locking of phones & sim cards - questions
May 27, 2004, 12:58 am
#1
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
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locking of phones & sim cards - questions
OK... so I know that mobile phones can be locked, as in that they can be programmed so as to only work with SIM cards from one cellular provider.
Now, is it possible to lock SIM cards also...? What I mean is, can there be a SIM card that works only on selected GSM phones (ie. those sold by a selected cellular provider?)...?!!???
Im thinking of buying a tri-band GSM phone here in Asia and want to use it with a new provider in Argentina but Im not getting any straight response from the marketing doode Im in contact with. He of course wants me to buy the phone from them...
Now, is it possible to lock SIM cards also...? What I mean is, can there be a SIM card that works only on selected GSM phones (ie. those sold by a selected cellular provider?)...?!!???
Im thinking of buying a tri-band GSM phone here in Asia and want to use it with a new provider in Argentina but Im not getting any straight response from the marketing doode Im in contact with. He of course wants me to buy the phone from them...
May 27, 2004, 1:29 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
No, I have never heard of a sim card that is locked to a phone. It is possible to put a sim change sim in a phone so it needs a code when the sim is changed, but I've never seen an operator do that.
The majorty of phones sold in Asia are unlocked. Should you come across a locked phone then they are almost always capable of being unlocked, usually through a phone service firm.
Phones are locked to a sim by using the network code, each operator has a network code, like 201-10. Then the operator also has a "subset", so the network can lock a phone to say 201-10 subset 3, in this case the network subset 3 could be prepaid.
This way an operator can lock phones sold for paid subscribers and prepaid subscribers.
The easiest way to check if a phone is locked is of course to just put a foreign sim in it.
There are also codes available to check it.
The majorty of phones sold in Asia are unlocked. Should you come across a locked phone then they are almost always capable of being unlocked, usually through a phone service firm.
Phones are locked to a sim by using the network code, each operator has a network code, like 201-10. Then the operator also has a "subset", so the network can lock a phone to say 201-10 subset 3, in this case the network subset 3 could be prepaid.
This way an operator can lock phones sold for paid subscribers and prepaid subscribers.
The easiest way to check if a phone is locked is of course to just put a foreign sim in it.
There are also codes available to check it.
May 27, 2004, 5:09 am
#3
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,687
Gracias Scotty..... I am clear to buy then... 
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