Since unlocking cell phones have been already approved many GSM phones are now being unlocked. If you know what to do you can unlock you cell phone in just a matter of minutes. Some people will send their cell phone to a company that offers unlocking service and will have to wait for the time that their cell phone will be sent back to them as an unlocked cell phone.

For T-Mobile phones, if you have been using your cell phone for ninety days already or you just do not have enough time to have your T-Mobile cell phone unlocked then you can request for an unlock code from your carrier. You simply make a call to their technical support line then ask the agent to provide you with an unlock code. When they ask you why you need an unlock code, you tell them that you are going to travel and you want to use the phone with a foreign SIM card. If they refuse to give you an unlock code you should demand for it because in the first place you bough their cell phone and in return they should provide you with what you need.

For older models of Nokia phones such as 1100, 6820, 6830 or even 765, you can use an online calculator to come up with your unlocked code. For you to be able to have an unlocked cell phone follow the instructions provided to you on how to use the online calculator and how to produce your unlock code. To search for the website that will provide you with the instruction in the search box of a search engine type-in the phrase "online calculator for unlock code" or you can try "online calculator to unlock phone". This search will most likely provide you with numerous numbers of websites that lists the instruction.

For the major or known mobile phones such as Sony Ericsson, Cingular, Treo, other LG phones and smart phones from HTC it can be an unlocked cell phone just by downloading or purchasing an unlocking software online and a customized cable. The software works by connecting to a number of databases that store unlock codes. The user is then asked to specify the model and manufacturer of the locked mobile phone then in a matter of minutes the proper unlock code for the mobile phone is provided. The cost for this method of unlocking cell phones can range from $15 - $16.

But because unlocking cell phone has become so popular today mobile phone manufacturers are now making sure that their mobile phones will not be unlocked easily. New mobile phones when unlocked either require a change in modifications of the mobile phone's hardware. When this is the case the mobile phone is sent to an expert to be configured the mobile phone is then dent back in an unlocked cell phone state already. This is beneficial for the users who are not experts on mobile phones or gadgets and the service can cost the consumers $25.