Unlock Cell Phones » Mobile Communication

How to Unlock a Cell Phone – A Step by Step Guide

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:49:19 +0000

There are two major communication systems used for cell phones. The CDMA system is a coded response system that ties a phone and its user together to a particular system and to a particular number. The CDMA system is widely used in the United States and a few other countries in the World. The second system is known as GSM. This stands for the Global System for Mobile Communication. The GSM system is becoming more popular in the United States and is the common standard in over two hundred other countries in the World.

The GSM cell phone uses a SIM card to communicate with a particular network. The network providers have the ability to lock the cell phone so that it will not respond to a SIM card from an alternate provider. They do this for competitive purposes, but the practice is deemed unfair by many. When the cell phone is purchased and owned an individual, he should have the ability to change the SIM card and use the phone on any network that he prefers to use. This allows the phone to be used when traveling, especially in foreign countries without paying excessive roaming charges.

So, the question is: how to unlock a cell phone? The first step is to determine the type of phone. If it is a CDMA phone, it does not use a SIM card and there is no need to unlock it. The second step, once you are sure it is a GSM phone, is to determine if it is really locked. The simple way to do this is to borrow a SIM card from a friend with a different service provider and see if this SIM card works in your phone. If you insert the new SIM card, and the phone thinks it is now your friend's phone, it is not locked. If it is locked, you will get some sort of error message.

The next step is to explore the internet and find a reputable company that provides the unlocking code. The company will charge a rather nominal fee to email you the code. The code merely needs to be keyed into the phone to unlock it. You will usually get a rather encouraging message from the phone itself, but in any case, you can test it by using another SIM card as you did in the previous determination process.

Unfortunately, some models of cell phones can not be unlocked with a simple code. The cell phone unlock service that provides the codes can determine if your model can be unlocked by code or not. If not, the phone needs to be connected to a piece of hardware via a USB cable to be unlocked. You will need to send the phone away to have this done although this can usually be done rather quickly in an emergency. You can all purchase the hardware and the unlocking software and do it yourself. This method might be the more expensive choice.

An unlocked cell phone is the basic right of its owner. The locking of a GSM phone to make it impossible to choose your own provider is an unfair practice. Fortunately, this is one injustice that can easily be corrected.

By: Natalie Aranda

Unlocking cell phone is a must!

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:31:35 +0000

Of late, lots of mobile phones are regularly hitting the market to fulfill the need of communication. There are two types of phones in the market - locked phones and unlocked phones.

CDMA or Code Division Multiple Access is designed predominantly as a standard network in America. In other words, you cannot switch user if your phone is locked or CDMA. What are unlocked phones and how do they work? Unlocked phones are the GSM phones which are used in every part of the world. GSM are locked in USA, Canada and many other countries as well as on T Mobile and ATT.

Unlike if you are using GSM or Global System for Mobile communication, here, you are free to access and switch to other users. If in case you are going to travel out of the country, you will just change the SIM or the Subscriber Identity Modules for you to access in different users.

The fine thing about unlocked phones is that you can contact many users as you want. Apart from that, it will aid in saving money because unlocked phones have low roaming rates. But, there is one problem while using unlocked phones.

That is you have to change your number when you travel to far places in order to contact your beloved ones. For businessman, it is an advantage as they experience fewer hassles in using the mobile phone while handling business transactions and in contacting people of their company.

There is a solution for every problem. There are different ways on unlocking mobile phones. It is legal but note that your provider is not responsible in unlocking your phone even if you asked for it. If you want to unlock your phone, then you have to ask an professional. Because of great demand, mobile phone companies regularly create and sell phones in the world market.

There are mobile phone operators who know how to unlock mobile phones. In some companies, there is an agreement that the customer must have an active account for 3 months before unlocking it. You can also call the customer care who will give the unlocking codes for the cell phone. The only thing that you are left with is to seek the help of a unlocking professional. You will be charged upto 100 dollars depending on your cell phone model.

When purchasing a phone, you have to see if it is locked or unlocked. Make a note of your phone needs before deciding to buy it. As you know that money is precious, you have to be cautious while buying any product.

By: Mukul Verma

Unlocked GSM cell phones to stay connected globally

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:17:24 +0000

Globalization has made this world a small place. People travel all over the world for personal and professional reasons. Staying connected to family, friends and business acquaintances is a requisite for the travelers. With the advancement of technology, the mobile manufacturers have come up with new mobiles to make our lives simpler.

