how are mobile phones "unlocked?"

[dolph]

what is "locked" about them in the first place? what does an unlocked phone do that a locked one doesn't?

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: dolph
what is "locked" about them in the first place? what does an unlocked phone do that a locked one doesn't?

Unlocked phones can be used with different service providers.

 

[Imported]

Not sure how, but an unlocked phone will allow you to use the same phone with different companies if they use the same technology, etc.. Like my unlocked T68 can work with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cingular.

 

[NogginBoink]

You reprogram the EPROM that locks the phone to a service provider.

 

[B00ne]

I think its something like a BIOS update, but they will be unlocked legally after your contract is over. But the unlocking by yourself is usually not exactly legal

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Imported
Not sure how, but an unlocked phone will allow you to use the same phone with different companies if they use the same technology, etc.. Like my unlocked T68 can work with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cingular.

yes this is right

I bought a sony ericson t68i from t mobile, then after a couple of months I called them to unlock the cellphone

they gave me the unlock code, and it takes only a couple of seconds to unlock

 

[Spac3d]

If you have T-Mobile, just ask them and they will unlock it for you