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Brooke Coin asked:


Any mobile phone is using a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card. This is used to store data from the mobile phone such as text messages, images and even videos. The mobile phone will be useless without a SIM card because it is like the heart of the phone where major functions and operations happen. But with every mobile phone there is a designated carrier that is why when you buy a mobile phone a SIM card from a specific carrier is provided to you. When you use a SIM card from another carrier it will not work this is what they call a “locked phone”. But if you have an unlocked cell phone you can use any SIM card from any carrier.

Usually when you acquire for a cell plan, then the phone that comes bundled with it is a locked phone. This is usually the strategy because according to carriers it is a way for them to finance the cost of expensive cell phones. Since we have the access now to different software and advanced technology locked phone can be unlocked cell phone already. But unlocking the cell phone must be performed by an experienced technician because the cell phone may not operate properly if the proprietary settings are changed.

Unlocked cell phone can use SIM cards in different countries while locked cell phone can only be used in one country which depends on the carrier. Unlocking a phone can be done by entering an unlock code which can either be specified by the carrier of the SIM or mobile phone provider. There are also software applications that can be used to unlock cell phones. The unlock code used is referred to as the network coded key or master code. Once the unlock code is entered it will then be stored in the mobile phone so the unlocked cell phone can still fully function. Another way of unlocking the cell phone is by sending it to a company that offers unlocking services. When the phone is unlocked it will then be sent back to the owner.

Unlocked cell phone is very beneficial to people who are always traveling. It is expensive to be always changing SIM cards when you are in a different country. Though, even without changing the SIM card the mobile phone can still be an unlocked cell phone and this can be done through a special software application or device. Though, unlocking cell phones are popular today there are legalities involved. Such as in countries like Poland, unlocked cell phone is legal providing that the cell phone’s IMEI number is not modified during the process of unlocking. In Netherlands, unlocking cell phone is also legal but the flash memory of the mobile phone must not be overwritten with copyrighted firmware. In the United States, before it was a crime to unlock cell phones, but after some time particularly in November 27, 2006 unlocking cell phones was legalized. Unlocked cell phone is only allowed for three years but it can still be renewed.

Ron Wicker asked:


When someone signs up for a new cell carrier plan, they often get a phone at a free or reduced rate with their contract. The cell phones that come with a carrier contract are almost always locked cell phones. This means that they only work with that specific carrier’s Subscriber Identification Module, or SIM, card, a microchip inserted into the phone to activate service. To put it simply, that person can only use that phone while still subscribed to that carrier’s network and, if they want to change carriers, they have to get a new phone.

An unlocked cell phone will work with any carrier’s SIM card. If an individual changes carriers, they simply have to insert a new SIM card into their unlocked cell phone, and the phone will be able to access that carrier’s network.

Cell phone carriers use locked cell phones to their advantage. By locking the cell phones and offering them as part of their contract, they retain more customers. The customer cannot change carriers without getting a new phone and possibly spending more money. Because certain carriers may have contracts with specific cell phone manufacturers, a customer may not be able to get the phone they want with the plan they have. The carriers argue that locking the phones helps them offer the phones at a discounted rate. Still, these phones leave the customer with few options.

An unlocked phone, on the other hand, can be used for years, even if the customer decides to change carriers. The customer has more options as to the type and style of cell phone they choose because they are not pinned down to the phones offered by their carrier. While the customer will have to buy the unlocked phone outright, perhaps spending more money initially, over time, they actually save more money. Plus, unlocked cell phones are much more convenient.

Unlocked cell phones are offered by third parties and are not connected with the carrier companies. On occasion, a cell carrier will unlock a locked phone after a period of time, but these previously locked phones don’t always work with all SIM cards, even once they’re unlocked. As unlocked cell phones become more popular, the overall price of phones should come down.

The U.S. is far behind the rest of the worl in unlocked cell phone sales. In other countries, the majority of cell phones sold are unlocked. In the United States, the majority are sold with contracts and are locked into a certain carrier. This is slowly changing and within a decade unlocked phones shouls surpass locked phone sales.

Jimmy Collins asked:


One of the most asked questions we receive at Search4cellphonedeals.com is can I use any unlocked cell phone for my carrier?  The short answer is, no you cannot.  There are several things to consider before you run out and buy an unlocked cell phone.

First let’s look at what an unlocked cell phone is.  Some cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module card or SIM card for short.  A SIM card is a microchip that stores subscriber data.  The SIM card is issued by a carrier and provides cell service by activating any phone into which it is inserted.  A locked cell phone, however, will only recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier.  If the cell phone is unlocked, it will recognize a SIM card from any carrier.  The “lock” is a software setting that keeps the cell phone “loyal” to one carrier.  This is done by the major carriers to ensure you don’t get a FREE cell phone under a two-year contract and then not pay on the contract and use that cell phone with another provider.  It is in this way that the cell phone providers can justify giving individuals a FREE cell phone that would have otherwise cost the consumer money.

There are plenty of places that sell unlocked cell phones but simply buying one of these phones does not guarantee that it will work with your carrier.  Before buying an unlocked cell phone, you have to know what network your cellular provider operates on.  There are two here in the United States.  The first is Global Systems for Mobile Communications or GSM for short.  If your cell phone has a SIM card, your provider uses GSM.  Currently carriers on the GSM network include, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile.  Typically if you buy an unlocked cell phone any SIM card should work equally as well in that phone regardless of the provider.  The other network is called Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA for short.  CDMA phones do not have a SIM card and thus even if you purchase an unlocked CDMA cell phone you still have to get your carrier to activate it for you.  The drawback here is that the provider still decides if you can use a specific cell phone.  Currently carriers using CDMA in the United States include Verizon Wireless, Alltel Wireless and Sprint PCS.

The easiest way to determine if your provider will let you use an unlocked cell phone you have your eye on is to simply call them.  Every provider has an 800 number that can be obtained by simply going to their web site.  This is especially important for anyone who is considering buying an unlocked CDMA cell phone.

Unlocked cell phones have become so in demand that there are now companies out there that will unlock your cell phone for a fee.  The fee varies by company and again may or may not free up your cell phone to be used elsewhere.  There are also numerous hacking sites on the web that will show you how to unlock your phone, but be warned, the carriers will render a cell phone that is determined to be unlocked improperly inoperable.  If you want an unlocked cell phone, the best thing to do is to buy one from a reputable company. 

Now that you know the facts, start looking for your dream cell phone.  Remember it is probably best to leave your locked cell phone alone and look elsewhere for an unlocked cell phone that will work best with your GSM (if you have a SIM card) or CDMA cell phone.  Avoid the places that tell you any unlocked phone will work with any carrier and be sure to double-check with your provider before you finalize your purchase.  It’s your money, spend it wisely.

For more information or to find out where to purchase unlocked cell phones, please visit http://www.search4cellphonedeals.com/New_and_Refurbished_Unlocked_Cell_Phones.html