{"id":288,"date":"2011-02-21T09:53:11","date_gmt":"2011-02-20T23:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freeunlocks.com\/facts-to-consider-before-purchasing-an-unlocked-cell-phone.htm"},"modified":"2011-02-21T09:53:11","modified_gmt":"2011-02-20T23:53:11","slug":"facts-to-consider-before-purchasing-an-unlocked-cell-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeunlocks.com\/blog\/facts-to-consider-before-purchasing-an-unlocked-cell-phone.htm","title":{"rendered":"Facts to Consider Before Purchasing an Unlocked Cell Phone"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most asked questions we receive at Search4cellphonedeals.com is can I use any unlocked cell phone for my carrier?\u00a0 The short answer is, no you cannot.\u00a0 There are several things to consider before you run out and buy an unlocked cell phone.<\/p>\n

First let\u2019s look at what an unlocked cell phone is.\u00a0 Some cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module card or SIM card for short.\u00a0 A SIM card is a microchip that stores subscriber data.\u00a0 The SIM card is issued by a carrier and provides cell service by activating any phone into which it is inserted.\u00a0 A locked<\/strong> cell phone, however, will only recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier.\u00a0 If the cell phone is unlocked, it will recognize a SIM card from any carrier.\u00a0 The “lock” is a software setting that keeps the cell phone “loyal” to one carrier.\u00a0 This is done by the major carriers to ensure you don\u2019t get a FREE cell phone under a two-year contract and then not pay on the contract and use that cell phone with another provider.\u00a0 It is in this way that the cell phone providers can justify giving individuals a FREE cell phone that would have otherwise cost the consumer money.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of places that sell unlocked cell phones but simply buying one of these phones does not guarantee that it will work with your carrier.\u00a0 Before buying an unlocked cell phone, you have to know what network your cellular provider operates on.\u00a0 There are two here in the United States.\u00a0 The first is Global Systems for Mobile Communications or GSM for short.\u00a0 If your cell phone has a SIM card, your provider uses GSM.\u00a0 Currently carriers on the GSM network include, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile.\u00a0 Typically if you buy an unlocked cell phone any SIM card should work equally as well in that phone regardless of the provider.\u00a0 The other network is called Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA for short.\u00a0 CDMA phones do not have a SIM card and thus even if you purchase an unlocked CDMA cell phone you still have to get your carrier to activate it for you.\u00a0 The drawback here is that the provider still decides if you can use a specific cell phone.\u00a0 Currently carriers using CDMA in the United States include Verizon Wireless, Alltel Wireless and Sprint PCS.<\/p>\n

The easiest way to determine if your provider will let you use an unlocked cell phone you have your eye on is to simply call them.\u00a0 Every provider has an 800 number that can be obtained by simply going to their web site.\u00a0 This is especially important for anyone who is considering buying an unlocked CDMA cell phone.<\/p>\n

Unlocked cell phones have become so in demand that there are now companies out there that will unlock your cell phone for a fee.\u00a0 The fee varies by company and again may or may not free up your cell phone to be used elsewhere.\u00a0 There are also numerous hacking sites on the web that will show you how to unlock your phone, but be warned, the carriers will render a cell phone that is determined to be unlocked improperly inoperable.\u00a0 If you want an unlocked cell phone, the best thing to do is to buy one from a reputable company.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Now that you know the facts, start looking for your dream cell phone.\u00a0 Remember it is probably best to leave your locked cell phone alone and look elsewhere for an unlocked cell phone that will work best with your GSM (if you have a SIM card) or CDMA cell phone.\u00a0 Avoid the places that tell you any unlocked phone will work with any carrier and be sure to double-check with your provider before you finalize your purchase.\u00a0 It\u2019s your money, spend it wisely.<\/p>\n

For more information or to find out where to purchase unlocked cell phones, please visit http:\/\/www.search4cellphonedeals.com\/New_and_Refurbished_Unlocked_Cell_Phones.html<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\n

Jimmy Collins is dedicated to helping others find the perfect new or used cell phone that fits their lifestyle and budget. He founded search4cellphonedeals.com after a frustrating 4 hours of trying to find his step-daughter a new cell phone, all the while thinking that there had to be an easier way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the most asked questions we receive at Search4cellphonedeals.com is can I use any unlocked cell phone for my carrier?\u00a0 The short answer is, no you cannot.\u00a0 There are several things to consider before you run out and buy an unlocked cell phone. First let\u2019s look at what an unlocked cell phone is.\u00a0 Some … <\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[278],"tags":[60,1164,447,764,342,85,114,1136,1096,1163,1162,254,1137,519,716,1139,529,343,627,1138,6,1135,9,483,485,530],"class_list":["post-288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-phone-news","tag-amp","tag-before","tag-carrier","tag-cdma-phones","tag-cell","tag-cell-phone-providers","tag-cell-phones","tag-cellular-provider","tag-code-division-multiple-access","tag-consider","tag-facts","tag-free-cell-phone","tag-global-systems","tag-gsm-network","tag-microchip","tag-mobile-communications","tag-money","tag-phone","tag-purchasing","tag-short-answer","tag-sim-card","tag-subscriber-data","tag-t-mobile","tag-unlocked","tag-unlocked-cell-phone","tag-unlocked-phone","item-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\nFacts to Consider Before Purchasing an Unlocked Cell Phone - FreeUnlocks.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freeunlocks.com\/blog\/facts-to-consider-before-purchasing-an-unlocked-cell-phone.htm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Facts to Consider Before Purchasing an Unlocked Cell Phone - FreeUnlocks.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"One of the most asked questions we receive at Search4cellphonedeals.com is can I use any unlocked cell phone for my carrier?\u00a0 The short answer is, no you cannot.\u00a0 There are several things to consider before you run out and buy an unlocked cell phone. 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