| Author |
Message |
inept
Posts: 2 |
 
Wed Dec 29, 2004 10:17 pm |
I hope that this is not a question somewhere in the FAQ, but I haven't been able to find an answer.
I am going to be buying a phone soon, and want to get an unlocked SonyEricsson, but am still not sure of some details.
I know that I can go to T-Mobile or ATT/Cingular and get a GSM freebie phone and then take the SIM card out and put it in the phone that I want, can it be any SIM card from any SIM compatible phone. Or does it have to be a phone that uses the same band numbers, for instance can I put a 850/1800/1900 SIM card into a phone that is 900/1800/1900 or a phone that is only 850/1900? Do those numbers even matter to the SIM card?
If they don't matter to the SIM card, then what exactly is on the SIM card and what details are important to know when using a unlocked phone? And is there anything that the freebie phone must have in order to use the unlocked phone properly?[/u]
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D
Posts: 69
Phone Model:
Nok6133
Service Provider:
T-Mobile |
Sat Jan 01, 2005 4:54 pm |
| inept wrote: | I hope that this is not a question somewhere in the FAQ, but I haven't been able to find an answer.
I am going to be buying a phone soon, and want to get an unlocked SonyEricsson, but am still not sure of some details.
I know that I can go to T-Mobile or ATT/Cingular and get a GSM freebie phone and then take the SIM card out and put it in the phone that I want, can it be any SIM card from any SIM compatible phone. Or does it have to be a phone that uses the same band numbers, for instance can I put a 850/1800/1900 SIM card into a phone that is 900/1800/1900 or a phone that is only 850/1900? Do those numbers even matter to the SIM card?
If they don't matter to the SIM card, then what exactly is on the SIM card and what details are important to know when using a unlocked phone? And is there anything that the freebie phone must have in order to use the unlocked phone properly?[/u] |
All handsets are locked by the service provider namely T-Mobile, they require 90 days of active service
Once the handset is unlocked you can use any sim card in the handset regardless of the GSM frequency the handset offers, the handset does not have to be the same band
The sim card or subscriber identity module is a computer chip that holds the subscriber and network information in electronic form, it works like a very small computer that can be programmed with information, phonebook information and what services are available to you
The card is capable of storing speed dial numbers and short messages, when introduced the capacity was 8k now it’s up to 32k or up to 500 names and numbers
As long as the handset is unlocked you can use another sim card it the handset, some carriers will not lock their handsets after that initial free phone seductions you’re paying for the handset and they’re yours but in some cases like T-Mobile they lock their handsets and have requirements in order to unlock the handsets, a website cingucell.com will unlock the handset for a fee
Freebie phones are no different from the ones that you pay for other than it’s free T-Mobile cannot unfortunately unlock handsets that were purchased outside of the United States with the exception of Canada and handsets through AT&T
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inept
Posts: 2 |
Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:02 pm |
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Thanks so much for that I appreciate it. I think you have pretty much answered all my questions thanks.
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BxVallyGirl
Posts: 8
Phone Model:
Nokia 6600
Service Provider:
T-Mobile |
Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:29 pm |
SORRY TO CROSS POST!! (i know, booo hisssss), but this seems better suited here.
Can I unlock blah blah blah to use w/Tmobile? What do I have do/need to have?
[1]AT&T refuses to provided unlock codes to other carriers & makes it difficult for customers to acquire them.
[2]There isn't any reason to lie, you own the equipment. If you've been with Tmobile for more than 90days - OR - have an account that was cancelled less than 90 days ago, just call customer service & request an unlock code.
[3] Account cannot be deliquent or in collections.
[4] Please either (a)have your IMEI # written down. or {b} call from an alternate line.
you can find the IMEI via keypad - *#06# - you may have to hit send. OR remove the battery & it'll be on the back label on the phone.
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germanysk2
Posts: 4
Phone Model:
sidekick 2(t-mobile)
Service Provider:
t-mobile |
Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:04 pm |
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I bought my sidekick 2 off of the internet (ebay) it is locked and from t-mobile..I live in germany what can I do??? Is there any service on the internet that can handle this...or special number that I can call..my e-mail -edited-
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charlifunk
Posts: 1
Service Provider:
sprint |
Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:04 pm |
so let's say i have sprint service.... can i get a t-mobile or cingular phone, unlock it and use it with my sprint service? this is really troubling me!  
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realboy2005
Posts: 82
Phone Model:
Motorola V3r (T-Mo), unlocked, flashed, flexed
Service Provider:
Former AT&T Wireless |
Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:06 pm |
Are you kidding me?
Ok, first of all Sprint uses CDMA, the cell phones of which (i believe) don't have sim cards. T-Mobile uses GSM standard, so you can't possible make any changes in your phone to make it work with T-Mobile. Only GSM phones and GSM sim cards can possible be switched...
I know it's sad for you, but I hope I helped... 
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D
Posts: 69
Phone Model:
Nok6133
Service Provider:
T-Mobile |
Thu Feb 17, 2005 5:53 pm |
| inept wrote: | I hope that this is not a question somewhere in the FAQ, but I haven't been able to find an answer.
I am going to be buying a phone soon, and want to get an unlocked SonyEricsson, but am still not sure of some details.
I know that I can go to T-Mobile or ATT/Cingular and get a GSM freebie phone and then take the SIM card out and put it in the phone that I want, can it be any SIM card from any SIM compatible phone. Or does it have to be a phone that uses the same band numbers, for instance can I put a 850/1800/1900 SIM card into a phone that is 900/1800/1900 or a phone that is only 850/1900? Do those numbers even matter to the SIM card?
If they don't matter to the SIM card, then what exactly is on the SIM card and what details are important to know when using a unlocked phone? And is there anything that the freebie phone must have in order to use the unlocked phone properly?[/u] |
www.cingucell.com will unlock the handset for a small fee
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realboy2005
Posts: 82
Phone Model:
Motorola V3r (T-Mo), unlocked, flashed, flexed
Service Provider:
Former AT&T Wireless |
Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:26 pm |
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I've done it before.. bought a free cell phone, then just bought a new cool phone from eBay and now i'm using it.... the numbers don't matter to sim card, however you have to choose the bands where you are going to use it... that's all.....
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wayneschaffer
Posts: 40
Phone Model:
Nokia 3650
Service Provider:
T-Mobile |
Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:19 pm |
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Just a side point regarding unlocked equipment and sim swaps.... (i.e. using a Cingular sim in a handset originally locked to T-Mobile for example) There are some cases where some customers have experienced a loss of certain features when doing this, such as text messaging or web features. It seems to be an inherent problem associated with this. It doesn't always occur, but good to keep this in mind.
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