Unlocked Smart Phones Are Valuable To Have Around

| Thursday, February 23, 2012
By Richard Horowitz


Having unlocked smart phones means you have a phone that's usable in the event you decide that you no longer want to stay with your current mobile phone provider. When your phone is unlocked, you don't have to adhere to the terms of any existing contract or price plan, which leaves you as a free agent, not tied to any cell phone company wanting to leave when their level of customer service drops below your expectations.

It can be a very unpleasant experience if your carrier forces you to stay with them because your phone won't work if you move elsewhere. Mobile phone providers have different availability and rules in different states.

For example, if you live in a town of less than 1,000 in the Appalachian states, you won't get the rich selection of cell phone carriers that you'd find in LA or New York. If you own a cell phone, you want to use it regardless of where you live in America, or even the world. It would be a pain to get relocated by your company only to discover your cell phone doesn't work where you've been moved to.

It's clear that unlocked smart phones give you a distinct advantage, so why aren't people that interested in them? When you go into a store to pick up a phone, you'll see a vast difference in price on the phone without a contract.

That's because cell phone companies offer consumers the phones at a lower price if they'll sign a contract. The reason behind that is a marketing tool to lock consumers into giving that carrier their business for years to come. Service providers know from experience that a customer who buys a locked phone but doesn't sign a contract is likely to move elsewhere when things aren't going right.

Ergo, you pay retail price for phones that do not come with a contract, making them a huge investment. That alone discourages most consumers from buying outright. Contracts may save you money but render you powerless if the carrier makes changes that most customers will find unacceptable, like reducing the number of features on a plan, or increasing the monthly recurring charges.

Either way you lose if you decide to cancel your contract before it expires - early termination of contract would warrant a termination charge, and your phone would be a useless scrap of metal because since it is locked, you cannot use it with your new cell phone provider of choice. It's back to the drawing board as you start shopping around for a new phone.

There are many carriers who know the best way to keep a customer's business for many years isn't by forcing them to stay and they offer compatibility with unlocked smart phones. Make sure you get an unlocked smart phone once you're in the market for one - you'll end up with more freedom of choice than if you don't.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment