Unfortunately, I learned the hard way about a common practice used by mobile phone service providers to restrict usage within their original network, and block the usage of these pre-paid SIM cards.

Upon landing overseas, I installed the local sim card purchased at the airport but the phone refused to dial out. It gave the error: "Call Failed Call Barred".   Call Barred? What does that mean?   Why could I not get a network connection with my new world-phone?

After several lengthy land-line calls to my phone dealer's tech support line, I was finally told the phone was SIM-Locked.   "Great", I said. "Thanks for identifying the problem...that must be a default security feature...right?"   "Not exactly", says the support rep, "it's hardware locked to prevent the use of other network SIM cards in your phone."

So, now they tell me! After paying the extra dinero for the phones special features, the SIM-swap feature has been locked-out by my carrier. It looks like I will be cancelling the contract with that carrier, and buy a new phone that is not locked.

Apparently, Sim-Locking is such a widespread issue, there are now SIM un-locking services popping-up all over the place.

Make sure you ask your mobile phone dealer if the phone you are buying is Sim-Locked, and if so, don't buy it. If there is no other alternative in your area, ask the dealer if they will unlock the phone at the end of your service agreement with the "Subsidy Password". If you complete the terms of your contract, they should.

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