Facts to Consider Before Purchasing an Unlocked Cell Phone

First let’s look at what an unlocked cell phone is. Some cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module card or SIM card for short. A SIM card is a 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 cell 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. This is done by the major carriers to ensure you don’t get a FREE cell phone under a two-year contract and then not pay on the contract and use that cell phone with another provider. It is in this way that the cell phone providers can justify giving individuals a FREE cell phone that would have otherwise cost the consumer money.

There are plenty of places that sell unlocked cell phones but simply buying one of these phones does not guarantee that it will work with your carrier. Before buying an unlocked cell phone, you have to know what network your cellular provider operates on. There are two here in the United States. The first is Global Systems for Mobile Communications or GSM for short. If your cell phone has a SIM card, your provider uses GSM. Currently carriers on the GSM network include, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile. Typically if you buy an unlocked cell phone any SIM card should work equally as well in that phone regardless of the provider. The other network is called Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA for short. CDMA phones do not have a SIM card and thus even if you purchase an unlocked CDMA cell phone you still have to get your carrier to activate it for you. The drawback here is that the provider still decides if you can use a specific cell phone. Currently carriers using CDMA in the United States include Verizon Wireless, Alltel Wireless and Sprint PCS.

The easiest way to determine if your provider will let you use an unlocked cell phone you have your eye on is to simply call them. Every provider has an 800 number that can be obtained by simply going to their web site. This is especially important for anyone who is considering buying an unlocked CDMA cell phone.

Unlocked cell phones have become so in demand that there are now companies out there that will unlock your cell phone for a fee. The fee varies by company and again may or may not free up your cell phone to be used elsewhere. There are also numerous hacking sites on the web that will show you how to unlock your phone, but be warned, the carriers will render a cell phone that is determined to be unlocked improperly inoperable. If you want an unlocked cell phone, the best thing to do is to buy one from a reputable company.

Now that you know the facts, start looking for your dream cell phone. Remember it is probably best to leave your locked cell phone alone and look elsewhere for an unlocked cell phone that will work best with your GSM (if you have a SIM card) or CDMA cell phone. Avoid the places that tell you any unlocked phone will work with any carrier and be sure to double-check with your provider before you finalize your purchase. It’s your money, spend it wisely.