2 can recoup there money if the customer decides to default.

[anticpated]

I can understand this however with the exception of this Galaxy S2 I currently own, all my recent telephones have been Multi-CSC. Of course, as the telephone was Free with the contract I decided after a while to remove all the O2 info and default a Samsung ROM with the bits I don't use stripped out.

Anyway as you were.

[perksie]

I don't think all Pay Monthly handsets are locked but if you buy one outright it will be as they're sold as Pay and Go.

[Anonymous]

True that CPW just marry up a sim with an unlocked phone.

I used to go in with my sim card and choose the cheapest deal on whatever payg network and just ask to try my own sim in it too to see that it booted up ok.

Now i buy my iphones from my local high street apple store, thus my iphone 5 is factory unlocked.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Assuming it's an Android phone...

Tap in the following number (as if you were making a call)

*#*7378423#*#*

...you'll see a "hidden" service menu.

click on "service info" and then on "SIM lock".

If there's an "x" next to the entry for "Network" - your phone is sim-locked to a provider - (in this case, O2).