| The concept of unlocked cell phones goes like this. | | | | give away for free. |
| Carriers that operate on the Global System for | | | | U.S. cellular operators have been slow to pick up |
| Mobile Communication (GSM) such as Cingular | | | | some of Nokia Corp's high-end N-series phones, |
| Wireless, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile use a | | | | which offer high-mega pixel camera and a host of |
| Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card. The | | | | other features that are not found on many |
| SIM card is a microchip that stores subscriber | | | | phones. This led Nokia to open stores in Chicago |
| data. It is issued by a carrier and provides cell | | | | and New York to sell their unlocked phones. |
| service by activating any phone into which it is | | | | Getting unlocked cell phone gives you a freedom |
| inserted. | | | | to choose among a variety of cell phones and |
| A locked phone, as we are used to, will only | | | | their features without being locked into a new one |
| recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier. An | | | | or two-year contract. |
| unlocked cell phone, on the other hand, will | | | | Buying unlocked cell phones will turn to buying |
| recognize a SIM card from any carrier. If this | | | | cheap unlocked cell phones if you travel overseas. |
| sounds like a new thing to you, it really isn't. In | | | | Then you can buy prepaid SIM cards that are |
| fact, in Asia, about 80% of cell phones are sold | | | | designed to work in the country you are visiting. |
| unlocked. And in Europe, roughly 70% of cell | | | | This is cheaper than making out of the country |
| phones are sold independently of a carrier. Only in | | | | calls through your cell phone carrier. You might |
| US from 90% to 95% of cell phones are locked | | | | even find the service more reliable. |
| to a mobile service provider. | | | | Choosing to buy unlocked cell phones will give you |
| Why? Because the carriers subsidize the cost of | | | | a choice to switch cell phone providers without |
| handsets. Operators usually knock off $50 to $80 | | | | losing your phone. After all, if you have a |
| from the cost of the phone. This has greatly | | | | perfectly good phone, why should you buy a new |
| expanded the market by making phones more | | | | one? You can also give away your phone if you |
| affordable but it has also given mobile operators | | | | want to upgrade features or sell it and put the |
| complete control on the cell phones they sell or | | | | money towards your new unlocked cell phone. |