I just heard on the news that Obama is about to sign a bill that allows "unlocking cell phones".

What does that mean? What's locked on cell phones?

From what I understand it would mean that regardless of who the carrier of your cell is now, once this is done they would work on any carrier. I don't know for sure. In other words the cell phone wouldn't be carrier specific.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

No clue why this needs to be a federal bill/law, though

Does this help explain the situation?

Bill Allowing Americans To Unlock Cellphones Passes House, Heads To Obama : The Two-Way : NPR

In the past cell phones were generally purchased from a carrier who placed a "subscriber identification module" (SIM) card in the device which linked you to that carrier.

(Subscriber identity module - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

If I am correct, "unlocking" or removing this link will allow you to switch carriers and still retain the same cell phone/PDA device.

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That's what we do!

That's about it.

The advantage for me was when I traveled over seas. I could use my FIL's card and still have a phone I was used to.

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Dum vivo cano

This won't necessarily end well, especially for those that travel overseas. The foreign cell providers usually partner with certain carriers here and go to a lot of trouble to block unlocked 'phones because they are usually stolen sets that have been hacked.

It worked for me but it's been a few years. Now my carrier gives us extra for travel so we just use them sparingly.

T-Mobile. One of the few companies that appreciate long term customers. At least that's been our experience.

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Dum vivo cano

Well, I'm not worried about this in the least, as all my cell phones are pre-lock!
peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

BOOO HISSS

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

It has been on the internet for a long time. Find the right site and you could get instructions on how to unlock your phone. Some times it would work and sometimes...

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Re: OP. Good bill. Customer pays for and owns the phone. Customer has the choice of who they want to use for a carrier. Force carriers to compete for business. Customer is not locked to any one single carrier. Has the power to choose as he sees fit. What's not to like?

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<><

This is one of few things I agree at the leader is doing. Im tired of buying new phones every time I change companies.

T mobile will unlock your phone if you as them too but they are the only ones