Can I unlock a Nokia RM945 to accept other network SIMs?

[stephen5000]

A while ago I bought my mum a very basic Nokia RM945 from the EE shop (when they use to be open), but she hasn't used it since initial lockdown. Obviously the SIM has now expired and on phoning EE they said it can't be reactivated. I have also discovered now that to stay active, it needs to be topped up with a minimum of £10, every 12 weeks, this is just far too frequent, and far too much. She only ever used it as an emergency phone in the car to use in case of breakdown. 

I'll need to look elsewhere for a more suitable SIM, and am looking to unlock the phone. Can it be unlocked, or is it just landfill?

[XRaySpeX]

EE PAYG SIMs can be used as normal PAYG w/out having to top-up frequently.

You can just apply to unlock using the Unlocking your device form as the PAYG option and giving the mobile number that it originally came with. 

[stephen5000]

"EE PAYG SIMs can be used as normal PAYG w/out having to top-up frequently."

It was the EE customer assistant that told me it needed topped up every 12 weeks otherwise it would deactivate again.

Have followed the unlocking link and get the following message, "Sorry - we can't unlock this phone as we don't recognise it as being locked to EE, Orange or T-Mobile. .."

Now, in theory, maybe it is unlocked, but I assumed that EE sold all their cheapo phones locked? Also, I have no way to test it is unlocked as I only have EE SIM cards. I suppose I'll just have to wait till the government puts their big boy pants on and allow shops to open again...

[XRaySpeX]

You don't need to top-up PAYG nos. v. often. All you need to do is send a chargeable text within every 6 months out of your standing credit which just reduces by the cost of a text but carries on.

You can't tell whether it's unlocked until you try another network's SIM, like O2. You could just get a free PAYG SIM from them.