Can I get my pay as you go simcard to work in a different phone?
Answers:
Pay as you go SIM cards operate on the GSM network. The big providers (in the US) are T Mobile and Cingular. Both T Mobile and Cingular generally "lock" their phones to inhibit subscribers from using other SIM cards, as you desire. However, most carriers will send you an "unlock code", which is a simple procedure and sequence of keystrokes that you enter on the phone that you want to use a different SIM card. You have to ask the carrier for it and sometimes they want a reason - just say you are traveling oveseas and want to buy a SIM card in Europe; sometimes they won't give you the code if you have been a subscriber for less than a few months. Anyway, if you fail to get the code, there are many places you can send the phone for a fee ($10 - $25) to get unlocked and in big cities, you can usually find stores that will do it on the spot. Many Cingular phones can be unlocked over the air after paying a fee. You will have to provide Cingular, T Mobile or the third party the phone handset IMEI number - 15 digit number - usually located under the battery. See http://www.gsm-technology.com/gsm.php/en.
Note too, some cariers refer to the lock as the subsidy unlock code - it's the same thing. Once unlocked, you can use a SIM from any provider. There is one further wrinkle - the GSM network exists on 4 frequencies - 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. In the US, Cingular tends to use 850 MHz and T Mobile 1900 MHz and it is possible (not common) that the handset is single band or frequency only. The phone frequency must match the Pay As You Go frequency of the SIM you want to use. If not and the phone is unlocked, the SIIM will be valid but you won't be able to reach the network. The phone bands can be verified by going to the handset manufacturer website and looking up the detailed specs for the handset model.
I answered this for the US - if you are UK or overseas based - then it is virtually assured that your phone is GSM. The frequencies are the same as the US exccept 850 is not used. Same story though, the provider locks the phone. If you can't get the unlock code from the carrier (say Vodafone or Orange), then you can go to many newstands and shops and pay a very small fee to have it unlocked. You still have to check the frequency - Orange for example uses 1800 MHz and some handsets are single band.
you can only use it if the phone is a GSM, and is un-locked! here is a link.on the right site check your mak.model.then scroll down.and fill out the form.they will send you the unlock code.right-a-way!
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwar.
You can only use your sim if the new phone is either on the same network or it has been unlocked.
the phone must be unlocked, if not, go to the carrier and ask them to unlock it, if not google it and look for the unlock code for the phone
you need to get the phone chipped to any network, with a cost of about £10.00 normally find people on markets with the proper equiptment
You need to get it unlocked. There are some sites on the internet which ofer this service very cheaply, but they're not all to be trusted. Might be better just to go find someplace down your local high street - usually from £5 and only takes a minute or two.
What network was his phone on and what network is the sim you want to use? you can either buy a new sim card on his phone network and port it in or you can get his phone unlocked which means lift the bar so any network sim card will work. You can get this done in market for about £5-£10.
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