Sorry to sound dumb.
2006-07-06 06:15:49 · 6 answers · asked by Evey 6 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
A GSM phone (a phone that uses a SIM card) is usually locked so that it only works with the company that it was manufactured for. For example, if you take a phone made for Tmobile and try to put a Cingular SIM card in it, it will ask for a code to unlock it so that they can use it. Its called a subsidy lock code. If you have a phone that is made for one company but you use another and want to use that phone, you need it unlocked. Some phones come unlocked so that they can be used with any kind of sim card.
2006-07-06 06:22:22 · answer #1 · answered by Chris D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That way they can use other sim cards for the phone other than the company that original gave you the phone. For example when going abroad you might want to buy a local pre-paid sim when you get there. If your phone is T-mobile and it isn't unlocked that other sim card will not work witht that phone. And don't worry before I needed to I didn't know what that meant either.
2006-07-06 13:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by rbsb1999 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Convenience..
You can go to any countries you want that provide's GSM service, and use the same phone you use here in the US or your country..
You do not need to buy a new phone..
Just keep changing the SIM chip..
Keep in mind.. You have to be aware of the frequency of the phone..
US uses 850mhz and 1900mhz
EU and Asia 900mhz and 1800mhz
Make sure your phone has either one of these frequencies when you go to a different countries..
To find out call your provider or go to the Mobile maker's website!
go to specs!
2006-07-06 13:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by emac4lyf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if you have a t-mobile phone and a cingular chip, the cingular chip won't work in the t-mobile phone unless you get it unlocked. This way you can use any phone you want regardless of your provider
2006-07-06 13:19:22 · answer #4 · answered by theamazingkate! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's so if their service provider doesn't have the phone yet or anymore, they can put the sim card in and it will work. with locked phones (the ones that come with plans) the phone will only work with a sim card from that company.
2006-07-06 13:37:41 · answer #5 · answered by skatedrummer93 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unlocked means to use it for any network like if you have a slvr L7, you can only use it for cingular, but if u unlock it, you can use it for any network you want like tmobile,
2006-07-06 14:18:20 · answer #6 · answered by aznboikoogotrice 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