What is an Unlocked GSM Cell Phone?

by John Smithe

Simply put, an unlocked GSM cell phone is a cell phone that has been “un-programmed” and works anywhere in the world, on any provider, with any SIM card. Most cell phones are unlocked when you buy them, but some, especially ones that you get free or discounted with your service plan, are “locked” making you unable to use your phone if you switch providers. Cell phone companies obviously want to limit your ability to use your phone with any other providers, thus they block your ability to switch SIM cards and use your phone if you switch carriers.

The identity of your phone number is not dependent on the physical cell phone you use, rather it is stored in the SIM (Subscriber Information Module) card (the little chip you break off a gift card sized card) that you insert into the back of your phone. You can take the SIM card out of your phone and insert it into any other modern handset that takes a SIM card and have that phone receive your calls just like your old one. The only problem with doing this is sometimes the cell phone is locked.

If you have a cell phone that you love and you want to switch providers, you can just take the new SIM card your new provider gives you and out it in your old phone, if it’s not locked. Similarly, if you want a new cell phone al you have to do is go buy a new cell phone without a plan and insert your old SIM card into it, if the phone is not locked. Unlocking a phone isn’t hard; you either need a secret code specific to the brand and model of your phone that you can get online or you have to connect it to a programming unit with a data cable. Whichever method your phone requires, a quick internet search for “unlocking my cell phone” or something similar will give you an idea of what to do. You will probably have to spend a few dollars for remote unlocking codes or data cables.

If your unsure if you phone is locked and want to find out before you try to change SIM cards, get a friend with a cell phone on a different network and try to use their SIM card in your phone. If it works and you phone receives calls for their number, then your phone is unlocked. If not, your phone is indeed locked and if you want to switch SIM cards you’ll have to unlock it. Thankfully it is possible and not too complicated to unlock a GSM cell phone.

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