Sprint starts unlocking phones
We didn’t see this one coming at all. As per the terms of a recent class-action lawsuit, Sprint-Nextel has begun to unlock its phones for use on other carriers. Unlocking is common practice in the GSM world, but this is the first time that an American CDMA wireless company has agreed to unlock their hardware. This process will theoretically allow unlocked Sprint phones to work on other CDMA networks, including Verizon, but it remains to be seen if Verizon and other carriers will allow the use of foreign hardware on their radio waves. Sprint will also allow unlocked phones from other providers to function as Sprint handsets. The company has already begun the process, and is currently training its employees on the finer details. While this doesn’t quite allow the same level of freedom as an unlocked GSM phone, it’s still great news for anyone feeling trapped with their current CDMA provider. Nice job, Sprint.
I don’t think there is any way Verizon would let its customers use another companies phones or at least not without a nominal fee. However, It would be nice to have that option.
Just another instance where the over-complaining customer gets exactly what they want. This kinda makes me mad
I don’t see why it would make you mad. This is a huge step for the CDMA market and the cell phone industry as a whole
Well I dont think verizon or sprint phones are locked anyway.. maybe some network specific settings.. But they roam onto each others network.
This might be a win for sprint.. people can take verizon phones to them. One of the big problems with verizon / sprint is there phone selection.
Now if some of the phones from korea would work I might go back to sprint.
“Well I dont think verizon or sprint phones are locked anyway.. maybe some network specific settings.. But they roam onto each others network.”
This is a very uninformed statement. A GSM phone from one carrier can be “locked” to that carrier but still roam onto another carrier’s network. Same goes for CDMA phones. Just because a phone can roam onto another carrier’s networks doesn’t mean it is unlocked. The iPhone can roam in Europe but it is still obviously locked to ATT. The fact of the matter is, CDMA phones are locked. A few years ago, Verizon use to activate Sprint/other CDMA carrier hadnsets on their network but before that could be done, you had to get the “unlock code” from Sprint or whoever your former carrier was (I should know, I had to do just that). Verizon eventually moved away from the practice but the bottom line is its more than network specific settings, CDMA phones are locked to their carrier’s network and you will need the unlock code from the carrier if you want to activate it on another carrier’s network.
This is very big for us Sprint customers. Considering that Verizon has got the Voyager upcoming, and now if the rumour is true the F700. Two phone that would make me leave Sprint. Now if all this pans out I can get the phone I want and keep the carrier I want. The only thing is if Verizon and Alltel will let you buy a phone off the rack and walk out with it unlocked. The other thing is this. Who’s to stop LG, Samsung, Moto, etc from selling CDMA phones not tied to a network at all. I would imagine that will happen within a matter of time. Its a good day if your a Sprint customer.
VZW phones are technically not locked, the subsidy code is 000000, so if Sprint would activate it the ESN and load the correct PRL onto the phone, it should work for voice. The other functions of the phone, such as sms, mms, etc may not work at all.
Interesting I did not know that. If that is the case this is as pointless as I thought it was, unless someone else follows suit
This is just one step in a series of many that Sprint is taking before their eventual conversion to GSM
I sure hope this sets a precedent for the GSM community. Locking phones doesnt benefit anyone except the greedy corporate goons wanting that second yacht…
The bottom line is. Sprint will only unlock there phones, not verizon or alltel so it really does not do any good. Sprint as a company does not have the rights to unlock a verizon phone. But if you can get the the verizon phone unlocked by an outsider then you can use it. And we all know verizon will really start locking there phones now. And another problem will be, you will get no help from sprint if something happens with your phone. And I really dont know how true this part is but i here its only in Cali.
I think the one important thing that still needs to be addressed in the locking of phones to a particular account. How many people have been cheated because they purchased phones second hand on Ebay or even craigslist & lost their shirts because the ESN was a “bad” one? When the CDMA carriers address this issue, then maybe the unlocking will become of importance, but for now it really doesn’t say or mean much of anything.
OK OK OK… LET’S SEE IF I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT:
“Sprint will also allow unlocked phones from other providers to function as Sprint handsets.”
Does this mean I can get an UNLOCKED BLACKBERRY CURVE and use it on the Sprint Network?
no you idiot. the curve is GSM and sprint is CDMA
ppv, you need to take your medicine. ADK was not trying to offend you.
It’s a good thing PPV loves the peni$… he gives good head
and hasn’t had any yet… which is why he’s annoyed at my “non-technical remark”
I happen to not be a sedentary fatboy behind a computer (ppv) and actually have a life outside the internet.
I have been trying for 2 days now to get Sprint to add my Verizon Treo 700wx to their network…nobody there even knows about this yet…never even heard of the lawsuit or Sprint’s agreement. Has anyone had any success with this yet? Any names/numbers of employees that can help?
Sorry dude you need to wait until they announce they are actually doing this. Which is going to be next year some time. If I had to take a guess I would say sometime in the first half of the year
please can anybody help me unlock my blackberry 8130 sprint cdma phone please
thank you
what is the code to unlock a samsung phone