Unlocked Cell phones

[jimevans]

Forgive me for being a "newbie" to the world of insider cell phone technology, but does anyone know what an "unlocked" cell phone is? does this have to do with using a cell phone with a provider that it was not intentionally designed for? Like using a iPhone on a non-Att network. Is this possible?

[tim]

Most phones are locked onto the cellular network of the provider that sells them. However, it is possible to buy unlocked cell phones that will work on any cellular network. Also, it may be possible to unlock a cell phone that was locked on a certain network, however the cellular provider and phone manufacturers usually don't like you do to this.

[jimevans]

Thanks for the info, I don't really see the big deal now that is is explained to me. Maybe it was just the the scores of "unlocked iphones" websites I used to see. I guess since other companies have similar phones now, the unlocked cell phone idea is not as popular anymore.

[tim]

I guess the main purpose would be if you are moving from one provider to the other, and want to keep your same phone. If it was locked, you would have to buy a new phone from your new provider.

Also sometimes when people travel they like to buy a local account and just use their same phone by swapping the SIM card. With an unlocked phone you can do this easily. If the phone is locked, you either need to buy a new phone or just pay the expensive roaming rates.

[twinkie2010]

Hello there,
Unlocked phone means that it can work with any GSM network. And a locked phone can't do so.. CDMA locked phones can't be unlocked. Moreover, you can't use GSM unlocked phones for CDMA network. And the best way of unlocking your cell phones is by using the code method. You will be able to unlock all your GSM locked phones here http://www.wickedunlock.com/ . All you need to do is to check the availability of your mobile model and service provider.
Cheers!

[BestOnlineResearcher]

You should always check to see if a phone is unlocked before you purchase it from the main store or secondhand. You may want to contact the provider first since not all current owners may be aware of their phone's status.

[Birida]

You can also unlock a phone if you are travelling to another country

[FarmerBrown]

Is it easy to unlock a phone and can any phone be unlocked?

[mcamaster]

The mobile phone manufacturers have the capability built into mobile phones . Network providers use this capability to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers. generally phones can be locked to accept specific network providers sim cards and not all things. This can be easily unlocked by using the codes provided by the unlock service providers