Unlock phones

Facts You Should Know About Unlocked Cell Phones

An unlocked cell phone is a mobile phone that can be readily used on any GSM network of the owner's choosing without having to commit to a carrier plan of any kind. This means that the owner can slide in a SIM card from any wireless carrier in his or her region to start making calls, surfing the Internet, and benefiting from any of the services available on that carrier's network for its customers.

In contrast to locked phones, an unlocked phone is not tied to a specific carrier. This gives the owner the freedom of switching SIM cards from different wireless telecom networks at will. Cell phones locked to specific carriers typically come with 12 to 24-month contracts meaning you will have to wait until the period expires before you can purchase another phone.

Unlocked cell phones on the other hand, come with absolutely no form of binding contract, giving you the freedom to purchase another device anytime you want.

It's important to note that LTE, the service behind quick data speeds, does not operate on the same radio frequency for every carrier. What this means is that if you purchase an unlocked phone from TMobile for example, it may not work on Verizon's LTE frequency and vice versa. To avoid discovering this the hard way, it's worth verifying first whether your cellphone is on the CDMA or the GSM network, then confirming from there that the same LTE frequency supports a specific unlocked phone and SIM card.

Benefits of an Unlocked Cell Phone

One of the main benefits of using an unlocked cell phone, is the absolute freedom it gives to owners. Apart from the fact that it doesn't come with an expensive one or two year contract, you also get the chance to choose when and which carrier to use. It is often common to find owners of unlocked cell phones with multiple SIM cards from different GSM carriers.

While most wireless carriers offer roaming services for travelers, this service can be really expensive. An unlocked cell phone gives the owner the ability to purchase a local SIM card with a local calling plan at his or her destination for making calls, texting, and surfing the Internet. This can help you cut down call costs considerably while also ensuring the preservation of your existing phone settings for easy access to valuable information, such as contact numbers.
Remember: making calls with a local number is always an advantage no matter which city or country you find yourself in.