I have a brand new Nokia 301 which is a good alround phone. I want to get it unlocked from the Tesco network so I can use my Manx Telecom sim whilst on the Isle Of Man.

I bought the phone for £40 and with a free sim it's still cheaper than roaming costs.

I have tried several places both in Birkenhead and Wallasey to get it unlocked but they all say no.

I see even Tesco themselves are reluctant to give out an unlocking code and charge £20 and numerous phone call for the privilege.

If it can't be done I will buy a sim free one of the Internet and the Tesco one can do one.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Tesco use a double lock system where the phone has to be unlocked by them and, in your case Nokia or now Microsoft.
Their tech support will get you both unlock codes but only after the phone has been on a Tesco contract for at least 12 months.
So if it is new I guess you will have to wait for nearly 12 months.

have you tried another sim in it to see if its already unlocked? Tesco phones are normally able to take any sim....at least thats my experience for past 3.5yrs anyway

Thanks for your feedback on this.

I have tried putting another SIM card into the phone and asks me for a Access Control Code.

Is this the unlock code or the SIM card code.

The phone is well and truly locked to Tesco.

So I'm getting another 301 of the Internet which is sim free.

I will let the Tesco one go to an Isle of Man resident I know who comes over regularly.

Just as final point, anyone travelling to the island wanting to save money on roaming costs can purchase an unlocked Nokia 106 with a free manx telecom sim for £20 on the boat on the way over.

I am told that all new mobiles these days come unlocked or "Sim free". Anyone know anything to the contrary? Or is it just contract phones that come unlocked?

Depending on the phone, although unlocked to start with some lock to the first sim inserted. You would need to ask the seller.

Sim free or unlocked mobiles are generally double the price even more so if you opt for a dual sim version.

Networks get the cost of the phones back off you via contract or call charges.

I remember the days when you could only get a half decent phone unless you got it on contract.

The next generation of 5G network phones are set to be ground breaking..