What is a carrier lock

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SIM lock:

A sim lock, NETWORK LOCK, Carrier Lock, imei-lock or (MASTER) subsidy lock serves as a technical restriction built into GSM and CDMA phones by producers to be used by carriers to restrict using these phones to particular locations and/or networks. This is as opposed to a phone (retrospectively called SIM-free or unlocked) that doesn't impose any SIM restrictions.Generally if the mobile phones were not locked, users might possibly sign a contract with one particular company, get the marked down phone, then stop paying the monthly bill (thus breaking the contract) and begin using the mobile on a different network or maybe sell the phone for a profit. SIM locking curbs this by prohibiting a change of service (using a new SIM).




Unlocking Technology:

A phone can be unlocked simply by entering a code provided by the service operator. Different mechanisms incorporate software operating on the device or a computer or laptop attached to the phone, hardware devices that attach to the device or over-the-air by the carrier. Typically the unlock operation is permanent. The code needed to remove all locks from a mobile phone is called the master code, network code key, or multi-lock code. If the phone is carrier locked it will generally display one of the following messages: SIM network PIN blocked, Enter lock PIN.


Economics:

The main reason to unlock a mobile phone handset is going to be able to use it with another SIM card. Customers may need to carry on using their cellphone but with a different provider or when traveling in another country they may want to connect to a international network with a pre-paid subscription.


Unlocking Services:

A lot of organizations offer a online phone unlocking service . This service needs individuals that would like to unlock a mobile phone to provide their IMEI number to a unlocking company and quite often they will also request the country and network the handset is locked to, frequently sent via email or entered on their web-site. The company will then supply (in return for a fee) a unlock code for the mobile phone handset.


Unlocking Service Providers:

Unfortunately there are a huge number of dodgy on line retailers active in the smartphone carrier unlocking industry. As a result it is advisable to be sure you find a honest provider for this service. To aid with your search for a trustworthy supplier, we have provided an inventory just below (and in no particular order) of several legit organisations currently offering such services.


Reputable Mobile Phone IMEI Unlocking Service Providers: