How to Unlock a Cell Phone

Life without cell phones is unimaginable today. No matter where you are around the globe, being connected is very important. With many service providers around, one has plenty of choices to opt for whichever, suits his/her needs. However some service providers lock your phone so that it works exclusively with their service exclusively. This makes it impossible for a cell phone user to move on to another service provider. However, if you own the phone you have a right to get it unlocked and gain service provider portability.

Which Cell Phones Can be Unlocked?

By an unlocked cell phone, I mean a phone that can be used with any service provider. That is, it has service provider portability.

There are two types of cell phones: GSM(Global System For Mobiles) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). These are two different cell phone technologies. CDMA based phones provided by service providers are locked for life. That is, you cannot use them with any other service provider. In case you want to, you will have to just have to buy a new phone. So, CDMA phones cannot be unlocked. In North America, if your service provider is Verizon or Sprint, you have a CDMA based phone and you cannot get it unlocked.

The other technology which is GSM, offers service portability through the use of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. In North America, AT & T, as well as T-Mobile offer GSM mobile phones. However, some service providers, lock GSM phones through use of a software that links the phone's identity number with the SIM card, so that, it cannot be used with any other GSM service provider SIM. Why do cell phone companies do that? One obvious reason is that they want you to use their service exclusively and earn through roaming charges when you travel into regions out of their service bounds. This condition can be reversed however and the cell phone can be unlocked.

Is unlocking a cell phone legal? In USA, there are no specific laws about unlocking cell phones. However, most GSM service providers can unlock your phone on request. You should request information about unlocking your cell phone from your own service provider, as it is totally dependent on them and mobile manufacturers.

How to Unlock a Mobile Phone?

If you have a GSM mobile phone, there are ways in which you can get it unlocked. The procedure to unlock a cell phone depends on the cell phone hand set model and the service provider. The cell phone can be unlocked on air, by the service provider or it may be unlocked by entering a specific code supplied by the service provider. Some cell phone companies unlock cell phones only after the contract that you have with them expires. Once your cell phone is unlocked it generally stays unlocked. First check whether your GSM cell phone handset is locked, by inserting a SIM card of another service provider. If it doesn't work, then you can contact your service provider and ask the customer service executive to get it unlocked.

T-Mobile does unlock your mobile phone on request, while AT&T only unlocks the mobile phone after your contract with them has expired. Some service providers like T-Mobile ask you to e-mail the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. In case, you do not own the phone under the contract, you will have to pay the full premium for it. They will also need a proof of your ownership of the phone in the form of a purchase receipt photocopy, that you may need to fax them. Then they reply with a unique code that when entered, unlocks your phone. The IMEI code is unique for every mobile phone and it can be seen by entering *#06#. You better note it down somewhere, as in case your phone is stolen, that code may help you in retrieving it.

Some websites offer to unlock your mobile phone for a service fee, but it is best to get it done from your service provider.