Unlocking Devices

Cellcom does not lock most devices, including devices that were released after February 2015. Our devices are typically not programmed with locks or unique service programming codes, so there is no need to perform any "unlocking". "Unlocking" a device refers only to disabling software that would prevent a consumer from attempting to activate a device designed for one carrier's network on another carrier's network, even if that network is technologically compatible.

In other words, "unlocking" a device will not necessarily make a device interoperable with other networks – a device designed for one network is not made technologically compatible with another network merely by "unlocking" it. Additionally, unlocking a device may enable some functionality of the device but not all (e.g., an unlocked device may support voice services but not data services when activated on a different network).

Although Cellcom's phones are unlocked, customers must purchase their device at full retail price, fulfill their contract or pay an early termination fee (ETF) before the device can be taken to another carrier. The new voluntary commitment to unlock devices will not affect this policy.

Cellcom will only activate devices certified to work on the Cellcom network and may not activate unlocked devices from other carriers/service providers. Whether another carrier is able to or will reprogram a device is subject to that carrier's policies and practices.

Cellcom's 3G world phones are not capable of being unlocked. Cellcom and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have no technological process available to do this.