Have you ever wondered why the cell phone that you’ve grown to love so much can’t be switched to another network? Have you ever thought about the number of cell phones you will accumulate throughout the next 5 years or so? Have you ever realized that the current system of cell phones and networks doesn’t really have your best interest at heart? If you are one of the many who wants to keep their current phone while having the ability to change networks, you need to get your cell phone unlocked.

Here’s a quick synopsis of how the locking of a phone works:

- Every cell phone has an IMEI- an International Mobile Equipment Identity number- that connects a phone to its network. This number is similar to a serial number.

- The IMEI also connects the phone to its owner. Therefore, the network (or service) is connected to the phone owner (or subscriber) by the IMEI.

- Most cell phones have a removable SIM (short for Subscriber Information Module) card. The SIM card also connects the phone to its owner as well as the phone to the network.

- The majority of cell networks will put a lock on the SIM card so that the phone at hand can only be used with their service. In order to switch to a new service, you need to get a new phone with a new SIM.

- This holds true no matter what phone you purchase, no matter how expensive the phone is or how advanced the technology is.

So basically if you want to keep your pricey mobile phone for a while, you’ll either have to sign a new contract with the same network you started with or have your phone unlocked. With so many networks constantly changing products and services, you’re ultimately better off unlocking your phone. One caveat for the unlocking process is in regards to any current contract you may have. If your contract holds you captive for a year, you’ll still be responsible for making the proper payments on time for the duration.

It wasn’t that long ago that you had to send your phone out to a company and have them perform the unlocking service for you, creating extra postage and time without a phone. But recent technological advances, “secret codes" and e-mail have brought the unlocking service right into your living room. Many companies who provide such a mobile phone unlocking service will give you the “secret code" to unlock your phone based on your IMEI and send it to you almost instantaneously through your email address and the World Wide Web.