Sony Xperia S locked on O2 doesn't accept giffgaff SIM

[Anonymous]

So the topic pretty much says it all. I have a Sony Xperia S that is locked on O2 and I want to use a giffgaff top-up card but it doesn't accept it (says no service). Could this be due to the fact that is locked or is it some other problem? I've tried two different giffgaff cards but none of them seem to get a signal.

[Liquid]

It will be because the phone is locked to O2.

Hang on you want to top up a O2 sim using a giff gaff top up card?:/

[Anonymous]

No, sorry. Maybe I made things unclear because I was in a rush. I'm currently using a giffgaff SIM card (which is a top-up or pay as you go or what'ya'might'call'it). Giffgaff is owned by O2 and the phone is locked to the O2 network but it still doesn't accept the SIM card. So I was wondering if I have to unlock the phone to actually use the current SIM card or is there something wrong with my phone?

[Liquid]

Aargh ok I get you.

Apparently giff gaff sims work in O2 phones. You'd need to change some of the settings to get everything working though.

Do you have an O2 sim around to test the phones functionality?

[Anonymous]

I do, yes. I've been reading the giffgaff forums and everyone says you don't need to unlock anything to get it working with your O2 phone but, for some reason, I can't get my new SIM working. But I do have an O2 SIM. Could you guide me through the steps?

[Liquid]

So your O2 sim works fine? Just wondering if the networks down in your area at the moment.

Ill have a look into what needs changing, seeing as the phone says no service on two sims I'd be inclined to say there's a problem with more than just settings.

No service tends to indicate a network fault or hardware fault.

Try putting your giffgaff sim in and restarting the phone see what it does. I'm wondering if its expecting to connect to the O2 network still through the giffgaff sim. You could also reset network settings.

[Anonymous]

I tried putting in a O2 SIM card but it says no service as well. I tried using the giff gaff SIM with my other phone (which I used up until now) and it has service everywhere I go.

Though, when I start up the Xperia S it briefly displays an error message about a SIM card at the top but I can't seem to get what it says.

[Liquid]

Arrgh ok. It's got to be a phone issue in that case:(

How long have you had the phone? If you can claim on insurance or warrenty that will be your best options.

[Anonymous]

Oh, the error message says "SIM not provisioned MM #2"

[jonsie]

Sounds like it's IMEI/sim locked. How long have you had the phone, maybe it's been reported as lost/stolen.