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Anonymous Poster

Unlock cell phone

02/27/2008 6:42 PM

A freind give me cell phone but it work only to particular company

Please enlighten me of how they unlock those phone so can be use for any carriers

Since the phone is personal belonging, I thing it legistimate to unlock it

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#1

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/27/2008 8:50 PM

Hello Guest,

You do not give your location, so my reply is a general one.

Cellphones each have a unique numbering system, which is nothing to do with the telephone number issued to the phone, nor the telephone company.

The unique number is similar in nature to the MAC encodement number for Computer Network cards, VOIP Internet telephones and the like.

When a telephone Company orders a batch of mobile phones, perhaps 1,000,000 at a time, the unique numbers are Registered to that Company, and thus cannot easily be converted to another telephone Company service.

One reason for the system, is to make things difficult for users: You want to change Telephone Company - You will have to purchase another phone, and set it up, all over again.

There have been efforts to alter the system, but as Telcos purchase the phones from the Makers, the system is not about to be changed, because the Telcos like to keep their customers captive.

Trust that explains things for you.

Kind Regards....

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#15
In reply to #1

Re: Unlock cell phone

06/08/2010 7:51 AM

For the unlock solutions of mobile phones,

i visit this site http://www.superunlockcodes.com/

It has the some new ideas for unlocking!!!

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#2

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/28/2008 10:24 AM

Guest, many phones are easily unlocked, some more than others... if you have a Nokia for example there are many free web sites that offer a small software to give you the unlocking code needed...

Others, like Motorola etc... may not be so easy to unlock, but they can be!! Just search on google for 'Free unlock software for mobile' you will find many sites do this for free and it is perfectly legal!!!

If you have one that can't be done over the internet just take it to your nearest mobile phone dealer and ask them, they will charge though...

John.

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#3

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/28/2008 11:16 PM

I have unlocked all my phones by calling the carrier company and asking for the unlock code. Simple. You (your friend) must have an active account established under the 'locking' carrier company. Then you need the IMEI code of the phone and phone number and the name of the account holder (your friends name). Get the IMEI from under the battery or type in *#06# and 'send' like making a call and a 17 digit number will appear. The carrier will need this, and will simply give you the unlock code for free. If they ask why you need it tell them because of international travel. I just unlocked all my T-Mobile phones and my company phone which is ATT.

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#8
In reply to #3

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 9:48 AM

" If they ask why you need it tell them because of international travel"

I traveled to England a couple of weeks ago and was told that my phone would not work and I needed to BUY a new one. I didn't I just went to England without a cell phone.

Question, is there a code I could put into my phone to allow it to work in the US and the UK???

or was your statement above just used to get the unlock code?

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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 10:40 AM

If its a 3G phone or 3 band (triband?) phone it should work anywhere, but I guess the telco company won't have the network over here so calls would have to be routed through another telco...??

John.

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#17
In reply to #9

Re: Unlock cell phone

06/09/2010 7:46 AM

To unlock mobile phones,

i visit this site http://www.onlinegsmunlock.com/

It has the best instructions and solutions for unlocking!!!

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 10:56 AM

Depends on your service provider, Labyguy. Most US cell phones will not work in Europe because of the radio technology used. Most US carriers use CDMA whereas European carriers use GSM. (This is a broad, general statement. Exceptions do exist). So, there is no way to make a CDMA phone "talk" to a GSM network or vice versa.

Several manufacturers are now making dual mode phones that will talk on both CDMA and GSM. In my experience, these will talk on CDMA in the US and GSM in Europe only due to RF banding. Most GSM in the US operates on 800 MHz band, 900 MHZ in Europe.

Some US carriers can lease you a GSM phone for your European trip as well.

The advantage of buying/leasing from your service provider is that you can usually keep your current number and have the calls still routed to you while overseas. Of course, when you see the bill, you may not consider that an advantage!

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#12
In reply to #8

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 10:21 PM

We had to get a different phone when we went to Europe 3 years ago. Chances are that your phone was designed for the US market only. Modern phones are designed to handle cell systems worldwide. We took the same phone to China last year and had no problems. We did have to get our carrier (ATT) to change things so we could access the system in each location though.

We currently have 3 cell phones (all Motorola). If one phone goes bad, we can pull the "smart chip" which is located under the battery, and put it in one of the other phones... bringing that number back to life.

Sincerely

Bill

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#13
In reply to #8

Re: Unlock cell phone

03/02/2008 12:11 AM

For 90% of the world you need a Quad band GSM phone. Only a few US carriers have quad band phones (they use a SIM card). Triband will likely get you 85% of the world. But, the real hard one is Korea and Japan and there you need a phone with 2100 MHz, like a Nokia E51. Look in the phone specs on line or under your battery. The new 3G (third generation) frequency is the broad band data connection and it also runs at 2100 MHz. Local US providers will give you a free SIM card for 3G frequency network, but, your phone must be compatible also. A 2100 MHz phone is not in itself compatible without the 3G SIM card. I travel HEAVILY and I know of what I speak. Good luck.

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#16
In reply to #8

Re: Unlock cell phone

06/09/2010 7:44 AM

To unlock mobile phones,

i visit this site http://www.onlinegsmunlock.com/

It has the best instructions and solutions for unlocking mobile phones and it is secure also!!!

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#14
In reply to #3

Re: Unlock cell phone

06/08/2010 7:49 AM

To unlock mobile phones,

my friend visit this site http://www.superunlockcodes.com/

She got the best unlocking solutions at a very low cost itself!!!

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#4

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 2:28 AM

The legal way: you can ask your cellular provider for unlocking your phone and they - depending on their local policy - will do it for free or for a couple of bucks

The "less legal" way: you can find manufacturer- and model dependent unlocking methods on the net...

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#5

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 7:50 AM

I suggest that you search "urban legends" on Google. You will find that these "tips" are just so much hooie.

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#6

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 8:02 AM

Suresh, that is a load of cobblers from a chain email!!!

Delete and ignore it!

John.

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#7

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 8:57 AM

While most phones can be unlocked, it may not do you any good.

When the phone is turned on, it send a signal identifying the carrier it is made for. The nearest tower for that carrier will usually respond. Towers for other carriers will normally ignore your phone. - This is not perfect. I've seen T-Mobile respond to AT&T phones "*6" customer service call.

Different carriers use different protocols. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM (along with most other counties) so if you have a quad-band phone, you can take it traveling. Sprint/Nextel use GCMA/IDEN. None of these are compatible with the others.

If your phone was made for Sprint, nothing you do will let it work with AT&T.

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#11
In reply to #7

Re: Unlock cell phone

02/29/2008 11:02 AM

HarryBurt is right. Different technologies don't play well with each other! IN the US, Verizon, as well as Sprint/Nextel uses CDMA.

The main reason that cell phone service providers don't want you to be able to take your device to another carrier is that the original provider heavily subsidized the purchase of the equipment -- often to the tune of several hundred dollars. It is to their advantage to keep you on their network long enough to recoup that subsidy and eventually profit from your subscription.

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