Anybody here know much about unlocking cell phones? where do i get it done? how much does it cost?

The plan im on now ends in march, but i dont like my phone and im thinking of getting a new one. however, im on a bell plan, and the new phone i want to buy is from rogers. (i want to keep my same bell number)

so would be able to buy the new phone at rogers, unlock it, then use it with my bell number and the remainder of the plan? is that even what unlocking means?

 

Radioshack has always done ours. The manufacturers of the phone can always help point you in the right direction too. My Seimens was a pain to unlock, the manual never gave a phone number needed to unlock the phone.

 

What brand phone is it ?

 

The phone i would like to get is the motorola v551m much music edition. this one here:

http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wire...551M&summary=1

 

check out www.howardfoums.com

I guarentee that your question will already have been asked and answered several times there, just do a search. I also recomend that you join, it's a forum dedicated to cell phones with mostly Canadian users.

 

you can't unlock a GSM phone and use it on Bell's network, they don't use GSM. Basically, in Canada, you are going to go with Rogers or Fido if you unlock your phone. Bell uses CDMA. You may be able to find a phone in the US that uses CDMA, unlock it and use it but you'll be stuck with Bell as your provider in Canada only.

 

thanks for the help people. i may just not worry about the hassle, and just get a rogers plan/pay as you go, and just get a whole new number all together. i guess it wouldnt be that big a deal really.

 

that howard forums has tons of info on cell phones there, ill probly find everything there is to know about the cell phone i want to get and a whole lot more about cell phones in general.

 

Rogers and Fido now use the same network.. Bell uses there own networks CDMA only... Rogers/Fido just use there towers when they get out or range for there own towers.

 

You cant switch numbers between networks. also rogers and bell dont use compatible digital technology. Bell uses CDMA like Telus, Rogers uses GSM, and TDMA their older setup. Even if phones run on the same technology there can still be differences in software design thet keep them from being able to switch networks.
The lock code is a security password that is entered before being allowed to program the phone NAM (tel #)