Buying a cell phone means you also need to know several things regarding your own cell phone. Take it for instance, cell phone unlocking. What is it actually?

When you register for a new cell phone service and get “brand new” cell phone for free, don’t get too excited yet, because it’s more likely the company has “locked” your cell phone to work only on their network. The reason they do that as to make you believe if you want to change your cell phone number, it would be useless, but that’s not entirely true.

Almost all cell phones especially GSM (the one’s with simcard in the back) can be used on more than one network of the same type, like GSM Providers like Tmobile, Cingular, XL, Orange, and many others can use the same unlocked cell phones.

Why do I even need to unlock my cell phone?

It’s simple, because unlocking your cell phone enables you to use your cell phone on different providers (cell phone numbers). It saves you quite a lot of money when you change cell phone companies but you don’t want to give your old cell phone up. Besides, you can also use different providers when traveling to save on long distance call. You can simply use the local providers pre-paid simcard and instantly save money.

You might be thinking “If only I knew this sooner..”

Yes, the cell phone company let you to think the only way you can keep the cell phone you love if you stay with their services. The cell phone companies lose money when subscribers leave so of course they’re not going to tell you that you have a choice.

If I want to unlock my cell phone, is it legal?

Totally, it’s legal to do so, as you’re not doing something hacking or breaking into anything. All you do is just restoring your cell phone to the original factory settings.