Before we begin I feel that it is important to explain that only some kinds of phones can be unlocked. Specifically phones that are compatible with the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network and have SIM Cards. GSM phones contain a small, removable card, known as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module). This SIM Card is programmed with your carrier’s subscription information and it stores your phonebook information. A SIM card can be removed and placed into another GSM phone, allowing you to quickly switch handsets while keeping your contacts and carrier’s subscription information.
Now that we have cleared that up and you find that you fall into the proper category to be a candidate for an unlocked cell phone read on…
If you are a customer of any of the many wireless carriers that are using GSM SIM Card technology, including but not limited to such carriers as AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile and Alltel, and your contract is expired or about to expire you might be hesitant to take the leap of signing a new 2 year contract just to get a small discount on a new phone (or perhaps a really cheap free phone). Read more...
The concept of unlocked cell phones goes like this. Carriers that operate on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) such as Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile use a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card. The SIM card is a microchip that stores subscriber data. It is issued by a carrier and provides cell service by activating any phone into which it is inserted.
A locked phone, as we are used to, will only recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier. An unlocked cell phone, on the other hand, will recognize a SIM card from any carrier. If this sounds like a new thing to you, it really isn’t. In fact, in Asia, about 80% of cell phones are sold unlocked. And in Europe, roughly 70% of cell phones are sold independently of a carrier. Only in US from 90% to 95% of cell phones are locked to a mobile service provider.
Why? Because the carriers subsidize the cost of handsets. Operators usually knock off $50 to $80 from the cost of the phone. This has greatly expanded the market by making phones more affordable but it has also given mobile operators complete control on the cell phones they sell or give away for free. Read more...
Since unlocking mobile phones today is very common there are also a lot of methods on how to do it. It is also available in almost all regular shops, online and even from service providers. One way to have an unlocked cell phone is by acquiring an unlock code. Unlock codes can be ordered in the Internet, service providers and from regular or third-party shops. To unlock a cell phone with the use of an unlock code look for the unlock option on you cell phone. When choosing this option you will be required to enter the unlock code and in a few minutes the lock status of the cell phone will be changed to unlock.
Another way to unlock cell phones is to bring it in a regular shop that offers unlocking services for cell phones. The expert technician will use a special software application which is used to connect to the cell phone. Once it is connected the technician will configure the software to unlock the cell phone. There are settings on cell phone that is changed to make the phone unlocked. The danger of this is that some cell phones stop working properly because some settings are changed. There are functions that the user is not able to use because it will not work with other SIM cards from other carriers. But nonetheless this does not happen to mobile phones manufactured by the major telecommunications company when it is unlocked. Read more...
Product Description
A 3.2 inch TFT touch screen dual SIM card (it supports two phone numbers via 2 sim cards in this device) smartphone with many cool features like gravity sensor, flow touch control, JAVA, MP3 & MP4 Player, FM Radio and 1.3 MP Camera with video recording. This phone is completely unlocked for worldwide use, and can be used with all major GSM carriers including AT&T, Cingular, Cellular One, T-Mobile, TracFone, Cellular One, etc. It includes a free 2GB TF card which can… More >>
i68+ Touch Screen Cell Phone w MP3/MP4 1.3MP Camera & FM
Product Description
A 3.2 inch TFT touch screen dual SIM card (it supports two phone numbers via 2 sim cards in this device) smartphone with many cool features like gravity sensor, flow touch control, JAVA, MP3 & MP4 Player, FM Radio and 1.3 MP Camera with video recording. This phone is completely unlocked for worldwide use, and can be used with all major GSM carriers including AT&T, Cingular, Cellular One, T-Mobile, TracFone, Cellular One, etc. It includes a free 2GB TF card which can… More >>
i68+ Touch Screen Cell Phone w MP3/MP4 1.3MP Camera & FM
Product Description
A 3.2 inch TFT touch screen dual SIM card (it supports two phone numbers via 2 sim cards in this device) smartphone with many cool features like gravity sensor, flow touch control, JAVA, MP3 & MP4 Player, FM Radio and 1.3 MP Camera with video recording. This phone is completely unlocked for worldwide use, and can be used with all major GSM carriers including AT&T, Cingular, Cellular One, T-Mobile, TracFone, Cellular One, etc. It includes a free 2GB TF card which can… More >>
i68+ Touch Screen Cell Phone w MP3/MP4 1.3MP Camera & FM
