Unlock Cell Phone

Why do you need unlock cell Phone

If you own a GSM type cell phone that you purchased at a discounted price when you signed up for service, the chances are that the cell phone company has 'locked' your phone so it will only work with their service.

Phones are naturally unlocked, but a service provider might lock them.

When originally manufactured, all GSM cell phones are unlocked. That is, they can be used with any SIM from any cellphone service provider - always assuming, of course, that the cell phone service provider has compatible GSM service on the same frequency bands that the phone can operate on.

How to unlock cell phone

In most cases it is a simple process to unlock your phone. You have a few options:

1. Contact your network provider to unlock cell phone.

They may bill you to do so. Charges and detailed instructions by network supplier are available for the U.S., UK and Australia. They'll send you an unlock code for you to insert in your phone, or in some cases, they might do it over the phone for you.

2. Purchase an unlock code for any cell phone from an online unlocking code specialist.

We recommend UniquePhones Cell Phone Unlocking. Unlocking codes are available within 24 hours (the waiting can be up to one month from network providers) and prices start from just $3.99. Find out if UniquePhones have a code for your cell phone.

3.Visit a local cell phone store.

Expect to pay US$10 to US$25 to get an unlock code and have your phone unlocked

The GSM Unlocked Cell Phone

GSM is implemented on different frequencies across the planet. Your international destination(s) will determine which frequencies you will need. In summary:

Europe, Asia and Africa including the South Pacific operate on the 900Mhz and 1800Mhz frequencies.
North America and Central America operate on the 850Mhz and 1900Mhz frequency.
South America and The Caribbean may use the 900Mhz, 1800Mhz and/or the 1900Mhz frequencies.

Some phones switch between bands automatically while others must be set manually (this is no big deal). The Motorola Timeport demonstrates a manualband selection. The 2 options are GSM 900/1800 (for your trip to London or Beijing) or GSM 1900 (for when you return to North America).

We recommend Unique Phones as a provider for unlocking codes. Unlock Codes - From $3.99.