[dgarzoli]

I tried searching but was not willing to wade through thousands of responses.......

I don't quite understand unlocking. I know it allows the phone to work on GSM networks worldwide, but since I don't travel what good would it do me?

Frankly where I live US cellular has better coverage than Verizon, does this mean the phone will choose the better network?

Please explain to the newbie the details of why one would want to unlock it.....

[MuDvAyNe]

GSM would not work for you because you are a subscriber to Verizon. (People unlock it to use on AT&T, T-Mobile etc) the sim card is for when you travel overseas and could install a prepaid sim card in like Italy or something. Of course if you do travel you would have to call Verizon first to unlock the Sim.

[Jaronk56]

quick question!? if i unlock my phone will it unlock the gps too?

[HeroBerry]

My phone is unlocked.

I have Verizon service and AT&T service. I use my verizon service the majority of the time and AT&T for just a couple of rare phone calls. The only reason I have both is because I am locked into a business plan with AT&T and I don't feel like carrying two phones with me.

Both services work individual of each other, not simultaneously. I have to manually switch the mobile network from 1XEV to GSM to switch back and forth.

Do I travel overseas? No.

But is it more convenient than carrying two phones especially when I don't really use my AT&T line? Yes.

Having the phone unlocked does nothing to the Verizon service, and once the device is unlocked it is unlocked for the lifespan of the device. It is good for pretty much any GSM carrier, plus overseas use with sim cards.

Many people have different reasons for unlocking. Some travel, some use it as I do, and some just want to have the Storm but currently do not have Verizon or do not care to switch to Verizon so they buy it unlocked to use on their GSM carrier.

Any one who has Verizon service for 60 days or more and is in good standing bill wise, is eligible and able to have their phone unlocked. Verizon Global Services will provide and unlock code and walk you through the process. It takes less than ten minutes.

Some people also have programs that generate unlock codes and will generally charge a person for one of those codes and help with the unlocking. I preferred going through Verizon because at the least I knew it was legit. Not that some of the others who use the code generators aren't but I didn't want to take a chance.

Bottom line... Is it necessary? No, unless you travel overseas.

Does it/can it hurt the phone or service in anyway? Not at all.

So its a personal preference thing, but I figure anything that cant hurt the phone or service and gives it more options can only be a good thing

Just my two cents, for what it's worth.

p.s. Yay my 100th post!

[HeroBerry]

quick question!? if i unlock my phone will it unlock the gps too?

It will unlock the GPS if you have a GSM carrier that has unlocked GPS and data plan, like AT&T for example but you cannot take advantage of 3g speeds I'm pretty sure.

Don't quote me on that though, it is just what I learned from going through some of the threads. And you have to be using the SIM not CDMA service.