What is a imei lock

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SIM lock:

A SIM-LOCK, NETWORK LOCK, Carrier Lock, imei lock or (Master) subsidy lock serves as a technical limit built into CDMA and GSM mobile phones by manufacturers for use by service providers to limit using these phones to particular countries and/or networks. This is contrary to a cell phone (retrospectively called SIM-free or unlocked) that does not impose any SIM limitations.The primary reason many carriers SIM lock their handsets is simply because they offer smartphones at a low cost to customers in exchange for a contract to fund using the network for a specified timeframe, normally between one and three years. This business model enables the business to recover the cost of the cell phone covering the lifetime of the agreement. These kinds of discounts are worth up to hundreds of US dollars.


Unlocking Technology:

Normally, a locked phone will display a message if a restricted SIM is used, asking for the unlock code. On recent phone models running Android operating system software, the cell phone should show a message saying “SIM network unlock PIN” or “Enter Network Lock Control Key” if it's network locked. Windows phones will show the message, “This SIM card can only be used on specific networks. Contact your customer service center for the unlock code”. Several other handsets may display alternative messages that include "Enter special code" or "Enter unlocking code," or in some cases the handset may simply display a message stating it's locked. The minute a valid code is entered, the mobile phone will display "Network unlocked” or “Network unlock successful”.


Economics:

Mobile handset manufacturers have commercial incentives both to enhance SIM lock protection (which placates mobile phone network organisations and permits exclusivity offers) and also to weaken it (expanding a mobile's appeal to users that aren't interested in the provider that offers it). Furthermore, making it too tough to unlock a handset may make it much less appealing to mobile phone network service providers that have a legal obligation to offer unlock codes for some devices or in certain countries.


Unlocking Services:

Various companies provide a network mobile phone unlocking service . This service needs people that need to unlock a mobile phone handset to provide their IMEI number to a service supplier and quite often they will also request the country and network the phone is locked to, sometimes sent via email or entered on their website. The company will then supply (for a fee) an unlock code for the mobile phone handset. For many brands such as Nokia and Samsung various services additionally supply unique remote-unlocking software with instructions, where a cable is necessary to remove the SIM lock from home. Such organizations may email the unlocking code or software which will remotely unlock the unit. The price for unlocking a cellular phone will fluctuate based on the network its locked to and the mobile phone model itself, as every unlock code is unique to each individual device.


Unlocking Service Providers:

Disappointingly there are a great deal of dodgy web sites working in the smart-phone network unlocking industry. Consequently it is advisable to be certain you find a trustworthy provider for this service. To assist with your search for a legitimate service provider, we've supplied a list below (and in no specific order) of a few genuine organizations currently offering such services.


Reputable Mobile Phone IMEI Unlocking Service Providers: