What is unlocked for a phone?

Answer 1

An unlocked cell phone is one that is not branded with any particular company, such as Suncom, T-mobile, or Cingular. Most unlocked cell phones are GSM which means that they work on the above listed companies or basically any company that requires a SIM card. The advantage to unlocked phones is that they benefit those who travel overseas as you can purchase overseas cell phone plans and use the SIM cards they provide. The cost of unlocking a cell phone usually ranges from 20 to 40 depending upon who you get to do it. You can also find unlocking tools on the internet but not all are reliable. The best place to find really great unlocked gsm phones is on www.unlockphones.biz I hope this helps :)

Answer 2

It means it can be used with any provider. You have to go to a provider and purchase a card for the phone so it will be on the Verizon or AT&T or whatever service.

Some cellular phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, or 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 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.

Answer 3

Hello,

The demand for unlocked GSM cell phones in the United States is rising steadily as consumers insist upon more choice. Unlocked GSM phones allow users to take the SIM card out of their phone and insert it into another SIM-based phone without losing any information. In essence, the phone's soul is the same but its body is different. This is beneficial because users can change carriers with ease. They can also use their current carrier in a new phone simply by changing the SIM card. Easy and fast, and it is these two characteristics that makes unlocked cell phones appeal to American consumers.

Unlocked GSM mobile phones offer even more choice. Most of the world uses the GSM network, and many parts of the United States do as well. International travelers can feel confident that their phone will work anywhere they go. International prepaid SIM cards are available and give users a local telephone number. This way they avoid costly roaming charges while overseas. Tri- and quad band phones make using the phone in the United States, which uses different frequencies, and elsewhere in the world possible.

If you know you want and/or need an unlocked GSM world phone, the first thing to do is a little research online. The internet is a great resource and will provide information on the GSM network, how it works, which carriers use the network, and which models of phones can accommodated your needs. You can then purchase a phone online. Buying an unlocked GSM cell phone saves you from having to unlock it yourself, which will cost more money and create more hassle.

A potential downside is that the phone you buy will be more expensive. When you buy a phone from a carrier, you're really paying for the plan. They are able to offer big discounts or even free phones if you sign up for their service plans. Because these phones require no service plan to be purchased, they are not subsidized by the carriers. You'll pay close to retail price, but you won't have contractual obligations. You won't be stuck with a carrier who no longer meets your needs.

You can also unlock some GSM cell phones even if they were purchased locked. Sometimes after the initial contract has expired, the carrier will allow the phone to be unlocked. This means you can then insert a SIM card from another carrier or phone and you're ready to go. The carrier will probably charge fee for providing the unlocking code. Unlocking your phone after the contract has expired is legal. If your carrier will not do it for you, you can use online services.

The easiest way to unlock a phone - one that is unlockable, some are not - is to have someone do it. There are a lot of services that will unlock your GSM cell phone for a fee. This can be around $30-$35, but if you are able to switch carriers as a result, it may be worth the cost to you. You can find unlocking services on the internet.

You'll need the correct code to unlock your phone. If you illegally hack into it, you may disable the phone altogether. It will also void the warranty.

If you encounter resistance from your cell phone carrier about unlocking your phone, don't be intimidated. It is legal to unlock your phone after you've met the initial contractual obligations.

The US Copyright Office provided the exemption that allowed cell phone unlocking. In their report, it states:

The underlying activity sought to be performed by the owner of the handset is to allow the handset to do what it was manufactured to do-lawfully connect to any carrier. This is a noninfringing activity by the user... The purpose of the software lock appears to be limited to restricting the owner's use of the mobile handset to support a business model, rather than to protect access to a copyrighted work itself.

In other words, the only reason that carriers were locking phones was to make money. It has nothing to do with copyright infringement.

If you're in the market for a new phone, try an unlocked GSM cell phone. You can use it anywhere in the world and with any GMS carrier. You can switch carriers when you like. If you have a phone that is currently locked, you may find that you'd be better served by an unlocked cellular phone. Check with the carrier for information regarding unlocking it. If that doesn't work (carriers aren't obligated to help you unlock your phone), try an unlocking service or purchase an unlocked cell phone online.

Answer 4

unlocked cell phones represent total freedom from the restrictions that carriers place on the cell phones. Utilizing unlocked cell phones is a step toward taking technology into your own hands and making it personal. It doesn't require a huge breadth of knowledge to understand because the science behind it can be broken down into easy definable categories..

There are lots of online websites for unlocked cell phones like cellhut, amazon.

Answer 5

Unlocked generally means that either the keypad has been unlocked, and you can use the phone

or,

that possibly a fee has been paid (generally if it has been purchased within 2 years ago there is a fee), and the phone can be used with sim cards from other carriers.

Answer 6

An unlocked cell phone is a phone that can work with a SIM card from any carrier. This means that you can choose any cell phone carrier that you want instead of being forced to go with a particular cell carrier. Generally, locked cell phones can only work with a particular cell phone carrier.

Answer 7

The concept behind an unlocked cell phone is quite simple, but still, it is not uncommon for people to be confused. If you understand what a locked cell phone is, it will be easier to understand the concept of an un-locked cell phone. When you sign up for a plan with a cell phone provider, they usually offer a free or low cost phone along with it. This phone is said to be locked into the carrier’s plan. This means that the phone will only work with a specific type of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card. As a result, you will have to activate a locked phone within a specific network. If you want to change cell phone providers, you will need to get a new phone.

If your phone is unlocked, it can work with any provider’s SIM card. When you change cell phone providers, all you have to do is change the SIM card. It is a very smooth transition.

It is obvious to see why cell phone providers choose to lock their phones. This way, their customers are less likely to go to a competitor because they would also have to get a new phone. In contrast, an unlocked phone can be used for as long as the customer wants – even if they change carriers as often as three times in a year. Unfortunately, you will not be able to get an unlocked phone for free with a plan: the cell phone provider simply has too much to lose. Because of this, an unlocked phone will be more of an upfront expense. However, keep in mind that it can save you money over time. If you are the type of person who is happy with a basic, functional phone, you will save money by keeping the same unlocked phone for years.

At this point, locked phones are much more popular in the US than unlocked phones. However, this is not the case in other parts of the world. In much of the world, cell phone users enjoy the freedom of using an unlocked phone without any carrier restrictions. Fortunately, the US is catching up. Unlocked phones are becoming more popular, and as they do, the prices will begin to drop.

Answer 8

Mobiles are usually shipped 'locked' to a specific network. It's possible to 'unlock' the phone so it's able to be used on any network.

Answer 9

A phone which can be 'unlocked' to go on another network for example if you're on 02 and want to go on Virgin you will have to get your phone unlocked to be able to move to Virgin.

Answer 10

An unlocked iPhone is being able to use your iPhone with any carrier not just one carrier like AT&T in America.