UNDERSTANDING UNLOCKED CELL PHONES: UNLOCKED GSM CELL PHONES

Traditionally, cell phones have been programmed specifically to work on a specific carrier. This has been frustrating for users who may want to use a particular cell phone that is not offered by their service provider. For example, a person may decide to leave AT&T and transfer to T-Mobile or vice versa and continue to use their “beloved” hand set. Although both are GSM carriers, in that they use the same wireless technology, an phone originally purchased from AT&T will not work with T-Mobile. Many customers have circumvented this restriction by either “unlocking” their cell phone or by purchasing a phone that is already unlocked.

It is relatively easy to activate an unlocked cell phones on your preferred GSM network. All you have to do is make sure you are subscribed to either AT&T or T-Mobile and be in possession of your provider’s SIM card. If you are a new subscriber, you can simply inform a customer service rep that you are already in possession of a handset and need a SIM card sent to you. (Alternatively, you can simply select a free cell phone that includes a SIM and use it as a backup). Once you receive the SIM card from your provider, you simply place it in the SIM card slot and you are pretty much ready to go.

It is important to note that accessing your service provider’s data service may require some additional provisioning within the phone settings. Our advice is to either work directly with your provider’s CSR or find set up instructions on your provider’s website.

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