Simple question i hope.......my head is spinning

[NY-Boy]

My first post so please be gentle with me .
I have been reading on these forums for about 6 months now and have finally come across some thing i hope i can get a simple answer for.
If i walk into a UK apple store tomorrow morning and buy an iphone can i unlock it to use on a PAYG O2 sim. I have read through a lot of the threads on here and also other mac forums trying to find a straight forward answer. I have read a lot of opinions but cant find a simple answer, i am not bothered for the moment about installing any further applications i just want to use the phone and dabble at a later date with the apps side of it.

Any one help in plain english please as my head hurts

Thanks in advance

 

[DenniZ]

Yes it can be downgraded from 1.1.2 to 1.0.2 will make it able to be used with any 02 sim card.

 

[NY-Boy]

Thanks for that , step one. So i down grade my firmware,would that be via the itunes and what would be advised to unlock the phone after it has been downgraded

 

[DenniZ]

two guides you pick the one that is easier

http://www.modmyifone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15837

http://hackint0sh.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15849 (prefer this one)