Expert: Roberto Serrano - 7/9/2008

Question
What is a user locked cell phone. I am bidding on one on e-bay.

Answer
Hello Bridget,

A locked cell phone means that the phone has been locked to its carrier wether the carrier is At&t T-mobile etc. It simply means that your phone will only work with the designated carrier that it was created for. When a phone is unlocked it means that it will work for any carrier that is capable of the technology it was created for. If the phone is GSM it will work on any GSM carrier. A user locked cell phone could be that the person who owned the cell phone accidentally locked the phone with a password that they only know and forgot. This means unless the phone is flashed or reset it will be useless. I would have to view the full description to give you full details. I do hope that I have been of help to you if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for you question.