Mobile phone network?

[sistermag]

Hi,

My brother asked me for a cheap mobile phone for christmas and he didn't mind what network it came on. I purchased a Samsung sgh-b100 phone on ebay. The phone has arrived boxed and sealed but has no network displayed on it. I contacted the seller and they said the phone was a gift to them and they do not know the network? Does this mean i can buy any sim for him and it will work? I don't want to open the box as it's his christmas gift! Any help would be appreciated x

[ChuckFickens]

Well if the seller doesn't know if it's locked to a network I'm not sure how you expect a random person on the internet to know.

[sistermag]

Thanks, really helpful!!!!!!!!

[ummmm]

It is helpful...because it's true..!

[Mobius1]

It's a 2 year old model that's long since discontinued (2 years is as good as 20 in the world of mobiles). If your brother wasn't too fussed, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you opening the box and having a look.

It might have a sim card in it already. If it's an O2 sim, then the phone is not network locked. Similarly, if there is no sim at all, then it is probably a sim free model with no network lock. Anything else, then it's probably locked to the respective sim that it comes with. If there is genuinely nothing at all on the box that would suggest a network then the only way you're going to be sure is to open it and have a look.