What is an UNLOCKED GSM Cellphone?
and Do I Need to Get a Key?
When purchased from a wireless carrier, such as Cingular or T-Mobile, a GSM cell phone will typically come with a "subsidy-lock" or "sub-lock" code. These software codes are installed in the handsets during the manufacturing process in order to prevent consumers from using a phone purchased from one carrier on another carrier's network.
The logic here is that when selling the phone to a consumer, the carrier subsidized the cost of the phone. Free phones are the perfect example of this strategy. Intuitively, consumers know wireless phones are not free to manufacture, but will nevertheless be tempted by the prospect of not having to actually pay money for a new cell phone. The difference between what a consumer pays for a cell phone versus what it actually cost the carrier (always more) is called the subsidy, and to protect their "investment" carriers lock the phones to only work on their network.
Yes, this is kind of a shady thing for carriers to do as consumers do have to sign up for two years of service or pay a hefty cancellation fee in order to get the "free" phone, but it is not illegal.
However, for every lock there is a key. All of these phones with subsidy locks can be unlocked by third party companies using specialized devices. Unlocked GSM cell phones can then be placed in service with any compatible carrier, allowing the consumer a much wider range of choice.
Unlocking GSM cell phones is completely legal in all 50 states and the service is pretty easy to come by. Simply do a Google search for Unlock GSM Cell Phones and examine your choices.
TO RECYCLE YOUR CELLPHONES AND GET PAID FOR IT, VISIT: SellyourCell.com
When purchased from a wireless carrier, such as Cingular or T-Mobile, a GSM cell phone will typically come with a "subsidy-lock" or "sub-lock" code. These software codes are installed in the handsets during the manufacturing process in order to prevent consumers from using a phone purchased from one carrier on another carrier's network.
The logic here is that when selling the phone to a consumer, the carrier subsidized the cost of the phone. Free phones are the perfect example of this strategy. Intuitively, consumers know wireless phones are not free to manufacture, but will nevertheless be tempted by the prospect of not having to actually pay money for a new cell phone. The difference between what a consumer pays for a cell phone versus what it actually cost the carrier (always more) is called the subsidy, and to protect their "investment" carriers lock the phones to only work on their network.
Yes, this is kind of a shady thing for carriers to do as consumers do have to sign up for two years of service or pay a hefty cancellation fee in order to get the "free" phone, but it is not illegal.
However, for every lock there is a key. All of these phones with subsidy locks can be unlocked by third party companies using specialized devices. Unlocked GSM cell phones can then be placed in service with any compatible carrier, allowing the consumer a much wider range of choice.
Unlocking GSM cell phones is completely legal in all 50 states and the service is pretty easy to come by. Simply do a Google search for Unlock GSM Cell Phones and examine your choices.
TO RECYCLE YOUR CELLPHONES AND GET PAID FOR IT, VISIT: SellyourCell.com
Labels: cellphones, cellular, cingular, gsm, locked, orange, phone, t-mobile, unlocked
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