Most cell phone companies lock their computers and -by the way- fill them with programs they define as an added value, despite not having a clear utility for users. The lock prevents use the phone with another company, although that has not been acquired as part of a tariff plan.
The key to everything is precisely the purchase of equipment. If the phone was purchased for prepaid, it is owned by the user. Conversely, if the phone is part of a tariff plan, the cost of equipment will be covered once the most common forced term -the concluded are 12, 18 or 24 months, so from that point is also owned by the user.
Once the cost of the phone has been covered-whether because he completed the term forced or because the equipment was purchased in prepago- mode, the user can ask the telephone company to unlock the computer. Thus, it is possible to use that phone with any other operator.
Is it difficult to do so through official channels?
The answer is somewhat ambiguous. In theory this is not a complicated process, however depends on how to proceed for each operator. Usually, the first step is to contact customer service, whether in care centers or by electronic means such as telephone calls, chat or Twitter.
Once contact is made, it is necessary to check that the phone is actually owned by the user, either because it was acquired in prepaid or because forced term expired. From there, requests are serviced in accordance with the procedure having each operator.
