There is some very good news if you have T-Mobile wireless service. A ruling by the U.S. Copyright Office, a division of the Library of Congress, in November 2006 based on a request by Wireless Alliance and Robert Pinkerton for an exemption to Prohibition of Copyright Protection System for Access Control Technology was approved. This ruling only impacts GSM phones based on usage overseas. The ruling pertains to you if you've had your T-Mobile phone for 90 days (or your contract for Cingular service has expired).
Just call the customer service representative and inform them you're traveling abroad and want to use a foreign carrier's Sims (subscriber information module) card. They are required to give you the unlock code for your phone. If they don't give you the code, request to speak to a manager.
One of the primary legal reasons for unlocking cell phones is when traveling overseas. US carriers charge astronomical fees when international roaming charges are applied. Since many countries utilize the GSM system, you can significantly reduce you telephone charges overseas if you have your phone is unlocked. All you have to do is purchase a new sims card from a local retailer, insert in your phone and now, your ready to make inexpensive calls.
Traveling overseas is one of the three main reasons people want to legally unlock their cell phones. The other two reasons why you might want to unlock your phone are because you changed wireless companies and want to continue to use you current phone and you want to keep your old phone as a backup phone after changing companies.
A GSM phone is not directly identified to you. GSM phones have Sims card. Each Sims card has a unique serial number on it. This serial number identifies you to the wireless provider. Your GSM cell phone is designed to be used with any GSM service provider.
There are three methods for unlocking your phone. Some phones can be unlocked by entering in a code. Other phones will require a cable to be connected to your computer and download a firmware file to your phone. The operating systems software will be rewritten to remove the lock. .Another option is to send your phone to a professional unlocking company.
Of course, many people are still willing to pay a “hacker” to unlock their T-Mobile phones to circumvent fees for pay services such as ringtones, internet and picture and text messaging.
When we purchase a phone, we should be free to use that phone for any legal means. Companies should be banned from locking phones for use with other networks. But at least the Library of Congress has clarified the legal circumstances where T-Mobile must unlock your phone.
Send your phone's IMEI number and we will get back to you with the unlock code. Only available for Cingular USA; TMobile USA; Vodafone UK; Orange France, SFR, Bouygues; Amena and Movistar Spain phones
Dec 2006 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235602,00.html
Now that the U.S.Copyright Office)) has given a green light to unlock your GSM or iDen cell phone (click here for details) you can save money on a new phone — provided you can find it unlocked, or unlock it yourself.
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/unlockingfaq.htm |
