What are the unlocked mobile phones?
Unlocked mobile phones are mobile phones that can be used in any GSM network with interchangeable SIM cards. Regardless of which carrier does the card, the phone will be able to recognize and send voice and data via the network. This is in contrast to a locked phone that is bound to a specific network of mobile phone provider (or carriers) with software settings, and is usually offered with a contract when someone creates a mobile service.
potential benefits
One of the advantages of purchasing an unlocked mobile phone is the ability to buy almost any GSM (Global Mobile Communication System) rather than limited to a limited selection offered by a particular carrier. This may include phones distributed only in some countries or with features that are not available to all carriers. Also, people do not have to wait for a contract to buy a new phone; They can remove the SIM card from an existing phone (a subscriber identification module) and insert it to the donation when they are readyENI for replacement. This allows them to keep their number when upgrading the phone without having to go through the carrier.
In addition, it can be advantageous for passengers the ability to use an unlocked mobile phone with different SIM cards. Most carriers only supply the service to a particular country or area; When traveling outside the coverage zone, a mobile phone user will have to “roam” in a network of another carrier that often comes with a high fee. To avoid roaming fees, a person can buy a SIM card from the local carrier to and insert it, keep all its existing phone settings, but get a new number and a local call plan. In addition to cheaper call rates, this provides another advantage from the local issue in the area.
potential disadvantages
Not all unlocked phones have all the same features and their locked counterparts, even if the provider is the same. Carriers can such a fUNKCE includes only on locked phones that use their proprietary software and settings. Some carriers offer free calls to a number of contacts or access to one button for certain functions that can only be used on locked phones. Consumers who are worried about specific functions may want to check with the carrier to see if they are available on unlocking mobile phones.
In addition, such phones tend to be more expensive. Locked phones are often costly because they usually come up with telephone services contracts that have been committed to consumers to the service provider for a certain period of time (as two years). Unlocked phones are usually sold at a retail price or close because the buyer can use the phone with a number of different carriers.
Another problem with unlocked mobile phones is that they do not have to work on all GSM bands; Since 2012, a four -band phone could work anywhere in the world with the GSM network but OTElephony could not. This may be concerned about international travelers, especially because not all bands are used in all countries. For example, in South America, the 850 MHz band is commonly used, but others may not be available. It is advisable to check which groups the phone uses and which belts are available in the given tourist destinations.
Getting the unlocked phone
One way to get a phone without ownership is to purchase a new one from a third -party supplier in the original unlocked state. Third -party services are also available to unlock a mobile phone for a fee, usually by connecting it to a special piece of hardware specially designed for this purpose. This does not guarantee that the phone will always work properly, as the carrier settings can remain in the software.
There are also online instructions to unlock most models. In many cases, unlocking the phone is only a matter of activating the phone and entering a particular code; Some phoneY, however, by entering the code, you equalize a number of steps. Not all codes work and attempt to enter incorrect codes can cause the phone to be "hard" and prevent it from unlocking. Some mobile phone models can only be unlocked using a hardware method that can also work for hard phones.
Some cell carriers sell unlocked phones at the full price, usually allow consumers to select a flexible plan, such as monthly or paying off AS-You-Go. This can provide access to the features specific to the flexibility of the unlocked phone. If the customer has been with the carrier for some time - sometimes from 90 days - the carrier may even be willing to deliver the unlocked code for a locked phone even if it can charge a fee.
Mobile phones' carriers
Most of the world - 99% - uses the GSM network and many carriers use it for their services. The competitive network is CDMA or code division more Access. Most carriers in the CDMA network have not been using the phone since 2012y with card support; Instead, the subscriber information is stored in a mobile phone memory, which means that it cannot be converted to another phone. The equivalent of the CDMA SIM card-u-uim-with uses in some parts of Asia, but it is unlikely to expand wider. This card contains software that also allows it to be used in GSM phones.
Prison phones
Prison phone is not exactly the same as an unlocked phone. Most often it is used in the link to the Apple iPhone®, when the phone is Jailbroken, it has been modified to allow it to download applications (Apps) that the carrier does not approve or sells like the Apple App Store. The phone that has been stolen is not unlocked, although it may be necessary to unlock the phone before unlocking the phone. The escape from prison phone in the US is considered legal, even if it can break the warranty.