| If you are currently on the lookout for a new handset, | | | | always have one for local use - wherever you may |
| you may well have encountered a few that claim to | | | | be. |
| be 'Sim free'. So what exactly is a Sim free mobile | | | | Again, either of these uses will help you to keep your |
| phone? | | | | long-term costs down, whilst affording you the |
| The simple answer is that it is any phone that is not | | | | opportunity to do what you want, when you want to. |
| tied to a specific network. They are completely | | | | There are numerous mobile phone handsets available |
| unlocked, which ordinarily means that you can use a | | | | with a Sim free option. Often available from the |
| Sim card from any of the major networks and have it | | | | manufacturers themselves as well as many specialist |
| work as it would on a locked handset. | | | | mobile phone stores, you can take your pick from the |
| When you sign up for a contract or get a pay as you | | | | latest smartphones as well as some of the more basic |
| go mobile, you tend to have to select which network | | | | models. |
| you want to go with. When it comes to a Sim free | | | | But don't be too shocked by the prices that you might |
| device, you have the opportunity to use an existing | | | | find. Whilst you may have become accustomed to the |
| network or any other that you might wish to use. | | | | subsidised costs offered by the networks on |
| This of course provides a great deal of freedom; | | | | contracts and pay per view handsets, you have to |
| however that does come at a cost. Mobile phone | | | | accept that you will be paying far in excess of these. |
| networks tend to subsidise a fair amount of the total | | | | Take the Nokia N97 as a good example. If you were |
| cost of a handset. Whilst on a contract you might get | | | | to get this on a contract now it would most likely be |
| it for free or at least have the cost significantly | | | | free, as it is now over 6 months old and other, newer |
| slashed, even on a pay as you go device there will be | | | | models are available. However, if you were to buy it |
| a certain percentage cut off the top of the | | | | as a Sim free device, you might be expecting to pay |
| manufacturer's price. This is primarily to attract users | | | | anything up to £400. Not exactly small change. |
| to use their services rather than venturing off | | | | This of course is repeated across all other major |
| elsewhere. | | | | mobile phone devices. You can find Sim free models |
| So when you do go down the Sim free mobile phone | | | | from the likes of HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson |
| route, there will be an associated cost to deal with. | | | | and of course the aforementioned Nokia. This provides |
| However, if you are a network roamer and plan to | | | | great flexibility and a good deal of quality too. |
| use your phone for plenty of time to come, this can still | | | | So if you don't want to find yourself constrained by an |
| work out to be a financially shrewd move. | | | | 18 month contract or having to be stuck with a single |
| For example, if you don't feel like one network offers | | | | network for the entire lifetime of your handset, then |
| you value for money, you can simply get another Sim | | | | you should consider a Sim free model. Evidently it isn't |
| and run it from the same phone. Equally, if you move | | | | without its risks, or indeed costs, but for many it still |
| abroad or are away on business a fair amount, you | | | | provides a great alternative to the more conventional |
| can simply interchange your networks so that you | | | | route. |