On ebay what does it mean when a phone is listed as "unlocked"?

Question

i was viewing phones on e-bay n i was wondering what it meant when it said the phone was unlocked. does this mean it works with any carrier. anyone no?

thanks!!

Answer 1

That means that lets say a phone was made for Cingular

but if it is unlocked that means you can buy a SIM card and make the phone available on the T-Mobile network

Verizon phones are usually locked and can't be switched to diferent networks

Answer 2

It means it is hacked. Contact me if you need more help!

Answer 3

It means someone got it unlocked on another carrier, usually only ONE other.  I'm sure you can get it unlocked for more than one, but you h ave to pay.  Usually it will say "ATT unlocked for TMobile!"  

Phones with simcards can ONLY be unlocked for phone companies that USE simcardss.

Answer 4

I deal with such questions quite frequently in the customer service field I'm in.  An unlocked cell phone means any SIM (or smart card) can be used with the phone.  Not necessarily that it can be used with any carrier.  I have researched this many times due to the questions I've gotten about that aspect of cell phones.