What does it mean when they say your cel phone is unlocked?

It means you can use different SIM cards from different networks. Meaning you can use any other cell phone service provider other than the one you bought your cellphone from.

You are not tied to any particular carrier, such as Verizon Wireless, Cingular, T-Mobile etc. You can get your cell phone service from any provider. Most phones are locked by their carriers, meaning you cannot use any other service provider with them.

it means that it is ready to use

that you can use them with whatever phone company you choose

chuck Norris DIDN'T kick your phone in the face. actually the saying is kinda self explanatory

it means that u can use any company's sim card :)

Some cell phones are built inside so they can only be used with one service - most of the ones in the USA are this way, so the service can hang onto you for the two years needed to get the discount price on the phone. Many are not, most of the ones used in Europe, and the SIMM "card" inside can be moved from phone to phone to get features of different phones on the same service. Phones cost more, fewer discounts.

you can use it on any network, but you can' get all the same features as a locked phone [without thorough programming] (i.e: MeDIA NET for AT&T will be disabled along w/ many other features) you can use the phone for everything else though.