what is an unlocked cell phone
Having an unlocked phone allows you to use the phone with different carriers. Keep in mind some services may not function on an unlocked phone.
Some people use unlocked phones in order to use a phone on a network that does not traditionally carry that phone. Also, unlocking a phone can help with international travel, as it allows an individual to keep a phone that they enjoy using but choose a carrier that has lower call rates on calls between countries.
The short answer is yes. You can buy a cell phone and use it in the US, or anywhere else in the world as long as the phone is unlocked. We have an article on how to Choose an International Mobile Phone for detials on this you can go to http://liferemotely.com/staying-connected/63-international-mobile-phone
Take it into a phone company that offer's the use of unlocked phones and they should activate it for you.
No. Get you phone unlocked if you are not sure.
As long as one can obtain a SIM card from any cell carrier, an unlocked mobile phone can be used on any carrier. Also, if one is travelling overseas and obtain an international SIM card, calls can be made much more cheaply.
You can get your cell phone unlocked through the cell phone carrier you are subscribed to. For example, if you are with Wind Wireless, there is an option on the website to unlock your phone.
If both the SIM you want to use and the phone you want to use it on are unlocked, then this is possible.
“If I purchase a unlocked phone can I activate it through my boost account ”
You have two options when it comes to buying an unlocked cell phone. First option is to find one on Craigslist.com, just choose your city and type in the desired phone plus the word unlocked. The other option is Ebay.com, search for desired phone pluse type jailbroken or unlocked.
No they aren't illegal but once they are unlocked the warrantee for the phone is no longer valid. Yet with an unlocked phone you can get apps that you want without any restrictions.