What is a SIM and what is unlocking
Ordinary cell phone service works so that the unique serial number in your phone (its ESN) is used by the cell phone service provider to identify who you are. The wireless service 'knows' that a particular phone's serial number is your phone and knows to send phone calls to that phone when someone dials your phone number.
A GSM phone is not directly linked to you. Instead, it has a removable account card, called a SIM (subscriber information module) and this SIM has a unique serial number on it. This is what identifies you to the wireless provider.
The important difference about this is that you can put your SIM into any compatible phone (and pretty much all modern GSM phones are compatible with all modern SIMs) and that phone will now act as your phone, because the wireless company sees your SIM inside it. It doesn't care that you've changed phones, all it cares is where to find your SIM.
And now for the really exciting part of this. Just as, in theory, you can put any SIM in any phone, the opposite is also true. Any phone can work with any SIM. So, if you've already bought an expensive phone that you like and have learned how to use, if you change from one GSM wireless company to another one, you don't have to change phones. You can keep the phone you've grown to like, and all you need to do is replace the first company's SIM with your new service provider's SIM.
But, some wireless providers 'lock' their phones, meaning that their phones have been programmed to only work with SIM cards issued by their company. Unlocking your phone so it can work with any SIM card - is what this is all about.
What is GSM? Is it different than normal cell phone service? How do I know if I have GSM or not?
GSM is a type of digital mobile phone service. The more common type of digital mobile phone service in CANADA is CDMA, but just about every other country in the world uses primarily or only GSM.
For you as the user of your phone, there is no difference at all between using a phone on a CDMA system or a phone on a GSM system. Unfortunately, the two different systems are not compatible with each other.
If you have a ROGERS, FIDO ,T-MOBILE, CINGULAR, or recent new M-mode type service with AT&T, then you have GSM service.
Which companies have GSM in CANADA AND USA?
There are three main companies that offer GSM service in the USA. AT&T and Cingular will soon merge into one company, and the third company is T-Mobile.
There are two companies that offer GSM service in CANADA. ROGERS and FIDO which has merged into one company.
If your service is with, eg, Sprint, Nextel, TELUS , BELL Verizon, then you do not have GSM service and your phone can't be unlocked.
Why should I unlock my phone
There are four main reasons why you might want to unlock your phone.
· Because you want to change the wireless company you get service with, and want to keep your present phone.
· You've changed to a different service provider and got a new phone, but you want to unlock your old phone so you can use it in an emergency just by swapping the SIM card over if your main phone gives you problems.
· Because you want to travel internationally and don't want to have to pay the very expensive international rates your present wireless company would charge you while internationally roaming.
· Your wanting to send a cell phone overseas as a gift and need the phone to work with there wireless provider. Same as you receiving a cell phone as a gift from overseas and need the cell phone to work here with your wireless provider.
Will I have to unlock my phone every time I change SIM cards
No. Once we at Calgarycellunlockers unlock your phone, we guarantee it remains permanently unlocked. We have built our own patented equipment which stands out from others, that gets the job done right.
Will my existing service still work with my unlocked phone
Yes, your existing service will work perfectly with no change, as long as you leave your present SIM card in your phone.
Will my existing service provider care if I unlock my phone
Probably not! That is one of the ridiculous things about unlocking which makes the whole thing so unnecessary.
You have already signed a one or two year contract with your cell phone service provider, you are committed to spending a monthly minimum amount with them every month, whether you ever turn your phone on or not! Indeed, in a way, it is probably good for them if you never use the free minutes included in your plan - that way, their monthly fee becomes pure profit!
So, why should they care if your phone is locked or unlocked? Apart from hoping you'll use more than your free minutes, it is all the same to them, one way or the other.
How do I know if my phone is already unlocked or not
Easy. Borrow a SIM from a friend who has an account with a different wireless service provider and see if it works in your phone or not. If it works, and your phone thinks it is his (or her) phone with that phone's number, then your phone is already unlocked.
But if it creates some sort of error message and doesn't work, then your phone is locked.
How do I know if my phone can be unlocked
As far as we are aware, all GSM phones can be unlocked. But if your phone is not a GSM phone, then it probably can't be unlocked; indeed, the whole idea of locking/unlocking phones doesn't really apply to non GSM phones, because your phone number and account is tied to your phone, not to the movable/replaceable SIM chip that is inside it.
How do I know that my phone has been successfully unlocked
Usually, after entering the unlock codes, the phone will say something that sounds sort of encouraging.
Do the test in the question two above. Borrow a SIM from a friend who has an account with a different wireless service provider and see if it works in your phone or not. If it works, then your phone is already unlocked, but if it creates some sort of error message and doesn't work, then your phone is still locked.
I've unlocked my phone, but when I turn it on, it still shows the name of the previous wireless service
This logo (called a 'splash screen') has been programmed into your phone by the company that sold it to you. It doesn't mean anything about which company now provides you phone service.
Unlocking your phone removes the electronic restriction that prevents your phone from working with other SIMs from other wireless services. It doesn't change your splash screen.
The good news is you can get rid of the splash screen without needing to unlock your phone. See if you can find in your phone's manual how to change the splash screen, or consider calling the phone manufacturer and have them walk you through it.
