What are unlocked cell phone handsets

Unlocked cell phones are sought after by many because after all, who wouldn't want to own the cell phone of their choice on their terms? An unlocked cell phone is any cell phone that isn't coded or 'locked' to only function with a certain plan or provider. Companies that make cell phones such as Motorola, Samsung, and Nokia merely make the actual phones; cell phone plan providers such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are the ones who generally sell phones tied to their network.

The problem with locked phones is that they only function on the network of the provider with whom you have a current cell phone contract with. Many people try to override this by simply taking their SIM chip (a card that stores one's contract information, numbers, plan type, and more) and placing it in a phone from another provider. Some providers don't use these chips making it near impossible to use their phone with over services while some phones are coded not to accept SIM chips from another provider.

This locking of phones restricts one's ability to get the best phone for their needs or wants and essentially locks someone into using only the phones their provider offers. These phones may not be the one you want, may be poor quality, or maybe just don't have the same features and abilities of that cool new phone everyone else seems to have.

Unlocked cell phones get rid of this restriction and allow you to use the phone on any network you choose as long as the phone is compatible with the network being accessed and as long as you have a functioning SIM chip from a current provider that fits in the phone.

Getting an unlocked cell phone used to be a skill only techies could do, but nowadays many cell phone makers produce and cell unlocked versions of their popular models to electronics stores and online to anyone who wants them. Then people can take their SIM chips and 'plug' this phone into their current cell phone plan. You'll generally pay more upfront for an unlocked phone because most providers offer discounts on handsets if you buy it from them in a contract.

You'll also run into limitations with an unlocked phone at times. Some networks only work with certain phones or have content on their networks only accessible by certain phone models. Also many cell phone providers have fought back foolishly against unlocked cell phones by contracting with cell phone makers for exclusive phone models only available through the plan provider. A popular example of this exclusive phone for one provider is Apple's iPhone that is only available with an AT&T phone contract and impossible to legally buy unlocked as of mid-2008. Also many phone models may be available to anyone, but a certain network might have the maker design a slightly different version of the model for their customers.

Unlocked cell phones are really something that should be made available to everyone, the restrictiveness of cell phone contracts and phones being available only with certain providers take power away from the customers. Computer for example can generally connect to any internet provider you wish and most software is designed to work with a wide array of computer makes and models. The consumer chooses the computer that fits their needs, then the software and internet plans that meet those needs without being forced into one plan or the other.

Cell phone plan providers need to see that unlocked cell phones give users a choice and allow them to access the network that best suits their needs with the device that they want. Too many people either settle for subpar phones because of their contract or plan while others go to a provider only because they have the hottest new phone handset; only to be disappointed by service or plan rates. Unlocked cell phones work on most networks and most providers, but for now they tend to cost a little more and take a little researching before being able to talk on the go.