Unlocking - Please explain

Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want to
have an "unlocked" phone.
Thanks
Carp

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"Carp" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
| Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want to
| have an "unlocked" phone.
| Thanks
| Carp
|

An "unlocked" phone can be used on any carrier simply by putting that
carrier's SIM card in the phone. A locked phone can only be used with a SIM
card from the carrier that it is locked to.

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 16:15:39 -0500, "Carp"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want to
>have an "unlocked" phone.

When people speak of unlocked phones usually they are referring to GSM
phones.

Commonly when you get service you may either get a free phone or a
severely discounted phone. This is called a subsidy. Because there
is a subsidy on the phone you get from a provider they don't want you
getting the phone on the cheap and then turning around and going down
the street and using that phone on another competitor's network after
they've subsidized the cost of a phone either giving you a free phone
or subsidizing the cost. They have the phone's manufacturer put a
"SIM lock" on the phone to prevent you from using a competitor's SIM
(smart card) in the phone that they're subsidizing. The phone is
effectively locked to that company's network. If you put in a
competitor's SIM card in the phone it will be rejected.

You can often get the SIM lock defeated by going to web sites that
offer either free or inexpensive "remote" unlocking i.e. an unlock
code will be generated or they may have other ways to remove the SIM
lock.

Why would you want to have your phone unlocked? 1) So you could use
another network that used the same technology. T-Mobile, AT&T
Wireless and cingular wireless use the same technology. 2) should you
at some future time wish to sell your used phone. Unlocked phones can
command more money in auctions and the like.

Be aware though that even though all GSM SIM cards are useable in any
GSM phone all areas don't necessarily use the same GSM frequencies.
In the US there are areas served by cingular that you must have a
phone that uses GSM '850' and don't have GSM 1900 available. If you
get a phone that only uses GSM 1900 it won't work in those areas where
there's only GSM 850.

CDMA and TDMA phones can be "SOC" locked so even though a network may
have the same type user equipment you may not be able to use that
phone on another's network. cingular and AT&T Wireless use TDMA, but
you cannot register a cingular phone on the AT&T network or vice versa
because the phones' ESNs are not in both carrier's database.

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What a great explanation.
Thanks for taking the time.
Carp

"Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 16:15:39 -0500, "Carp"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want
to
> >have an "unlocked" phone.
>
> When people speak of unlocked phones usually they are referring to GSM
> phones.
>
> Commonly when you get service you may either get a free phone or a
> severely discounted phone. This is called a subsidy. Because there
> is a subsidy on the phone you get from a provider they don't want you
> getting the phone on the cheap and then turning around and going down
> the street and using that phone on another competitor's network after
> they've subsidized the cost of a phone either giving you a free phone
> or subsidizing the cost. They have the phone's manufacturer put a
> "SIM lock" on the phone to prevent you from using a competitor's SIM
> (smart card) in the phone that they're subsidizing. The phone is
> effectively locked to that company's network. If you put in a
> competitor's SIM card in the phone it will be rejected.
>
> You can often get the SIM lock defeated by going to web sites that
> offer either free or inexpensive "remote" unlocking i.e. an unlock
> code will be generated or they may have other ways to remove the SIM
> lock.
>
> Why would you want to have your phone unlocked? 1) So you could use
> another network that used the same technology. T-Mobile, AT&T
> Wireless and cingular wireless use the same technology. 2) should you
> at some future time wish to sell your used phone. Unlocked phones can
> command more money in auctions and the like.
>
> Be aware though that even though all GSM SIM cards are useable in any
> GSM phone all areas don't necessarily use the same GSM frequencies.
> In the US there are areas served by cingular that you must have a
> phone that uses GSM '850' and don't have GSM 1900 available. If you
> get a phone that only uses GSM 1900 it won't work in those areas where
> there's only GSM 850.
>
> CDMA and TDMA phones can be "SOC" locked so even though a network may
> have the same type user equipment you may not be able to use that
> phone on another's network. cingular and AT&T Wireless use TDMA, but
> you cannot register a cingular phone on the AT&T network or vice versa
> because the phones' ESNs are not in both carrier's database.
>
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>"SIM lock" on the phone to prevent you from using a competitor's SIM
>(smart card) in the phone that they're subsidizing.
So I *ought* to be able to go to Radio Shack and buy a fancy new
unlocked phone, into which I put my current SIM card from my old
clunky phone?

