How does UNLOCKED work?

[phildaug]

Am I understanding this corect? A Unlocked device will allow you to change between carriers, providing they are compatable with your phone network (ie CDMA).

Is this something that can be changed with a device after purchase? Changing/buying these smart phones is not cheep if you need to switch carriers.

Thanks for the Help.

[chris]

Am I understanding this corect? A Unlocked device will allow you to change between carriers, providing they are compatable with your phone network (ie CDMA).

Is this something that can be changed with a device after purchase? Changing/buying these smart phones is not cheep if you need to switch carriers.

Thanks for the Help.

Yes you can easily switch carriers provided they are GSM based (ie. SIM card). Swapping SIM cards allows you to switch networks on an unlocked Treo.

[phildaug]

....Swapping SIM cards

What are SIM cards?

[chris]

What are SIM cards?

SIM cards are cards that get inserted into the phone. When you sign up for service on a GSM network (Cingular, T-Mobile), you'll get a SIM card. Insert that into an unlocked Treo 680 and you're off. If you travel to Europe, you could purchase a SIM card and easily "swap" services. CDMA phones do not use a SIM card.

-Chris

[jreagles16]

you could also check out the wiki for more info on GSM and CDMA.


CDMA phones can't be used on other networks like GSm phones can be. It you switch service providers you need to buy a new phone for that service provider.

[eddiem]

Most of the rest of the world work on GSM networks. That's why unlocked cell phones are popular. If you travel abroad and have an unlocked GSM phone, you can usually pick up a sim card at the airport of whatever country you're flying into, pop it in your phone and away you go, without having to rack-up roaming fees and in some cases long distance fees.

Sprint and Verizons phones can only be used on Sprint and Verizon.

[benjie]

CDMA phones are not subject to being locked - that is a GSM function. Ben