Apr 02

What Is a Sim Free Mobile Phone – The Question Demystified

When you purchase a mobile phone in a shop (whether online or brick-and-mortar) you only have two options really: either the phone is sim-free or is locked to a specific network.

A sim free phone is and can only be a phone that is actually able to take any sim card AND has been manufactured that way. This is different from an unlocked phone that was manufactured with a software that can only recognise and function with a certain type of sim card (i.e Vodafone or T-Mobile). Sometimes (actually quite often) retailers sell phones advertised as “unlocked to all networks” when in fact they sell sim free phones. Why is this important?

It is extremely important because a phone that has been unlocked means that initially was built to work on a specific network and the business/individual that bought it subsequently did unlock by entering the software/motherboard of the phone and actually tampered with it. This can go from just calculating the “unlocking code” that is just loaded to the phone software to actually flash a new software into the phone. If it is done properly then it can be OK and your phone works fine. If it is not done properly then you could have a phone that developed bugs/faults.
Importantly, a phone that has been unlocked by means other that the manufacturer unlocking code (that can be obtain from your network at the end of a contract period) will always have the manufacturer warranty invalidated. Bear this in mind when buying what is in the end an expensive piece of kit.

So yours truly would strongly recommend that you insist on buying only a sim free phone, and make sure that it has not been unlocked. So retailers actually advertise “unlocked to all networks” to help people understand that they can use the phone with any sim card. Others use the same terms but in fact they sell a product that has been subsidised by a Network operator and sold at a cheap price to attract the customers. So normally an unlocked phone or a locked phone will almost always be cheaper than a sim free phone but in the end it might turn out to be more expensive as you might end up with a faulty phone and no warranty to cover your product.

I hope this article is informative. I will appreciate your feedback.

 

www.foneparadise.com

Apr 01

Cell Phones in Spain – SIM Card is the Best Option

In recent years, Spain has become a travel destination for business people and tourists alike. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful country and wish to have the use of a cell phone, there are a few things that you will need to know.

If you wish to use the cellular phone that you currently have while you are in Spain, chances are that it will not work. This inability is due to differences in operating systems and the frequencies that are used in most European countries. Most American cellular phones operate with third generation technology that is known as WCDMA (Wideband Code multiple Access), which is not yet available in many other countries. These areas operate under the GMS (Global System for Media Communications) system, which is second generation technology.

These GMS cellular phones are still available from certain service providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, but they also must be adaptable to work with the different frequencies in Spain as well. In most of North America, cell phones use frequencies of 850 and 1900 while European countries use 900 and 1800. If you decide to purchase a GMS phone in the United States, you will need to make sure that it will function using these differing frequencies.

If you do have a GMS cellular phone that will work while you are in Spain, you will probably have to use the roaming feature when placing telephone calls. As these types of call can cost over $1 per minute, this can be quite expensive if you are planning to use your cellular phone regularly.

The least expensive option that will enable you to use your cell phone while Spain is to purchase a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) once you arrive in the country. In order to use this type of card, you will need to unlock your present phone or purchase an unlocked one. To unlock your present device, you can contact your present cell phone provider, although many companies are unwilling to do this as it means a loss of revenues for them. Luckily, there are many Websites that you can visit that can help you to complete this process on your own.

One you have arrived in Spain, you can purchase a SIM card with a small amount of minutes on it. You can then add minutes as you need them. These cards have a variety of packages available, starting at $20 US. You will then be able to take advantage of the less expensive rates that are offered by the Spanish cell phone providers.

Some of the advantages offered by the Spanish SIM cards include free incoming calls and international calls for approximately $0.10 US per minute. Voicemail is also available with these types of plans and you will not need to sign a contract or be sent a monthly bill. You will also receive a new Spanish phone number (keeping your own is not an option).

So if you are traveling to Spain and wish to have a cell phone, a GMS cellular phone and a Spanish SIM card is an expensive way to keep in touch with friends, business associates, and loved ones.

You just got a new cell phone or you want to personalize your current cell phone visit this article on cell phone accessories.

Apr 01

Bono Teams Up With Motorola Cell Phones

It seems that when we think of technology and superstars together we can think of nothing but an endorsement deal. Really, what else could it be? Well, Bono of the rock group U2, in his true Bono fashion, has gone around this typical thinking and done something different and helpful for the greater good. While Bono, his Product Red initiative as well as his partner Motorola Cell Phones will benefit the true beneficiary is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Whenever Motorola Cell Phones sells a SLVR, KRZR or RAZR phone 50% of that money goes back to the Global Fund.

The idea is obviously charitable. But it is also to make the everyday consumer aware of global concerns outside of their daily lives. This puts the consumer in tune with the world around them and can spark interest and concern about some of these topics like AIDS. It also then puts a consumer who was already out in need of Motorola Cell Phones contribute to something bigger than themselves. So while Motorola Cell Phones are not Unlocked GSM Cell Phones, they are sold in Verizon stores, the biggest provider in the states to date. This means many consumers have an opportunity to contribute.

