Cell phones have two major systems used for communication. One is the CDMA system which is a coded response system that has both the user and phone locked to a precise number and specific system. This kind of system is commonly used in the United States and also in a number of other countries. Two is known as GSM. The longer more formal term for this is the Global System for Mobile Communication. The GSM system is recently gaining more popularity in the United States but has been the standard communication system used in over a hundred countries worldwide.
GSM phones run on a SIM card that is used to communicate with a specific network. A network provided has the option to lock a cell phone so that the phone cannot function when a SIM from a different provider is inserted in it. This is done for marketing purposes, but a lot of users see this as an unfair act. Individuals who have purchased the phone want the ability to be able to change SIM cards and use the phone with a particular network they prefer. This way, owners will still be able to use the phone even when they are in foreign countries without having to pay for roaming charges.
Now, the real question is how one can unlock phones – this can be done by first identifying the kind of phone you are in possession of. When you are using a CDMA phone, there is no need for you to unlock it since it doesn’t use a SIM card. When you have a GSM phone, you have to first determine if it is indeed locked. A simple way to determine if your phone is really locked, get a SIM card from another network provider and use it on your phone. Once the SIM card is inserted and you can still use your phone, then it is not locked. However, if an error message appears on the screen the phone is locked.
The next thing to do is to search the internet for trusted companies that offer an unlock code for your phone. You will have to pay an appointed amount of payment for the phone unlock code to be sent you via email. After receiving the unlock code, all you have to do is input it into the phone to have it unlocked. Although the phone will show a message that you’ve successfully unlocked the phone, you can still test it by using a different SIM card.
Sorry to say, there are other cell phone models that cannot be easily unlocked with just an unlock code. Fortunately, the cell phone unlock service can tell you if your phone can be unlocked using their unlock code or not. Don’t fret, if your phone cannot be unlocked using codes, there is a hardware that can be connected via USB cable to have it unlocked. You will need to send the phone to a phone unlocking service for this to be done, but it won’t take long finish an you can bring the phone home after the procedure.
Phone Unlock Codes 