FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Unlocking your cell phone has multiple benefits : It increases the resell value and marketability of your phone by not restricting the resell to a specific carrier, it allows the handset to work worldwide (See What networks are compatible with my phone ?), it eliminates roaming charges by allowing you to switch to a local carrier in the local region.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, introduced an exemption on November 27, 2006 specifically permitting unlocking of cellular devices. The exemption was scheduled to expire on October 27, 2009, but was extended on an interim basis, because the Register of Copyrights had not yet completed its triennial review of DMCA exemptions. In July 2010, the Librarian of Congress extended the DMCA exemption for another 3 years.

When the purchase price of the mobile phone to the consumer is subsidized with revenue from subscriptions, operators must recoup this investment before a subscriber terminates service. In order to secure their investments, GSM network providers implements a software feature called SIM Lock on the handset to prevent usage outside their network. Such subsidies are worth more than several hundred US dollars and in that's why carriers also charge an early termination fee; another form to recoup the subsidy investment.

Insert a SIM Card from a different carrier than the one your handset is using. When power up is complete the handset will display a message like those below if it SIM locked :

- Enter Subsidy Code
- Enter Unlock Code
- Incorrect Sim Card
- Insert Correct Sim Card
- Invalid Smart Chip
- Phone Restricted
- Sim Network Unlock Code
- Sim Network Unlock Pin
- Special Code Required
- Wrong Sim Card
- Network Lock Control Key
- Sim Password
- Incompatible Sim
- Enter Subsidy Pin

It is a software capability built into GSM phones by mobile phone manufacturers. Network providers use this to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers.

An Unlock Code is a numeric string. When entered into a locked handset it releases the SIM lock restriction and allows the handset to be used on other GSM carriers.

The IMEI (i.e. International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is used by a GSM network to identify devices attempting to connect to them and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. It's only used for identifying the device and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. The IMEI number includes information on the origin, model, and serial number of the device.

IMEI = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit
IMEISV = 14 digits + 2 Digit Software Version Number
IMEI + SV = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit + 2 Digit Software Version Number

The format of the IMEI is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D, (15 Digits) although it may not always be displayed this way. The IMEISV drops the Luhn CD (i.e. Check Digit) in favour of an additional two digits for the SVN (i.e. Software Version Number), making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-EE. The IMEI+SV incorporates both the check digit and the additional two digits for the Software Verison Number, making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D-EE.

On many devices, the IMEI number can be retrieved by entering *#06#, or is located in the battery compartment.

Android : Settings --> About Phone
Blackberry : Options --> Status
iOS : Settings --> General --> About
Sony Ericsson (New Devices) : Options --> status.
Sony Ericsson (Old Devices) : Dial * Right * Left Left * Left

SIM (i.e. Subscriber Identity Module) card is one of the key features of GSM. It is a detachable smart card containing the user's subscription information and phone book. This allows the user to retain his or her information after switching handsets.

An Unlock Code will SIM Unlock the handset from the original locked network, to be used on other GSM networks. (See What Networks are compatible with my phone ?)

Unlocking will NOT add frequency bands for usage on CDMA / IDEN networks, give customer free services (e.g. Internet, Talk, Text, Roaming, Ringtones), remove Lost / Stolen Ban, remove user passwords from SIM card or handset (See What is a PUK Code ?), void your Warranty.

By process of elimination you should be quickly able to narrow down the cause to either a locked/defective phone, or a faulty SIM. If the issue appears to be a faulty SIM visit your neared network provider store to get a replacement SIM Card. If your phone displays this message then try resetting your mobile, turn your mobile off, remove the battery, and ensure your SIM is securely in place. Turn your mobile on again. If you still get this message try your SIM in another working phone - if the SIM works fine in another phone then the issue may be a defective SIM If other SIMs also will not work in your phone then there is a handset fault, or it has been blocked.

If your phone requires a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card which is a small, removable card or chip that contains your mobile account information and is interchangeable between all GSM phones and if you use a SIM card in your mobile phone, then your phone is a GSM device. However if your phone does not require the use of a SIM card (or simply don't have SIM Tray), then your phone is a CDMA device.

Yes, for example if you unlock an AT&T phone, it will still work flawlessly on AT&T.

Yes, as soon as the phone has been unlocked with us, it will stay this way forever.

