WHY LOCKED
If you get a cheap mobile phone , the operator wants you to use HIS network for
the discount you got. The operator can do this by making you sign contracts, OR he can
lock the phone so you can't use the SIM of a different operator in that phone as a
hardware restriction.
A phone with SIMLOCK is
like a radio that can be tuned to 1 station only.
WHAT
IS LOCKED:
 | a Phone can be locked
|
| the SIM is NEVER locked!
|
The SIM itself is not
locked: you can use it in any compatible cellular phone.
HOW
TO KNOW IF PHONE IS LOCKED:
Only phones bought in a
"package", together with a SIM, can be locked. If the phone is locked, it is
allways written on the box (legal reasons)! If you have to sign a contract before
they let you take the phone home, it is likely to be NOT locked. But if you don't have to
legitimeer yourself at all, it is probably locked.
A phone is likely to be
locked if:
| it is realy cheap; |
| you didn't even have to tell
your name in the shop (eg prepaid). |
A phone is likely NOT to be
locked if:
| it is realy old (Nokia 2110
etc.); |
| you signed a contract to pay
abonnement for at least a year; |
| if you buy a loose phone
without a SIM (off course). |
But only by trying
with a different SIM you can be shure.
The SIMs and the phones won't break from this.
WHAT
SORTS OF LOCK ARE THERE:
| lock phone to SIM |
| lock phone to OPERATOR
(network lock) |
| lock phone to CODE (product
lock = offer lock) |
If your phone is locked to
the SIM you cannot use any other SIM than the one you have: SIM broken makes
phone useless.
If your phone is locked to
an operator, you can use any SIM from this operator in your phone. You can switch
between abonnement and prepaid as you wish, but not to a different operator.
If your phone is locked to
a code, the phone checks a special "password" (GID) on the SIM that
must match your phone. Providers often use different passwords for abonnement and prepaid.
Note: a phone can have more
than 1 lock active at the same time! |
