Unlocked Cell Phones
Posted on February 19, 2008
Filed Under cell phones | 1 Comment
Unlocked cell phone sales are big business today. If you do not understand what an unlocked cell phone is you are not alone. They are for sale everywhere on the internet. Unfortunately, most of the sites do not explain what an unlocked phone is.
Almost every phone sold today utilizes a SIM card. A SIM card is a subscriber identification module. It stores your subscriber data, such as your phone numbers and address book. The card is usually issued by the carrier and activates any phone that it is inserted into. This is where the Lock and Unlock comes in. Here is what that means:
- Locked Phone: A locked phone will only accept a subscriber identification module from a particular carrier.
- Unlocked Phone: This phone will accept a subscriber identification module from any carrier.
The “lock” part is a piece of software in the phone that keeps the phone loyal to one particular carrier. What is the advantage for you to have an unlocked phone? You may have a phone that you just do not like anymore. Your phone may be damaged and not under a repair contract with your carrier. The phone may not have many of the features that new phones have.
There are many advantages to having an unlocked phone. You may even change carriers and want to keep your phone. If it is unlocked you will be able to do that. Unlocked phones are not cheaper. You can get a discounted phone for signing up for a long contract with a carrier. The popularity of unlocked phones has created a host of companies that will unlock your phone for you. They will unlock your phone for a fee. If you search the internet you will even find instructions to unlock most phones.
Be careful! Using these instructions improperly can render your phone useless. These instructions are usually considered “hacking” your phone. Unlocked cell phones are nice to have. Good luck with your venture into the unlocked cell phone foray.
Comments
One Response to “Unlocked Cell Phones”
Leave a Reply
If you’re looking for a new phone anyway, why not buy it already unlocked? That way you’ll save yourself the hassle of getting your phone unlocked later.