some cell phone question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Lu Snide: unlocked cell phones mean that a phone normally on available on one carrier like AT&T(Iphone)and be programed to be used on another carrier TMobile

Talisha Digrande: 2

Sook Hershkowitz: Let's start out by talking about a locked cell phone. Normally, cell phones are 'locked' by manufacturer to a specific carrier network. Carriers include AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, etc. The lock is actually a bit of software burned into the 'firmware' of the phone.Why are phone locked? So that the carrier can be reasonably sure that if they sell you the phone far below cost (or even give it to you), you'll be forced to stay with them for a period of one to several years. During this time, a portion of your monthly basic fee will offset the discounted cost of the phone.An "unlocked" cell phone refers to one that has had the software lock disabled. This is typically done by a software patch 'burned' into the firmware of the phone. Once unlocked, the phone c! an be reprogrammed to be used on other carriers' networks. In the U.S. there are several transmission systems, including CDMA, iDEN, and GSM. The letters are techie terms for the type of transmission system, and for most purposes are not important. However, if you plan to travel outside the US, then the most likely case is that the country you'll travel to will be using the GSM transmission system. An unlocked CDMA phone taken to a GSM country will only be useful for holding down papers in a stiff breeze.The reason there's big news about the iPhone being unlocked is that its on AT&T's network, which is GSM. Unlocking it (which has just been accomplished for the first time) is a BIG DEAL to those who want the phone, but don't want to subscribe to AT&T. Apparently there are more than an handful of people in that situation. And there are also overseas GSM users who apparently would like to be really cool with a iPhone on their local GSM wireless carrier's network.A frie! nd of mine travels outside the country quite often, and he had! his U.S. carrier unlock his phone at the end of the contract term. His phone is a GSM model. When he goes to Italy, he simply inserts a SIM card he bought on a previous trip and he's on the local wireless network, paying a much lower per-minute cost. Also, because the phone numbers he programmed in are stored inside his phone (and not on the SIM card), he retains the use of the dialing directory regardless of which SIM card he's using.As for paying a higher per-minute charge to call, say, a Verizon customer, if the phone you're using is NOT on Verizon, and you don't have a 'friends' calling plan that covers a Verizon customer, then you'll pay your normal per-minute rate. The rate you pay has nothing to do with whether the phone is unlocked; it has to do with the calling plan you subscribe to.I hope this helps you.Best regards,Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq.Kramer Telecom Law Firm, P.C.www.TelecomLawFirm.com...Show more