Locked vs. Unlocked GSM Phones

Got a question regarding locked vs. unlocked GSM phones. I've been a GSM cell user for a couple of years now, but by no means am I an expert on the subject.

At the present time, I have a Motorola GSM tri-band that just bit the dust on me. Now I'm in the market for a new one. My dilemma is, if I buy the phone through one of those rebate offers, such as the ones that are offered through T-Mobile, will the phone be locked if I decide to switch services to another provider later on down the road? I can't seem to get a consistent answer on this no matter who I talk with. According to T-Mobile, they'll unlock the phone for me after six months (from the start of my contract?) and I'm free to use the phone with whomever I please. However, this doesn't sound right to me. I always thought the phone would be locked once you decided to leave T-Mo.

Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

BTW—I got my original Motorola GSM through an online retailer, and it was factory-unlocked when I purchased it. So this was never a concern for me. However, I ended up paying a bit more for it than if I had purchased it through a discount offer with one of the service providers.

If you were happy with the phone, why not try to have it repaired? Always good as a backup, even if you get a second phone. Unlocked phones are so sweet. Try Ebay for used phones, then you don't have to have a new contract. Search for GSM phones unlocked, prices have a wide variety. Try to buy from someone close to where you live, maybe you can get it directly from the seller.

unlocked phone are way better to buy. yeah you should buy the phone off ebay so that you don't have to get a new plan. the phones from ebay are mostly all unlocked. unlocked GSM phones can only be used on any GSM networks. there's only three GSM in the USA right now, and t-mobile is the best. so why switch? haha.

Heres a tip, since i work for tmobile. T-mobile will unlock your phone after 3 months of service, not contract, as long as you provide the imei and model type. If you just buy the phone from t-mobile, it will be locked and you will not be able to use it for any other service provider, which is why if you plan on switching from t-mobile, you would prefer an unlocked phone, or else you're gonna have to shell out more money to get a phone thats similiar, especially if you get a high-end phone. If you need any more help just let me know

Great you work for T-Mobile and have a 6133! Why can't anyone at T-Mobile understand why I want my phone unlocked, or for that matter, what it is that I'm asking for?

Well, you said if I need anymore help, let you know!

I have 3 6133's, one for each account with only 2 of them active right now. What can I send you that will allow you to acheive with t-mobile what no one else there has been able ot do?

dadman

I can't imagine why you'd want to consider leaving TMo because there really isn't anyone better out there but with that said, let's get to the gist of your question ...

You can buy an unlocked phone directly. I've bought my last several phones unlocked and unbranded. I use Cellular Concepts (www.cellularconcepts.com). I find them to be pretty good. Not necessarily the cheapest but good to work with.

KEEP IN MIND THAT "UNLOCKED PHONES" CAN ONLY BE USED ON GSM NETWORKS. This means that your two nation-wide carriers in the United States are TMo and AT&T/Cingulbar. A GSM phone locked or unlocked will NOT work with Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, Alltel, or U.S. Cellular.

If you wish to buy a phone directly from TMo, it will come locked. TMo will unlock your phone but you'll not get an "energetic" response from them if you tell them you want your phone unlocked so that you can port it over to AT&T/Cingulbar (again, the only other national carrier you can use a GSM phone with in the United States is AT&T/Cingulbar). The methold to get TMo to unlock your phone is to tell them that you are traveling to Europe and want the ability to use pre-paid SIM cards in Europe. It is unlikely that you will get them to unlock the phone from the get-go if you are not an existing customer but you will be able to after a few months even if you are new ... again with the premise that you need it unlocked for travel to Europe.

Hope this information helps.

I have a 6133 too. One of the few Nokia phones that can't be auto unlocked with a code. =(