What is with these unlocked cell phones?

Can I buy an unlocked phone and then get it activated by my cell phone company without the company forcing me to change or upgrade my current plot?

Answer by Paultech
or all u would need to do is get a new sim for the phone. which u can get from most phone shops if u want to go pay as u go.
if u want to go contract then there might be a few problems with that.

Answer by coolbeanie27
Yes if the cell phone is unlocked, That means for example you have cell service with us cellular and the phone you bought is a t-mobile phone but it is unlocked. You take your phone to us cellular and they can obtain a digit that you program into your t-mobile phone and it will allow you to use it with your us cellular service.
If the phone is the same provider as your current service then just place your sims card into it and it will work.

Answer by weebles
Some companies such as Cingular lock their phones so if you buy a phone from them you can’t use it except with them. Unlocked phones can be used with any company that uses the same technology. for example nextel will only work with IDEN tech and verizon, sprint, US Cellular will only work with CDMA, TMobile, Cingular, CellularONE will only work with GSM. know what you are export and what you need before you get it.

Answer by Serious Black
You can buy an unlocked cell phone but you should conduct some research/web search prior to purchasing it. You have to make sure that the technologies are compatable, i.e the phone you want and the service you have now – - 3G, CDMA, GSM, EV-DO, etc.
The other thing to take in to consideration is that some of the features on the phone you want might have software/features that are compatable with that of the ORIGINAL carrier the phone was UNlocked from. Those features might be the ability to download ringtones, wallpapers, animations and games.
DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR PURCHASE.

Answer by bill91173
There are really a couple questions here. Unlocked phones as clarified in some of the other answers refers to not having a “subsidy lock”. A “subsidy lock” means that the wireless provider has had the equipment locked to their network in an effort to minimize financial loss when providing phones at a significantly discounted price or sometimes for free with a new contract. If you have an unlocked phone of the right technology you can get it activated.
The second part about not changing your plot will depend on a few things. Primarily if your ancient phone is the same technology or not. Changing phone technology will frequently require changing rate plans. If both ancient phone and new phone are the same technology you should be able to switch phones. Be sure to say your provider so they can note the new phone’s identification (IMEI) in their system. That will help confirm that data services will work correctly and if you carry insurance on your phone you can make sure the right phone is insured.

What do you reckon? Answer below!

I want a new cell phone, but I don’t like any of the ones my service has to offer and I’m looking for a new unlocked phone but i just wanted to make sure they would work ok unlocked.

Answer by Richard F
You know that it is not secure. So be careful what you say. Huge Brother is listening. So are lots of other people.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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