This works another way for Motorola Cell Phones and other companies working with the Product Red Initiative, too. In addition to the shopper planning to buy Motorola Cell Phones that day and educated them, there is now the opportunity to bring new clients to them. For example, imagine a shopper who is a big fan of HTC Phones but is also conscious of world problems. Suppose that person hears of the Product Red Initiative? Well, they might decide to switch to the more charitable company, giving up their interest in Unlocked GSM Cell Phones, and heading to Motorola Cell Phones.

There is also room for the instance in which a consumer simply wants a phone and has no preference to one company or another. That is, until they here about Motorola Cell Phones partnering with the Product Red Initiative. That could be enough to sway them.

So while the company can improve client relations and profits too, the idea is still that the Global Fund gets more donations through people who might not donate and through a corporation. It is an interesting idea that has generated media hype, though all in all it seems to have an honest, good impact, certainly better than companies selling their products and nothing more.

Article written by Paul Wise, after extensive research on Unlocked GSM Cell Phones. If you are in the market for Motorola Cell Phones Paul recommends visiting EmpireCell.com. They offer a great selection and wonderful service.

Apr 01

Buy Mobile Phones: Providing a High Level Of Satisfaction

Change in time and technology has enabled man to do a number of chores with much ease. In the same way, mobile phones have simplified the process of communication and now even entertainment to a very large extent. With the help of this small gadget it is possible to stay in touch with people far and wide, video call one another and even listen to music and take pictures. Thereby, it is recommended to one and all to buy mobile phones. They are a very handy gadget in the current scenario and provide a high level of satisfaction to the users.

There are a number of mobile phones that are offered to the public. Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Blackberry and Apple are some of the top leading producers who keep a variety of models for the public to choose from. The phones carry out all functions right from calling to that of entertainment. One can now take pictures, listen to music, organize his daily work, set an alarm, access the internet and even video call people with the help of this tiny gadget.

While buying mobile phone a number of aspects must be kept in mind. One should avail that handset that suits his need and necessity the most. He should take up the services of that network provider who offers him the best at the least. Vodafone, Virgin, Orange, O2, T mobile and 3 are some of the leading networks in the U.K. who have so many deals and plans to provide the public with. They provide low charges over calls and even offer free texts.

The internet is an excellent source for one to gather information about his phone and deal. Online shopping is a booming industry today and the public can buy any kind of phone by simply making a few clicks and putting in minimal effort.

Dennis Brown is associated with buy mobile phones and write articles for mobile phones. Get more information on UK Mobile Phones, mobile phone deals and contract mobile phones here.

Apr 01

How to Unlock Nokia Mobile Phone

Typically when you purchase a cell phone, the company that sold you the phone (ex: AT&T) ‘locked’ the phone before you bought it, so you can only use it on their network. This means that you can’t use your phone on any other network, even if you change the SIM (which is an abbreviation for Subscriber Identity Module) card. The SIM card is the little piece of plastic that identifies your phone to the cellular network. Changing your SIM card to have your nokia phone work on another network is useful especially if you want to travel to another country and want to buy a pre-paid SIM card so you can have cell phone access without roaming charges. There are services that offer to provide unlocking capabilities for a fee, but don’t pay for them! You can do it yourself for free, which is the perfect price.

1. Before trying anything else, contact your service provider and ask for an unlock code as per your nokia model. Usually, if you’ve been a customer of theirs for some time, they will provide you with free mobile unlock codes for your mobile phone. This is, by far, the best way to get your nokia phone unlocked.
2. Download software to generate the unlocking code. Software is available on some websites for free and some pay websites that also offer support if things go wrong. See external links below.
3. Find the Serial number of the nokia phone, also known as your IMEI number. This IMEI number help you to find nokia unlock codes for various nokia models. This can be done by either removing the back of your cell phone and looking underneath the battery, or simply by typing in *#06# into your cell phone. It should be something like: 010072321539976/07961780836
4. Using the software you have downloaded, enter in your Manufacturer (which is in this case Nokia), and sliding the card out. Put the battery back in and power the phone on.
5. You will see a message “Insert SIM Card”. Enter all of the characters you see in your code, including the # symbols. To get a ‘p’ press * 3 times, to get a ‘+’ press the * key 2 times, to get a ‘w’ press the * key 4 times. Disregard any spaces in the code.
6. In order to unlock your phone you generally need to enter only one code. Start with the first one. If your phone is not unlocked by typing the first code (MCC+MNC), use code “7” (Multilock)
7. Once you have finished entering a code that works you should see a message that says “SIM is not restricted” or “Restriction off” message depending on your model. If not, try entering another code. Message “Cannot undo restrictions” means the phone is “hard-locked” and cannot be unlocked by code.

Warning
• Be sure to backup important information from your nokia phone [Contacts, Messages etc].
• Make copies of all files downloaded from your phone *before* they are modified. If something is wrong with the modified copy, you can reload the unmodified one to go “back to normal” in many cases.

mobile-cellphones.blogspot.com provides free mobile unlock guide. Free Samsung, lg, nokia unlock codes and other unlocking codes for Motorola. step by step guide for how mobile unlocking work and whether mobile unlocking is legal or not.