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What Is An Unlocked Cell Phone

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Typically, when a cell phone is purchased from a cellular service provider (e.g. Verizon, AT&T, and so on), the phone that is bought is locked to the provider's network. What does this mean? It means that the phone you buy from Verizon will only be able to be activated on Verizon's network and the phone you buy from Sprint will only work on their network, and so on and so forth. This creates a problem if you want to switch carriers as it means that you'll have a phone that is useless and will need to purchase a new phone for the new network. This is partly how cellular carriers "trap" their customers - by providing barriers to exit contracts or service plans that make it inconvenient to switch - even if the switch will save you $10 a month.

The process to unlock your phone is dependant on the particular make and model of your phone, but the basic steps are the same. If your phone has a SIM card, simply removing the SIM card and replacing it with a SIM card for another network is "unlocking" your phone. If you don't have a SIM card, you'll need to follow some simple steps to unlock your phone. First, you'll need to find the IMEI number on your phone (usually under the battery). This code is linked to the code needed to unlock your phone and you will be asked for it. Once you have it, do one of the following:

1) A call to your wireless provider might be the easiest and fasted option to unlocking your cell phone. If you explain to your provider your need to have an unlocked cell phone they should be willing to provide you with the code to unlocking your cell phone. If you plan on traveling with your phone, out of the country for example, you will need to have your cell phone unlocked; explaining this to your provider might be the best way to convince the customer service rep you speak to that you need your phone unlocked. If all goes well you will be provided with an unlock code that can be entered into your phone to successfully unlock the handset.

2) If you are unable to get the unlock code for your phone from your service provider, don't fret - you're not alone. There are a number of places online that you can get unlock codes for phones. eBay is a popular place to find unlock codes for particular models of phones, but as always, be aware of who you do business with to prevent getting ripped off. Read seller reviews and ratings to protect yourself.

3) Third party cell phone vendors, such as mall kiosks, often offer unlocking services. They will charge you a fee, but will also be able to test the phone to ensure that all features work on other networks.

Once you have your unlock code for your phone the process to actually unlock the cell phone is very simple. Your code will be linked to your phone's IMEI (identifying number that is unique to your phone), which means that your code will only work for your exact phone. For most makes of cell phones all you will need to do is put in a new SIM card, for another mobile carrier. Your phone will alert you that the SIM you've just inserted is invalid, and will then prompt you to enter the unlock code. Simply key in the provided unlock code. Your phone should then automatically detect the settings of its new wireless provider.

Unlocked cellular phones are handy devices because they give you freedom to move from one network to another. In the end, you can save money on roaming and/or cancellation fees.

What Is An Unlocked Cell Phone

The demands of kids are getting more and more difficult to keep up with. Once upon a time the biggest thing on a twelve year-old's wish list was a new bicycle. Now kids want cell phones at younger and younger ages. How old is old enough to purchase the ever desired cell phone? How young is too young?

Cell phone shopping for younger children can be very difficult. Depending on the age of the child it is possible they have not developed enough self restraint to handle a cell phone. School work may suffer as may other social relationships.

Cell phones now come with internet access, which can present dangers unknown to your child. Easily downloadable information may not be age appropriate. Cell phones also offer children private communication abilities through text messaging.

It is not necessary to activate all of the possible features that come with a cell phone, but understanding your own child's limitations can help you know what is truly appropriate for them at their age. Private texting can lead to highly inappropriate conversations. Unlike instant messaging or phone conversations, texts can be deleted permanently and a parent has no recourse to determine whether a child is having innocent conversations with their friends or are being enticed into dangerous and self destructive behaviors.

They now have cell phones more appropriately geared toward young children. These phones come with a parental control feature that allow access to preset phone numbers such as reaching mom at work, 911 access, and several preset phone numbers of the parents choice, The cell phone requires a pass code to access any changes to the phone's capabilities to prevent the child from listing their own phone numbers in their cell phone.

The appropriate age for taking a child cell phone shopping is truly up to the parent. If a parent thinks that a cell phone has beneficial uses for their child and can handle the limitations imposed as well as basic honesty, then cell phones can be excellent lessons in responsibility. Cell phones can help teach self imposed limitations as well as enhance parental communications. A parent can reach their child at all times to inform them of changes or request their presence at home.

Cell phones can be vital in an emergency. While nobody ever expects an emergency to occur, in the event of one your child and you can remain in communication if they have a cell phone. Sometimes it can be the safest form of communication in an emergency situation. Children who have cell phones can almost always reach their parent.

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About Author

Both David Kraft & Cathy Peterson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

David Kraft has sinced written about articles on various topics from Tax Software, Home Management and Blackberry Review. David Kraft is a freelance author who writes about a number of topics. For more information about , please visit his site with. David Kraft's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.

Cathy Peterson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Home Management and Travel and Leisure. Cathy Peterson writes about ,. Cathy Peterson's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.

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