[Adam792]

My Mum currently uses a W580i which is coming to the end of its usable life, on Asda mobile PAYG.

She wants a new phone for not very much money, and so I'm trying to find something suitable.

There's the Nokia 2330, (which would pose no issue as it can be bought from Carphone Warehouse, thus being unlocked) which immediately caught my eye being cheap and seeming fairly decent for a basic handset.

However, there are two others that are a possibility. Firstly, the Sony Ericsson Spiro which is also at CPW, but works out significantly cheaper if you buy from vodafone, and secondly, the Vodafone 540 for £20 (can't find this online, but I've definitely just seen it in the Bath Vodafone store), obviously a network exclusive.

My question is, in theory I know that ASDA SIMs are known to work in vodafone handsets like other MVNOs on their respective networks, but will my Mum's SIM definitely work in the Spiro or the Vodafone 540? Does anyone have any experience of trying?

I only ask because I seem to remember trying a Virgin SIM in a T-Mobile locked handset a while ago and it didn't work. Obviously not the same networks but similar in principle.

Thanks.

[finbaar]

As far as I know Voda do not lock their phones. My 5800 works fine with Virgin sim. Anyway unlocking can be done easily via a code for lots of phones and via a market stall if complicated.