Typically handsets supplied as part of an ECS contract are restricted for use on the network that the service is for. When the cost of the handset has been recovered by the service provider, usually by the end of the contract minimum term, the service provider will provide the customer with the necessary “unlock” code which the consumer must use to allow the handset to be used on other networks. The unlock code is obtained by your service provider from the handset manufacturer and depending on the manufacturer this can take a number of days.