<<<Isabel - how can I tell if my Motorola is unlocked?<<
Do you know someone who has a GSM phone frpm another provider ?
If yes, borrow his/her SIM card for a minute, insert it in your phone, if it works, it meansd your phone is unlocked

Thanks, Noreen! I'll give it try!

Does anyone beside Cingular here in US use sim cards?

How appropriate. We just bought a Motorola V190 GoPhone from Cingular. We will drop our current Verizon cell which I only use about 20 min per month and use it as our on-the-road phone here. We will have it unlocked before we go to France & Spain next month and get Sim cards in France and Spain.

Cingulars on line forum is not bad for getting the particulars -- I am pretty sure this is going to work out well for us.

StephenG - If you're still reading this thread, T-Mobile USA also uses the GSM network, and their phones all take SIM cards. So, if one has a Cingular phone and wants to confirm that it's unlocked, ask for something who's using T-Mobile. Same for reverse.

All this info has been very helpful and I thank you all. I still haven't bought a new phone but intend to do it <i>soon</i>. Thanks again and any further input welcomed.

rkkwan, thanks I will give it a try.