Unlocked Cell Phones

Unlocked Cell Phones

What is an unlocked cell phone: A cellphone in which the lock added by the selling wireless company is removed to allow that cell phone to work on any gsm carrier that uses a SIM card.

Why do carriers lock cellphones: Wireless carriers often lock phones when they sell phones to clients for extremely discounted prices and that the phone only works with their company so that the client remains with the company long enough to ensure profitability off the phone. Sometimes after a certain period of time has passed, some wireless carriers will unlock the phone at the clients request usually after a two or three year contract has passed.

What are the advantages of having an unlocked phone:

The first advantage of having an unlocked phone is being able to take it overseas. With an unlocked phone, you can simply buy prepaid sim cards designed to work in that country your in which is generally much cheaper then using your cell phone plan from your original country which will charge you high long distance rates and international roaming charges. If the phone was locked, you would not be able to put a prepaid sim card in your phone. The second advantage is that if you wanted to upgrade your phone, you can easily sell it as the phone will work with any carrier that uses a sim card. If the phone was locked, your market would be limited to only sell to people who are on the same carrier that the phone came from.