iPhone 5 unlocked in Canada but not in U.S.? What?!

[DS Biggs]

My friend who lives in Canada recently sent me the iPhone 5 he was no longer using because he had just recently purchased a new iPhone 7. The phone he sent me is unlocked! He can and has used it with several different carriers over the years. Just recently I purchased one of the Straight Talk sim card and activation packages from Wal Mart. I have tried the AT&T, the Verizon and the T Mobil sim cards. All three tell me the phone is locked. How in the world can a phone be locked in the U.S. but not in Canada?

[ST - Felice]

Hi DS Biggs. My name is Straight Talk Felice. Please check your Forum inbox for a message.