| What Is An Unlocked
Cell Phone
First of all, a "locked" cell phone only recognizes
a SIM card from a particular carrier. This "lock" is
software that makes sure that only that particular carrier
is recognized.
An unlocked cell phone is a GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communications) cellular phone that
has been "unlocked" so
that they will work with any SIM (Subscriber Information
Module) card that you want to install. This allows you
to plug in a different SIM card for different cellular
service providers.
Most cell phones that you buy have a unique serial number
for that particular phone. This allows the cell phone service
provider to know who you are and where to send calls when
someone calls your cell phone.
On the other hand, a GSM phone is not linked directly
to you. It has a removable SIM with a unique serial number.
The serial number in the SIM is what identifies you to
the service provider.
Now, all you have to do is install your SIM into any compatible
GSM phone and you will be able to use it as your phone.
Your wireless provider can find your SIM and doesn't care
what phone it's in.
Why would you want to unlock your GSM phone?
* If you want to change your wireless service provider
but you want to keep your phone
* You bought a new phone but would like to keep your old
phone to use in case of an emergency
* You plan to travel internationally and don't want to
pay the high international rates that your present wireless
service provider charges
You can buy an unlocked cell phone from a number of places
on the Internet. Just understand that you are probably
going to pay a lot more for the phone since most of the
US carriers offer free or discounted phones when you purchase
one of their plans.
You can also find companies on the Internet that will
unlock your current phone for a fee.
Once you have an unlocked GSM cell phone, it should work
well with any carrier that uses SIM cards. |