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) are the two dominant technologies in mobile telephony. Currently, GSM has wider coverage and acceptance in the world. More that 150 countries in the world use Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology for mobile communication. There are four frequency bands that are used in different countries for the mobile operation. The mobile phone should operate according to the frequency used in that particular country for mobile communication. Locked phones are those that recognize SIM cards from a particular frequency that is being used. Hence it cannot be used globally. Unlocked GSM cell phones are a new revolution in the telecom world. These cell phones can recognize any carrier frequency. There is no difference in the hardware between locked and unlocked phones. In locked phones there is a software program that puts a lock on the frequency that is used being used by the operators in the region, whereas in the unlocked cell phones, a code provided by the carrier is used to unlock the cell phones. This enables the user to lock onto any frequency.

Unlocked cell phones are significant for the people who often travel abroad. Locked cell phone will not lock to the frequency that is being used in the country you are visiting whereas unlocked cell phones can switch over to the carrier frequency of the local operator of the country you are visiting and you can use the same cell phone.

In the market, wide range of unlocked GSM cell phones and SIM cards are available such as Motorola, Panasonic, and Samsung. Considering the several advantages of the unlocked GSM phones, different vendors are coming up with their range of phones that can provide flexibility, convenience and cost effectiveness to the user.

By: John

Cheap Unlocked Cell Phones: Switch Cell Phone Providers Without Losing Your Phone

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:12:49 +0000

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.

U.S. cellular operators have been slow to pick up some of Nokia Corp's high-end N-series phones, which offer high-mega pixel camera and a host of other features that are not found on many phones. This led Nokia to open stores in Chicago and New York to sell their unlocked phones. Getting unlocked cell phone gives you a freedom to choose among a variety of cell phones and their features without being locked into a new one or two-year contract.

Buying unlocked cell phones will turn to buying cheap unlocked cell phones if you travel overseas. Then you can buy prepaid SIM cards that are designed to work in the country you are visiting. This is cheaper than making out of the country calls through your cell phone carrier. You might even find the service more reliable.

Choosing to buy unlocked cell phones will give you a choice to switch cell phone providers without losing your phone. After all, if you have a perfectly good phone, why should you buy a new one? You can also give away your phone if you want to upgrade features or sell it and put the money towards your new unlocked cell phone.

By: Margarita Schwartzman

Cell Phone Unlocking – Simple Steps To Unlock Cell Phone

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:17:48 +0000

It is said the constant communication is every important especially these days. That is why useful gadgets like cell phones were spread all over the globe. Cell phones are categorized into two – the CDMA system and the GSM system. CDMA is a system in which it is coded into a particular network and number. These phones are therefore used just to secure and keep your number in private. Because of its significance, it is widely used by Americans. Actually almost 90 percent of the people in US are using this type of system. However, the only problem of this system is that you don’t have the chance to use other features and swap SIM from other networks. That’s the down side of it.

Meanwhile, the second type of system is known as GSM or Global System for Mobile Communication. This type of system is widely used in several countries especially in the Philippines, the SMS capital of the world. This type of system is also classified as unlocked phones. You know the good thing about this system is that you will have the chance to avail features from other networks. GSM utilizes a so called SIM or Subscriber Identity Module in order to access with a particular network. In addition to that, GSM also allows unlocking phones which allows you to contact several numbers from other network. However, for some individuals this practice is not fair especially for those who are using locked phones of CDMA system.

But the very common question for many is how to unlock cell phone. Well, the first thing that you should do is to determine whether your phone uses CDMA or GSM system. In the event that you found up that you phone is locked, maybe you can read the user’s manual which may give you the code unlocked your phone. These days, steps in unlocking cell phones are no longer available in the internet. All you have to do is to search for a trusted company that contains the things that you are looking for.

Basically, for you to unlock cell phone, you have to encode the codes sent by the service provider. Once you input the right code you will received a confirmation from the services provider saying that the code is validated. In the event that you have no idea on how to do it, maybe you can just go to the nearest cell phone shops that might have the idea on how to do it. Or if you want maybe you can just repeat the process that you’ve did in the previous. Although is legal to unlock cell phones yet the manufacturer or the service provider is not responsible for any damage that might happen in your phone.

In unlocking phones please bear in mind that is will cost for about $20 to $40 dollars. In some instances, it is also advised to determine the system of your phone just to assure safe and effective usage. You know unlocking phone sounds like convenient for the users. But, it will take a couple of money just to do it. So, for most of the individuals, it still remains a bad thing.

By: Mukul Verma

What You Need To Know About Used Unlocked Cell Phones

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:20:40 +0000

Imagine this scenario; you arranged a dinner blind date at 6PM. You are very excited what hearing nice refutation about this sweet lady you are going to meet for the first time. And then clock starts to strike six but she is still not there. So you pull out your phone and starts calling her over. Poof! Her phone network is not like yours. And then a message says, phone locked! What a bummer!

