vB Easy Archive - unlocking faq

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unlocking faq
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Posted by: mrweatherbee66

is there a website that gives a general faq about unlocking phones. i've got some questions and i haven't been able to find much info in my searches, all i get are people requesting codes and such. and i don't want to post every question i have in here and sound like retard. i would like to read up on it a little first. thanks.

Posted by: GNOSIS

In the US, there are three main GSM networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cingular. Most phones sold by GSM carrers in the US are "locked" to that carrier. This means that only SIM's of that carrier can be used on that phone. If you wish to use your phone with a SIM Card from a different network, the phone needs to be unlocked. When you have a phone "unlocked," it means that after unlocking, you can now insert the SIM of any GSM carrier into that phone and it will work. Unlocking the phone will not void the phone's warranty.

Other benefits of unlocking:

Increase the resale value of your phone. Unlocked phones are worth up to 50% more than locked phones.

If your phone is a world/tri-band phone (3650, 7210, etc.) you will be able to use an international SIM to avoid AT&T's expensive international roaming rates. Remote unlocking your phone costs the same as internationally roaming for less than 5 minutes.
You can sell your phone to any customer with any provider... T-Mobile, Cingular, AT&T, etc.

You can trade phones with your family member, good friend, business partner, etc. You can lend your unlocked phone to anyone who has an active SIM card. You can then put your SIM into someone else's unlocked phone and borrow it to use as your own phone... for a day, a week, a month, forever. The beauty behind GSM technology is that your phone number follows your SIM, not your phone. Therefore, a call to your usual phone number will ring whatever phone your SIM is in.