| Unlocked cell phones have several advantages | | | | The only thing you need to know when you're |
| over phones that are bought from carriers which | | | | shopping for an unlocked phone is what |
| are "locked" to the specific cellular network that | | | | technology your provider uses. You may be able |
| the carrier uses. However, some people | | | | to find a fantastic deal on a used Sprint phone, |
| mistakenly believe that all unlocked phones are | | | | but if you have a contract with AT&T, then |
| the same - that they all work on any network. | | | | that phone won't be useful for you. |
| This is not true, but can be avoided with a little | | | | Below I've made a short list of the major cellular |
| education and information. The basic thing you | | | | carriers and noted what kind of technology they |
| need to know is that there are two different | | | | use. A quick search online will point you in the |
| technologies used on cellular networks in the | | | | direction of a more thorough list that addresses |
| United States - CDMA and GSM. | | | | some of the smaller, regional carriers. |
| These two technologies are mutually exclusive | | | | AT&T - GSM network |
| and phones are manufactured to work on one or | | | | T-Mobile - GSM network |
| the other. In other words, a phone designed for a | | | | Cricket - CDMA network |
| CDMA network cannot be made to work on a | | | | U.S. Cellular - CDMA network |
| GSM network. Of course, the opposite is also | | | | Sprint/Nextel - CDMA network |
| true. | | | | Verizon - CDMA network |
| However, you'll notice that there are only two | | | | What the above list shows you is that you can |
| different types of cellular network technology but | | | | purchase an unlocked phone that was originally |
| there are multiple cellular service providers. This is | | | | designed for Verizon's network and activate it on |
| because each provider uses one of the two | | | | Sprint's network if you're a Sprint/Nextel |
| technologies. So, a phone that was originally | | | | customer. |
| designed to work on AT&T's network can | | | | This is really all you need to know if you're |
| be unlocked to work on any other network so | | | | shopping for an unlocked cell phone. Remember to |
| long as the network operates using the same | | | | limit your search to only the phones that were |
| technology. Since different cellular carriers offer | | | | originally designed to work on a network that |
| different phone models, shopping for an unlocked | | | | uses the same technology that your network |
| phone can expand you choices for your next | | | | uses. Doing so will give you more options than |
| phone beyond those offered by your current | | | | you'll get at your local cell phone store and will |
| provider. | | | | probably help you save some money. |