You just don't recognize that something happens even on your precious thing called cell phone. Does locked cell phone ever ring a bell? But no, this is not that kind of lock in the keypad that is very simple to remove. I'm talking about a carrier lock in your cell phone, also known as a SIM lock or subsidy lock. So how does this occur and what should you do? Let's first understand some trivialities on a cell phone system...

CDMA and GSM are two major communication systems used for cell phones. CDMA is a coded response system that binds a phone and its user together to a specific system and to a specific number. CDMA is prevailing in the United States.

GSM, which stands for the Global System for Mobile Communication, is the usual standard in over 200 other countries in the World and is prevailing in the United States. GSM cell phone uses a SIM card to communicate with a particular network. The network provider has the ability to lock the phone so that it will not respond to a SIM card from an alternate provider. Network providers do this obviously for competitive purposes, but many have cried foul over this seemingly unfair practice. When the cell phone is purchased by an individual, he should have the ability to change the SIM card and use the unit on any network that he prefers to use. This provides him the authority to use the same phone when traveling, specifically in foreign countries without paying expensive roaming charges.

We're done with understanding how a locked cell phone occurs, so what to do after it happens? There are basically three ways and each of them demand excruciating amount of time to know your phone more and its system, search for help over the Net and then make call... you get the drift. So here's a better solution.

If you are still in the process of buying a cell phone, prevention is better than cure. While it is conceivable to unlock a cell phone, different persons choose to buy unlocked cell phones. Yes, you have that choice! The truth of the matter's that there is tremendous competition between the various mobile phone service providers. Thus, phone companies are most anxious to lock you into using their service and this is the purpose for locking them. When you own an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose your own service - the stuff you need and the stuff that you just want.

GSM phones are easier to unlock compared to CDMA phones. But then again, in either case, it is better to purchase an unlocked mobile phone than buying a phone and go through the dilemma of unlocking it later. So let's make the equation simple from hereon, buying unlocked phones is the only way to go. And before you take out cash from your pocket, ask the seller and make sure that they truly understand what it is you are asking of them. Once you have your unlocked phone, it is an easy matter to determine if it is truly unlocked. All you have to do is test it and the phone will inform on its status. If it is unlocked you will be capable to use it to connect with whatever service you wish to use.