Cell Phone Unlocking
If there's one aspect of the cell phone industry that is universally hated by consumers, it is the locking of handsets. If you don't know what this means - and this is something you need to know as a cell phone user - is that when you buy a phone through a service provider, the phone can only be used with that provider. So if you want to switch providers, you'll have to purchase a brand new handset. How is that fair? You already own a handset, so if it's compatible with a new service you should be able to just use it. Or at least that's our line of thinking.
This issue has been brought to court before, but with unsuccessful results. So what are you, the consumer, supposed to do now? You're always laying down for the man, so why not take a stand on this one? We have a suggestion:
This is an unconditional suggestion; it doesn't matter if you plan to switch providers tomorrow or never plan to for as long as you live. As long as phones are locked, the service providers have a distinct and unfair advantage. Negate that advantage by unlocking your phone.
Please note that unlocking your phone is legal. The phone is your property, and so long as you don't create interference with other electronics devices, you're free and clear to do what you will with it. However, this may void your warranty on the phone, and it will likely cause customer service to give you a hard time. This should not affect your decision, though, unless you have an uber-expensive phone still under warranty.
Which providers are on the GSM network?
If your phone has a SIM card - that is, a tiny computer chip inserted into it - then you're on a GSM network. The major carriers of GSM in the US are AT&T and T-Mobile. Then you have your regional carriers and MVNOs. Of those we have reviewed, the following are GSM-based: Tracfone (though that depends on your region), Net10 (ditto), XE Mobile, and Locus. As you can see, most US carriers are on a CDMA network.
Still, AT&T and T-Mobile comprise a large number of US cellular users - over 100 million, and that's before you factor in the MVNOs and regional networks. So this still applies to plenty of people. Those with Verizon, Sprint, or an MVNO thereof, you're kinda out of luck here. But, as we said, we will touch on this in just a minute.
How to unlock your GSM phone
First thing to remember: T-Mobile and AT&T will unlock your phone for you, granted you meet certain requirements. With T-Mobile, it's ownership of the phone for 90 days. For Cingular, it's when your contract expires. Yeah, those aren't ideal time frames, but it's a quick and easy way to get it done. You might catch some flak from customer service, but keep asking for supervisors and you'll get the job done.
If you don't meet those qualifications, however, there are alternatives. One of the more popular strategies for unlocking phones is to find a specialist. This is relatively cheap - $25 on average plus shipping - and is the most reliable unlocking method. If you're not familiar with the hardware of a cell phone and try to perform a hardware unlock yourself, you run a high risk of permanently damaging the phone. Sending away mitigates that risk.
Or, buy an unlocked phone
If you're looking for a new phone anyway, why not buy it already unlocked? That way you'll save yourself the hassle of getting your phone unlocked later. There is really no reason not to do this if you're with AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other GSM provider.
Still, it can be a worthy investment if you're not the type that likes to switch your phone every year. That way, you'll always have the freedom to switch providers without changing your phone. You could easily break even if you changed providers just once.
So what are you waiting for?
Don't let the cell phone carriers get the better of you. Free yourself from their unfairly imposed bounds and get your phone unlocked. If nothing else, this is a symbolic stand against cell phone carrier oppression. You own the phone, and you should be able to do what you will with it. Anything less is simply un-American.