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Mobile handset locking
When you take out a new service with a mobile provider, you may find your handset has been ‘locked’ so that it will only work on that network.
This is because your provider has given you a heavily subsidised – or even free – handset. So they want you to stay with them so they can recover their costs.
As mobile providers locking practices can differ, Ofcom advises consumers interested in unlocking their phones to ask about unlocking fees and minimum locking periods before they buy a mobile.
If you feel these details weren’t made clear when you signed up, or if you were in any way misled, you might find it helpful to contact Consumer Direct.
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