Thread: What does it mean to have a phone unlocked?

What is all the unlocked phone stuff about? I dont understand it. If I have an unlocked storm, from VZW, can I use it in other countries the way it is? Do I need a sim card from somewhere else? I guess I dont get it.

Thanks

A locked one will only accept sim from the original provider, which might be very expensive when abroad...

If you want to see if your phone is locked:

options/advanced options/SIM card - type: mepd
if net/network is set to inactive/disabled

your phone is an unlocked one

So if I go their type in mepd and everything says disabled What then? Is it all unlocked?

If you need to unlock your device, please use a reputable unlocking service. Sometimes it may seem a good deal, but a good unlock service will offer gurantees and support for their service.

Alan

ANother simple way to test - if ur phone is unlocked -is to insert a SIM card of another provider (other than whose name is printed on ur device). If you can make calls then your phone is unlocked.
However CDMA is a different ball game. Unlike GSM, CDMA uses PRL and other parameters to config/activate the handset on a new network. In such a case, you need to get your handset programmed by the new network provider which may not be always possible. I recall that somewhere in 2007 or so, USA passed a law making it mandatory for service providers to unlock the phone when the customer is leaving the nW or the country. SPrint/Verizon started unlocking CDMA handsets then.

Originally Posted by clive

ANother simple way to test - if ur phone is unlocked -is to insert a SIM card of another provider (other than whose name is printed on ur device). If you can make calls then your phone is unlocked.
However CDMA is a different ball game. Unlike GSM, CDMA uses PRL and other parameters to config/activate the handset on a new network. In such a case, you need to get your handset programmed by the new network provider which may not be always possible. I recall that somewhere in 2007 or so, USA passed a law making it mandatory for service providers to unlock the phone when the customer is leaving the nW or the country. SPrint/Verizon started unlocking CDMA handsets then.

Right, all I had to do when I left the US with my Verizon phone was call up customer service and they gave me a code to unlock my device.

An unlocked phone simply means that the device is locked to that carrier only. Meaning, it can only be used with that carrier. When you unlock the device, it can be used with any carrier. However, it can only be used with certain frequencies. Hence, the purpose of different devices (9900 and 9930).