unlocked mobile????

stimpy27

I hope someone is able to help me,

I have just upgraded my phone, however I have decided to sell the upgrade rather than use it. My problem is I have looked on ebay and a lot of the phones say they are unlocked.... what does this mean. I should be able to sell my phone as it is shouldn't I?? I am worried that because I am with t-mobile the phone will only be able to be used with a t-mobile sim

SOrry I am a techno phobe and vy confused!!!

BexTech

Unlocked means the phone isn't locked to a single network. When you buy a mobile or get one as part of a contract it is usually locked to that network.

As your phone came for use with T-Mobile, then there's an extremely high possibility that it is locked to T-Mobile, so only SIM cards for T-Mobile or their Virtuals (companies that offer mobile phone service, but don't have a network of their own, so pay to use a network providers infrastructure) such a Virgin Mobile, Fresh and M&S Mobile.

For you to be able to use another network the phone needs to be unlocked. How this is done depends on the phone, many Nokia's can be done by entering a code and you can download or run from a website a program that will calculate the code. You may have to use a cable and a local small market stall will do the unlock for £5 - £10, you can phone up your service provider who will provide the unlock code (for a fee -though some like Virgin Mobile offer the code for free as long as you have spent at least £30 (Virgin Mobile) since having the mobile.

Unlocking a phone is perfectly legal.
Unblocking a phone is illegal - this is where a phone that's been block due to being stolen etc and then unblocked usually by changing the IEMI number.

Conor_3

Don't worry about it being locked to a network. Those who want it unlocking are quite capable of getting it done once they've bought it. My last 3 I've sold have all been still locked to their original network

stimpy27

Thank you very much for your help that has put my mind at rest