Considering Unlocking Your Phone? Here’s The Truth

By Author: Kirthy Shetty
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Whenever there’s a swanky new mobile phone worth drooling after, there’s an attached baggage of a locked operator. How often have you given up on the cool new phone just because it comes leashed with an operator and a cumbersome network plan? And how many times have you wondered if you can unlock and set the phone free from the operator? Well here’s the truth – you can AND it’s legal!

Mobile phone networks around the world often lock the handsets they sell in order to keep you as a customer even if your contract with them expires, or you find a better deal with other operators. Locked phones mean you, the customers have less choice.

Still concerned if it’s legal? Read on. In a 2002 unlocking policy review, Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, clearly stated that locked handsets are a restriction to a consumer’s freedom to choose the operator they choose, including having the option of using two different services simultaneously to take advantage of different offers (for example using one SIM for your phone calls, another one for browsing ...
... the internet, and another one for calling abroad).

A locked phone generally does not accept SIM cards from any other service provider. There are a variety of error messages that you get when inserting an incompatible SIM such as “incompatible SIM”, “enter network unlock code” or “enter subsidy PIN”. While there are many reasons why a mobile might not work when you introduce a new SIM, these messages are strong indicators that a phone is locked by an operator.

Here are a few benefits of unlocking your mobile phone:

• Switch Networks - The most obvious benefit is that you can switch networks and usually get a better deal elsewhere. Unburden your wallet!

• Cheap International Call Rates - Ever wanted to use your phone abroad and put a SIM from a local company in it to save on roaming rates? In most cases you will need to have an unlocked phone with similar frequencies.

• Resale Value - Unlocked handsets are worth more in the market which means you can sell them for more money.

• Independence – It gives you a world of flexibility in terms of SIMs, networks, roaming etc. Why be bonded to one network when you can get the one that fits your pocket and needs the most?

Pondering if your phone can be unlocked? The majority of phones can be unlocked and although there are a few exceptions, there are too many to mention individually. Do keep in mind that unlocking phones may affect warranty but phones are designed with unlocking in mind. Careful unlocking of mobile phones will indeed give you a degree of freedom that you desire out of your phone.

Kirthy Shetty, Get more information visit: Unlock Phone

For more information visit: How to Unlock Phone