No, OEM software / OS updates should not lock the phone. However, in the event that the phone does lock again, the customer can reuse the original lock code already purchased to unlock the phone.

No, unlock codes are permanent and do not expire.

It depends on the level of repair done to the handset. If the main board can not be repaired and will need to be replaced, the new main board will have an IMEI number separate from the one sent in for warranty repair and a new unlock code would be required. If the main board is not replaced normally the phone will stay unlocked, in the event it is not, then the customer can use the original unlock code that was purchased for reuse.

To determine compatible networks the customer will need to verify the compatibility of the frequency band from their handset and desired network.

GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges with most 2G GSM networks operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands and 3G networks 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. In rare cases the 400 and 450 MHz frequency bands are assigned in some countries because they were previously used for first-generation systems. Most 3G networks in Europe operate in the 2100 MHz frequency band.

- Africa, Asia, & Middle East
900 MHz {Most widely used} & 1800 MHz
- Europe
900 MHz {Most widely used}, 1800 MHz, & 2100 MHz {3G}
- North America:
USA 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
Canada 850 MHz {Backup / Rural Areas}, 1900 MHz {Urban Areas}
- South America:
Brazil 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800/1900 MHz
Costa Rica 1800 MHz
Ecuador & Panama 850 MHz (Exclusively)
Guatemala, El Salvador, & Venezuela 850 MHz and 900/1900 MHz
Peru 1900 MHz

The cost of unlocking a handset varies upon availability of the SIM unlock code. Some networks will release unlock codes based upon age of the phone or requirements of the subscriber. Typically in the these cases the price per unlocking is relatively low compared to other options. In the other instances the network will not release the unlock code because of strict eligibility requirements or exclusive sales arrangement with the manufacturer or plenty of other reasons, then the unlock code must be obtained through the manufacturer of the phone. Obtaining codes via the manufacturer will in most cases be more expensive than through the network. Additionally all networks don't have the same eligibility requirements and some never releases unlock codes under any circumstances. When this is the case, all models no matter the age of the handset should be requested through the manufacturer.

When using a Carrier / Network unlock method the unlock code is acquired directly from the Carrier / Network (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile). When you purchase your unlock code with us, we will have the ability to waive some of the eligibility requirements. This method is usually the cheapeast, but it only delivers, on average, 75% of orders successfully, the remaining 25% must then be acquired through Factory / Manufacture method.

When using a Factory or Manufacturer unlock method the code is acquired directly from the Factory or Manufacturer of the handset (e.g. HTC, LG). This method is usually more expensive but delivers 95% of orders successfully.

A Hard Lock is a permanent carrier lock. Your phone will become hard locked by attempting to enter an incorrect SIM unlock code more times than your phone allows, permanently locking the phone to the current carrier. Each phone has different limits regarding unsuccessful attempts before the device becomes hard locked. The usual amount for HTC, Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung is 5 attempts, usual amount for LG and Blackberry is 10 attempts. The messages below are examples of what a Hard Locked phone will display.

- BlackBerry :

(0 Left)
Code Error, Please Wait ...

- Huawei :

SIMLOCK block unlock reset KEY
SIM network subnet unlock PIN

- HTC :

You have tried 5 times, please wait for timeout ...

- LG :

Unlock Attempt: 10 of 10

- Motorola :

Contact Service
Contact Service Provider
Number of Attempts Remaining: 0
Tamper Alter
Wait before Enter Special Code

- Nokia :

Cannot Undo Restriction
Not Allowed
This phone only accepts SIMs from specific networks, and has been blocked.

- Pantech :

Contact your customer service center for the unblock code.

- Samsung :

Phone Freeze

- Sony Ericsson / Xperia :

Could not unlock network
NCK (0)
Network (0)

A PUK (i.e. PIN Unlock Key) is required to unlock SIM cards that have become locked after three successive incorrect PIN entries.
Note : If you enter the wrong PUK code 10 times in a row, your SIM card will be invalidated, and you will need to purchase a new one. The phone will display the following error: "PUK blocked call operator".

- Power off your phone and remove the SIM card.
- Insert an active SIM card from a different carrier and power your phone back on
- Attempt to make a phone call (If you are able to call or text then your phone is not locked to a particular carrier)