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 01:02:48 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>>"SIM lock" on the phone to prevent you from using a competitor's SIM
>>(smart card) in the phone that they're subsidizing.
> So I *ought* to be able to go to Radio Shack and buy a fancy new
>unlocked phone, into which I put my current SIM card from my old
>clunky phone?

Well, that's the basic idea though in reality you couldn't go into a
Rat Shack and get a GSM phone since all Rat Shack sells is Verizon and
Sprint both of which are CDMA carriers. Your alternative for getting
a compatible GSM phone are either eBay or other online auctions or
some of the dealers that deal specifically with unlocked GSM phones
and are not tied to the providers. Such companies are
GSMphonesource.com, expansys.com, just-talk.com and others. You
*will* pay the retail non-subsidized price so don't be surprised if
the prices initially seem a bit high. Do a google search "unlocked
gsm phones."

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Ok - here is the next question.

I have a 6340i - and have to have a GAIT phone for my calling plan. I hate
the 6340i. Is there another GAIT phone (other than the T62 or whatever that
Cingular pushes) that can be unlocked that I can use?
Thanks again
Carp


"Carp" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want to
> have an "unlocked" phone.
> Thanks
> Carp
>
>

"Carp" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok - here is the next question.
>
> I have a 6340i - and have to have a GAIT phone for my calling plan. I
hate
> the 6340i. Is there another GAIT phone (other than the T62 or whatever
that
> Cingular pushes) that can be unlocked that I can use?
> Thanks again
> Carp
>
>
> "Carp" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Would someone please explain what "unlocking" is and why one would want
to
> > have an "unlocked" phone.
> > Thanks
> > Carp

T62u--and those are the only two available GAIT phones.
It's unfortunate about your feelings for the Nokia 6340i.
I find it satisfactory in Memphis, and the surrounding
areas.

Check the GSM Nation plan maps. Perhaps enough converstion
has occurred that you may not need TDMA and AMPS. Then
you could switch to a dual band GSM only phone, and there
are MORE than two models. (Nokia 3595, SE T616, etc.)

John C.

"Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Well, that's the basic idea though in reality you couldn't go into a
> Rat Shack and get a GSM phone since all Rat Shack sells is Verizon and
> Sprint both of which are CDMA carriers. Your alternative for getting
> a compatible GSM phone are either eBay or other online auctions or
> some of the dealers that deal specifically with unlocked GSM phones
> and are not tied to the providers. Such companies are
> GSMphonesource.com, expansys.com, just-talk.com and others. You
> *will* pay the retail non-subsidized price so don't be surprised if
> the prices initially seem a bit high. Do a google search "unlocked
> gsm phones."


Where does one then go to get a US Sim card? I have an unlocked Ericson 520
that I used while traveling in Europe. I'd like to purchase a data only plan
from either Cingular or T-mobile to use here in the States.

Do I just go to a local dealer and have them handle the details?

On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 11:19:47 -0500, "Carp"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Ok - here is the next question.
>
>I have a 6340i - and have to have a GAIT phone for my calling plan. I hate
>the 6340i. Is there another GAIT phone (other than the T62 or whatever that
>Cingular pushes) that can be unlocked that I can use?

There are only two GAIT phones and you have named them. If you don't
like those two GAIT phones there's not much you can do as those are
the only ones. GAIT is supposed to be a transitional phone to get you
from TDMA to GSM.

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On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 21:46:30 GMT, "Waspy" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Where does one then go to get a US Sim card? I have an unlocked Ericson 520
>that I used while traveling in Europe. I'd like to purchase a data only plan
>from either Cingular or T-mobile to use here in the States.
>
>Do I just go to a local dealer and have them handle the details?

Exactly. Either T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless or cingular.

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GSM alone won't work for me. We travel for several months at a time each
year in our RV and I need the coverage that the GAIT phone provides. SO -
guess I'll just shut up and quit my *****in' !
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Carp


"Joseph" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 11:19:47 -0500, "Carp"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Ok - here is the next question.
> >
> >I have a 6340i - and have to have a GAIT phone for my calling plan. I
hate
> >the 6340i. Is there another GAIT phone (other than the T62 or whatever
that
> >Cingular pushes) that can be unlocked that I can use?
>
> There are only two GAIT phones and you have named them. If you don't
> like those two GAIT phones there's not much you can do as those are
> the only ones. GAIT is supposed to be a transitional phone to get you
> from TDMA to GSM.
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> remove NONO from .NONOcom to reply