Indeed things like this happens and sometimes it is even on your precious thing called cell phone. Does locked cell phone ring a bell? Yes, it does. In technical term, it is called carrier lock, also known as a SIM lock or subsidy lock. So how does this happen and what to do? Let us discuss a bit about cell phone network systems.

There are two major communication systems used for cell phones, CDMA and GSM. CDMA system is a coded response that ties a phone and its user together to a particular system and to a particular number. CDMA is more popular in the United States.

GSM, which stands for the Global System for Mobile Communication, is the common standard in over 200 other countries in the World and is becoming more popular in the United States. GSM cell phone uses a SIM card to communicate with a particular network. The network provider has the option (and it uses this option often) to lock the phone so that it will not respond to a SIM card from an alternate provider. Network providers do this obviously for competitive purposes, but many have cried foul over this seemingly unfair practice. When the cell phone is purchased by an individual, he should have the ability to change the SIM card and use the unit on any network that he prefers to use. This gives the phone owner the power to use the same phone when traveling, especially in foreign countries without paying expensive roaming charges.

And so we are done with understanding how a locked cell phone occurs. So what to do when it happens? There are basically three ways and each of them demand excruciating amount of time to know your phone more and its system, search for help over the Net and then make calls you get the drift. So here is a better solution.

If you are still thinking of buying a cell phone, there is no need to worry about the unfair practice by network providers to lock your phone down. While it is possible to unlock a cell phone, many people opt to buy unlocked cell phones. Yes, you have that choice! The truth of it all is that there is tremendous competition between the various mobile phone service providers. Ergo, phone companies are most likely to lock you into using their service and this is the purpose for locking them. When you own an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose your own service - the stuff you need and the stuff that you just want.

GSM phones are invariably easier to unlock as compared to CDMA phones. But then again, in either case, buying an unlocked mobile phone makes more sense than purchasing a phone and then going through the problem of unlocking it later. So let us make the equation simple from hereon, buying unlocked phones is the only way to do. But before you take out cash from your pocket, ask the seller and make sure that they truly understand what it is you are asking of them. Once you have your unlocked phone, it is an easy matter to determine if it is truly unlocked. All you need to do is try it out and the phone will tell you its status. If it is unlocked you will be capable to use it to connect with whatever service you wish to use.

By: Matthew Stanton

Unlocked Cell Phones: Break Away From the Ordinary

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:51:12 +0000

don't realize that something happens even on your treasured thing called cell phone. Does locked cell phone ever give a ring? But no, this is not that sort of lock in the keypad that is very simple to remove. This is about the carrier lock in your cell phone, otherwise known as a SIM lock or subsidy lock. So when does this occur and what should you do? Let's first understand some technicalities on a cell phone system...

CDMA and GSM are two major communication systems used for cell phones. CDMA is a coded response system that binds a phone and its user together to a specific system and to a specific number. CDMA is prevailing in the United States.

GSM, which stands for the Global System for Mobile Communication, is the usual standard in over 200 other countries in the World and is prevailing in the United States. GSM cell phone uses a SIM card to communicate with a particular network. The network provider has the ability to lock the phone so that it will not respond to a SIM card from an alternate provider. Network providers do this apparently for competitive purposes, but many have complained against this unfair pattern. When the cell phone is purchased by an individual, he should have the ability to change the SIM card and use the unit on any network that he prefers to use. This gives him the power to use the same phone when traveling, especially in foreign countries without paying expensive roaming charges.

We're done with understanding how a locked cell phone occurs, so what to do after it happens? There are basically three ways and each of them demand excruciating amount of time to know your phone more and its system, search for help over the Net and then make call... you get the drift. So here's a better solution.

If you are still in the process of buying a cell phone, prevention is better than cure. While it is conceivable to unlock a cell phone, different persons choose to buy unlocked cell phones. Yes, you have that choice! The truth of the matter's that there is tremendous competition between the various mobile phone service providers. Thus, phone companies are most anxious to lock you into using their service and this is the purpose for locking them. When you own an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose your own service - the stuff you need and the stuff that you just want.

GSM phones are easier to unlock compared to CDMA phones. But then again, in either case, it is better to purchase an unlocked mobile phone than buying a phone and go through the dilemma of unlocking it later. So let's make the equation simple from hereon, buying unlocked phones is the only way to go. And before you take out cash from your pocket, ask the seller and make sure that they truly understand what it is you are asking of them. Once you have your unlocked phone, it is an easy matter to determine if it is truly unlocked. All you need to do is try it out and the phone will tell you its status. If it is unlocked you will be capable to use it to connect with whatever service you wish to use.

By: Brad Robinson