AT&T, formally known as Cingular, is telecom service provider based in the United States. If you use a Cingular phone, there is a good chance the handset is locked for use with Cingular SIM only. However, if you wish to use it with another carrier, you will have to unlock the phone. Although you can purchase an unlock code from a website, you can also obtain it for free.
Instructions
1. Contact Cingular (AT&T) on the phone.
2. Tell the customer services representative that you want to unlock your cell phone.
3. Provide all the details that the representative asks for including the cell phone model and manufacturer. You will also have to provide the phone's IMEI number (type *#06# to find the IMEI number). Once you provide these details, you will be asked the reason for having the phone unlocked.
4. Wait to hear back from AT&T. Usually AT&T assesses individual cases to find out whether the person is eligible for unlocking. Your eligibility depends on the duration of your contract, and the reasons given for having the phone unlocked. For instance, you may want to have the phone unlocked to avoid roaming charges when traveling abroad. When AT&T accepts your request, you will be granted the unlock code for your phone for free.
5. Insert a SIM other than Cingular and power on the phone. Your phone will then ask you to enter the unlock code obtained from AT&T.
Tags: phone unlocked, unlock code, cell phone, having phone, having phone unlocked, IMEI number
