What is unlocking and why is my mobile phone locked?

Unlocking is the name given to the practice of changing the settings on your mobile phone so that you can use any SIM card with it.  Mobile phone networks around the world often lock the handsets they sell in order to keep you as a customer when your contract with them expires, or once you decide you can find a better deal somewhere else. Locked phones mean customers have less choice.  In a 2002 unlocking policy review Ofcom clearly states that locked handsets are a restriction to consumers’ freedom to choose the operator they choose, including having the option of using two different services simultaneously to take advantage of different offers (for example using one SIM for your phonecalls, another one for browsing the internet, and another one for calling abroad). In the UK, companies most often lock mobiles because they tend to come subsidised at point of sale. This means that mobile operators absorb part of the cost of the mobile, so they expect you to stay with them until they make back this cost (and beyond, as many of you have discovered!)

Is unlocking illegal?

Unlocking is legal. One practice that is illegal in pretty much everywhere with telecommunications laws is the practice of unblocking phones. When handsets are stolen or reported missing their MSISDN is registered and then shared among operators in order for them to refuse to connect the phone to their networks. When a phone is unblocked, its unique identifier is changed so that it can be used again. This effectively makes it possible to use stolen phones.

 Is unlocking safe?

Phones are designed to be unlocked. Ofcom don’t allow the selling of phones in the UK that can’t be unlocked . Having said this, not all methods used to unlock handsets work in the way the manufacturers intended. As a general rule, if you’re typing in a series of codes to unlock your phone this is likely to be a safe method. As soon as you connect your phone to a device or software built by a third party you run the risk of changing settings deep within your phone that may affect its usability. Finally, as the case of unlocking SIMs shows, attempting this practice may involve physical damage to your SIM and your phone, rendering them unusable and/or in need of repair/replacement. While unlocking isn’t illegal, it can be dangerous!

Will unlocking my phone affect my warranty?

More than likely.

Please be aware that it’s more than likely your warranty will be void if you unlock your phone. However it MAY be possible to “relock” your phone if required – although I make no guarantees regarding this so please do not unlock your phone unless you are sure you are prepared to take the risk!  While I’ve never heard of anyone being taken to court for unlocking their phone. What I do know is that mobile operators have been known to refuse to fix phones that have been unlocked although this is pretty rare, remember it’s in their interest to have your phone on their network!

Why should I unlock my mobile phone and what are the benefits of unlocking. 

There are several very good reasons why you should unlock your phone:

• You can keep your current phone
• You are not tied to one Service Provider
• You can use any network
• You are free to use SIM cards from networks that are cheaper
• Use SIM cards from cheaper local Service Providers when roaming abroad
• If you buy a new locked phone, you can unlock your old one and use the same SIM card in both (i.e. use your old phone as a spare)
• The second-hand value of unlocked phones is greater

If you have a multi-band phone that will work in many countries, then it makes sense to take it with you when travelling, and there comes the problem. If your provider locked the phone, then you can’t use local SIM cards in the countries you visit as it is usually a lot cheaper to use foreign cards than to pay the charges required by your service provider back home. International travellers can gain a lot from having an unlocked phone, and it could be that your current provider has no roaming agreement in certain countries, meaning that you aren’t able to use your phone at all while you are in those countries. International roaming charges can be a lot more expensive than simply buying a local SIM card when you arrive in a foreign country.

Resale values of unlocked phones are higher, simply because they can be used with any provider rather than being limited to one particular provider and it also makes selling your phone easier.

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