| Cellular phones have become one of society's most | | | | inherent to your provider, and therefore even if you |
| ubiquitous accessories. What was once the domain of | | | | were able to switch networks, you wouldn't be able |
| the wealthy technophile is now found in nearly every | | | | to enjoy many of the features that the phone had |
| pocket or handbag from pre-teens to the elderly. For | | | | previously. |
| many, the cellular phone has even replaced the | | | | Therefore, even if your cellular phone provider |
| landline phone as their only telephone service. Yet | | | | "unlocks" your handset and allows you to use a new |
| with so many people purchasing cellular phones it is | | | | SIM card (which they will reluctantly do if certain |
| amazing that so few people know what they are | | | | criteria are met), many of the features you once |
| really buying. | | | | enjoyed may no longer work. By purchasing an |
| Although you may have purchased your phone from | | | | unlocked cellular phone you can avoid those pitfalls |
| a service provider, in many ways the phone is not | | | | and enjoy flexibility that is otherwise impossible. |
| entirely yours. Many cellular phones are not able to be | | | | When you purchase an unlocked cellular phone you |
| used at any place or with any carrier you choose. | | | | do not go through a typical cellular phone dealer |
| Instead, many cellular phones are locked by the | | | | (where the phone and service are purchased |
| manufacturer, and you can only use certain service | | | | together). Instead you purchase the phone without a |
| providers with that particular phone. That holds true | | | | contract, and as long as that phone is unlocked then |
| for all phones, unless you have purchased an | | | | you can use it with any SIM Card from your previous |
| unlocked cellular phone. | | | | phones, regardless of the manufacturer or provider |
| Inside your cellular phone is something called a | | | | you had previously used. Purchasing an unlocked |
| Subscriber Identity Module, or as it is more commonly | | | | cellular phone without a contract is usually more |
| known, a SIM card. The SIM card is the key to your | | | | expensive than buying a similar locked phone with a |
| cellular phone, and all of your phones identifying | | | | contract from a service provider. However, the |
| characteristics and memory functions are stored | | | | difference in price can be offset if you are an |
| there; you might call it the brains and DNA of your | | | | individual with a need to use different SIM cards on |
| phone. The SIM card can be switched from one | | | | your phone. |
| phone to another, and it allows you to instantly | | | | For example, many phones are locked so that they |
| activate your new phone on the network while | | | | will only accept domestic SIM cards, so international |
| eliminating the need to reprogram information like | | | | travel can leave you without a network. An unlocked |
| your contact list on your new phone. | | | | cellular phone can use SIM cards from the country |
| However, despite all the freedom that the SIM card | | | | you are visiting, and this can save you money |
| provides, it is only useful to phones that are | | | | because connecting to a foreign network can be |
| programmed to accept certain, preprogrammed SIM | | | | considerably less expensive when using a SIM card |
| cards. Consequently, your phone can only be used in | | | | from that country. Domestic providers often charge |
| selected places and on selected networks. Only an | | | | exorbitant rates on foreign calls, so travelers who |
| unlocked cellular phone has the capability to avoid | | | | have high call volume when abroad can save |
| these locks and offer true freedom of service to the | | | | hundreds of dollars by using an unlocked cellular |
| owner of the phone. | | | | phone and a foreign SIM card. |
| When most people purchase a cellular phone from a | | | | You cannot purchase an unlocked cellular phone from |
| service provider they do not realize that they phone | | | | conventional network dealers, but if you shop at |
| they have purchased is almost always fitted with a | | | | electronics stores, or from online vendors, you can |
| network provider lock. That means that no matter | | | | find all the most popular cellular phone models that |
| how much you like that particular phone, you will not | | | | the network providers carry, and more, but without |
| be able to use it with a SIM card from a competing | | | | the locking restrictions that the networks imbed in |
| provider network, or even in a country where your | | | | their products. For those who travel and can benefit |
| provider does not offer service. Further, your phone | | | | from access to many networks, an unlocked cellular |
| is probably programmed with features that are | | | | phone is a very logical choice. |