Carriers will be shutting down both their CDMA and GSM networks at various times in 2022 because they are 3G bands, so be aware that at some time during the next year you'll stop being able to use any CDMA- or GSM-only phone. Verizon used CDMA, which stands for code division multiple access, while AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM, Global System for Mobiles.īut most phones manufactured after 2010 are “dual band” and have been able to operate on either network as mobile phone companies built up their 4G LTE networks. The answers vary by what kind of phone you have and which carrier you’re with.Ĭarriers used to have two standards.
Here’s how to determine if your phone is unlocked and how to request that it be unlocked with your carrier. Or perhaps you've purchased a new phone and want to make sure your old one is unlocked to sell it. It’s easy.Other reasons to figure out whether your phone is unlocked: You’re ready to take that bucket list trip to Europe and want to rent a SIM card while you’re there since it likely will be much cheaper than roaming charges overseas with your existing carrier. “Do your research,” Fisco says.Īnd there’s really no reason you can’t handle this on your own. But be careful: People have been caught running fraudulent unlocking schemes in the past. If you’d rather not handle this yourself, you can pay for a service to unlock the phone. To be clear, this doesn’t cancel your service it just gives you the option to move to a new provider with your current phone. The process can take up to two business days, but once it’s done, you’re free to take the phone to another wireless carrier.
If you have a phone that’s compatible with eSIM, such as Apple’s new iPhone 14 phones and several Android devices, moving to a new carrier is easier-but you’ll still need to have your current carrier unlock your phone. Or you might need to enter an unlock card before you can install a new SIM card. In some cases, the carrier will push a software update to your phone, then all you need to do is insert the new carrier’s SIM card and you’re good to go.
0 kommentar(er)
