What does an unlocked cell phone mean?

[Spongo]

Does it simply mean that the cellphone can be used with any carrier?

 

[MidasKnight]

That's about it.

 

[DarkManX]

any gsm carrier to be exact.

 

[InlineFive]

But doesn't the carrier need to register it first? I would be ridiculus if the phone could work without having a specific service provider.

 

[EngenZerO]

sim cards are your friends...

 

[thereds]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
But doesn't the carrier need to register it first? I would be ridiculus if the phone could work without having a specific service provider.

The SIM card registers it.

It's not registered in the hardware of the phone.

 

[Spongo]

Here's my issue: my original phone was a samsung phone with tmobile; I then got a motorolla phone that was supposedly unlocked. I took out the sim from my samsung and put it in the motorolla. All is well except I cant access tmobile's network to d/l ring tones, however, I can send and receive calls no problem. Any clues?

 

[thereds]

Originally posted by: Spongo
Here's my issue: my original phone was a samsung phone with tmobile; I then got a motorolla phone that was supposedly unlocked. I took out the sim from my samsung and put it in the motorolla. All is well except I cant access tmobile's network to d/l ring tones, however, I can send and receive calls no problem. Any clues?

That doesn't have anything to do with your phone being locked or unlocked.

Probably some other issue.

 

[Spongo]

And another thing - the new motorolla has a cingular splash screen, shouldn't it switch to my carrier, tmobile?

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: thereds

Originally posted by: Spongo
Here's my issue: my original phone was a samsung phone with tmobile; I then got a motorolla phone that was supposedly unlocked. I took out the sim from my samsung and put it in the motorolla. All is well except I cant access tmobile's network to d/l ring tones, however, I can send and receive calls no problem. Any clues?

That doesn't have anything to do with your phone being locked or unlocked.

Probably some other issue.

yeah I am guessing its the username/pass issues... maybe u havent put in the username in ur new cellphone?

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Spongo
And another thing - the new motorolla has a cingular splash screen, shouldn't it switch to my carrier, tmobile?

Nope - the code saved to the Motorola phone was from the original carrier (Cingular). If you connect your phone to your PC, you can change your splash screen among a million other things but otherwise it'll stay the way it is.

 

[Spongo]

what software do i need to connect it to my pc?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Spongo
what software do i need to connect it to my pc?

A data cable & software, both available from eBay.

 

[Spongo]

hmm...i can find the data cables but no software.

 

[daveymark]

go to howardforums.com, you will get much more detailed help over there. do a search on your phone model to start off with, and research what you're looking for. If that doesn't work, post a question in howardforums regarding your specific need.

 

[Spongo]

thx daveymark!