| SIM lock is a feature that is particularly designed by | | | | the user can only use the SIM cards for the particular |
| mobile phone manufacturers and it is an in-built system | | | | service provider. This is particularly useful for pay as |
| embedded into GSM phones. The main motto of the | | | | you go mobile phones. |
| SIM lock feature is to accessibility of network | | | | The SIM card made as country specific is workable |
| providers to limit the use of their subscribers' phones | | | | within a specific country or group of countries in |
| up to specific region (mainly countries) and to certain | | | | particular. |
| network providers. | | | | Laws on SIM locking |
| At present, the SIM lock is dependent on three modes | | | | The laws governing SIM locking system is entirely |
| of operation: | | | | dependable on different companies. In case of |
| · The type of SIM: It implies that only a certain | | | | particular providers like AT&T Wireless, it never allows |
| type of SIM can be used in a particular mobile | | | | unlocking to its customers, whereas the new AT&T |
| · Network service provider: It implies that the | | | | allows unlocking to its customer after 3months |
| connectivity will be restricted depending upon the | | | | successful standing on their part. |
| network service provider, for example, T-Mobile, | | | | There are various rules in different countries that are |
| AT&T | | | | truly dissimilar than others. For example, in Belgium, the |
| · Country specific: It implies that the phone will be | | | | act governing the communication does not support |
| workable in a particular country, but not in the other | | | | any locking feature in mobile phones. Therefore all of |
| Types of SIM locking | | | | the mobile phones sold in Belgium need to be unlocked. |
| Essentially there are three types of SIM locking | | | | The laws are quite different in Netherlands and Spain |
| features available in the market. The hardest and most | | | | where the service providers need to deliver the |
| difficult type of lock is SIM card lock; this implies that a | | | | unlocking code along with the mobile phone at the time |
| phone is workable with only one SIM. This is difficult in | | | | of selling. This may be chargeable for an initial duration |
| terms of changing the mobile itself once the SIM gets | | | | of 12 months in some cases. |
| damaged. | | | | On the other hand, in Hong Kong and Finland carriers in |
| The most commonly used SIM lock option is service | | | | particular are not eligible to sell locked mobile phones to |
| provider lock or SP lock. It depends on the physical | | | | their customers; however, exceptions are there for |
| network that many of the service providers may | | | | particular sets. |
| access. When SP lock option is enabled, it affirms that | | | | |