is sim code unlock and international unlock the same thing?

I recently bought a samsung exhibit II and contacted t-mobile for the unlock
code.

One of the question they asked is whether I need a sim unlock code or I want
to use the phone outside usa.

Aren't they both the same thing? Meaning if I want to use it outside usa, I
need it unlocked, and if it is unlocked, I can use it outside usa.

In any case, I got an email saying they sent the request to the
manufacturer. Consider some 3rd party web sites can generate unlock codes
instantly, how come tmobile isn't given this capability by samsung (unlock
code calculator)?

On 4/18/2012 10:00 AM, bob wrote:
> I recently bought a samsung exhibit II and contacted t-mobile for the
> unlock code.
>
> One of the question they asked is whether I need a sim unlock code or I
> want to use the phone outside usa.
>
> Aren't they both the same thing? Meaning if I want to use it outside
> usa, I need it unlocked, and if it is unlocked, I can use it outside usa.
>
> In any case, I got an email saying they sent the request to the
> manufacturer. Consider some 3rd party web sites can generate unlock
> codes instantly, how come tmobile isn't given this capability by samsung
> (unlock code calculator)?

I've got my unlock code in email the next day I asked for it. You
should, too.

At 18 Apr 2012 10:00:16 -0700 bob wrote:
> I recently bought a samsung exhibit II and contacted t-mobile for the
> unlock code.
>
> One of the question they asked is whether I need a sim unlock code or I
> want to use the phone outside usa.
>
> Aren't they both the same thing? Meaning if I want to use it outside usa,

> I need it unlocked, and if it is unlocked, I can use it outside usa.

You could also unlock it to use it domestically on one of T-Mo's
competitors, or roam internationally at T-Mo's "generous" roaming rates.

More than likely it was a policy-driven question. IIRC, T-Mo will only
unlock a phone after you've had it at least 90 days, but will make an
exception for imminent international travel. (Moral of the story: always
tell T-Mo you're leaving the country!)

> In any case, I got an email saying they sent the request to the
> manufacturer. Consider some 3rd party web sites can generate unlock
> codes instantly, how come tmobile isn't given this capability by
> samsung (unlock code calculator)?


Unlock calculators used by third party sites are typically reverse
engineered, which might appear unseemly to legitimate businesses like T-
Mo. I suppose the "proper" method would be to contact the manufacturer.

In article <jmmrvb$rvk$1@speranza.aioe.org>, bob <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I recently bought a samsung exhibit II and contacted t-mobile for the unlock
>code.
>
>One of the question they asked is whether I need a sim unlock code or I want
>to use the phone outside usa.
>
>Aren't they both the same thing? Meaning if I want to use it outside usa, I
>need it unlocked, and if it is unlocked, I can use it outside usa.
>
>In any case, I got an email saying they sent the request to the
>manufacturer. Consider some 3rd party web sites can generate unlock codes
>instantly, how come tmobile isn't given this capability by samsung (unlock
>code calculator)?

They are _very_ different things.

SIM unlock allows you to use a phone from another carrier in your phone;
whether domestic or international depends on your account with that
carrier.

International unlock is a function of the T-Mobile account which is tied
to your T-Mobile SIM card. It allows you to roam on the same US account
and phone number while you are out of the country.

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:33:33 +0000 (UTC), Mike S. quoted bob:

>> One of the question they asked is whether I need a sim unlock code or I want
>> to use the phone outside usa.
>>
>> Aren't they both the same thing?

Not at all (see below).

>> ... Meaning if I want to use it outside usa, I
>> need it unlocked, and if it is unlocked, I can use it outside usa.

If you want to use it *economically* outside usa, you want to use a local
SIM card in it, and for that you need it unlocked. But you can use it
outside the usa *uneconomically*, as Todd points out, wherever T-Mo has
roaming agreements in place.

And if it's unlocked, you can use it anywhere -- outside *or* inside usa --
with anyone's SIM card.

Typically, T-Mo's phones as first set up for use on a new account are
restricted to *domestic* calling only. No calls abroad (except maybe to
Canada), and no use *while* abroad (except maybe in Canada).

It's an easy matter for a telephone CS rep to toggle the appropriate bit in
your account settings to allow (i) calls abroad or (ii) calls while abroad.
That accounts for the "use it outside usa" question.

The "need it unlocked" question is quite independent of the "use it outside
usa" question, from the CS rep's perspective (which bit do I toggle?), as
you can now easily see :-) .

HTH. Cheers, -- tlvp
--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP.

On 4/18/2012 2:33 PM, Mike S. wrote:

> SIM unlock allows you to use a phone from another carrier in your phone;

Now that's something I'd like to see how you use another carrier's phone
in your phone. ;-)

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:01:41 -0700, cameo <cameo@unreal.invalid>
wrote:

>On 4/18/2012 2:33 PM, Mike S. wrote:
>
>> SIM unlock allows you to use a phone from another carrier in your phone;
>
>Now that's something I'd like to see how you use another carrier's phone
>in your phone. ;-)

You usually have to trim the edges...

;-)

--
Paul Miner

In news:1n7nz2fdf72rg.1wzegdms7cnzn.dlg@40tude.net tlvp
<mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> wrote:

> And if it's unlocked, you can use it anywhere -- outside *or* inside
> usa -- with anyone's SIM card.

If the phone operates on the bands in use at your travel destination.

--
bert@iphouse.com St. Paul, MN

Sim unlock code is same. It is just an algorithm to remove the network lock from a mobile so that it can be used with any international GSM connection to it.
I unlocked couple of my mobiles from third party service than from my network provider. Unlocking through third party service is very accurate and it is done within short span of time.
I unlocked my mobiles from www.Onlinegsmunlock.com they provided me accurate unlock codes at affordable cost. they guided me with easy step by step instructions on unlocking.