MetroPCS Invites You To Use Your Own Phone
Reliabilty of Metro's flashed firmware?
I am going to assume that Metro is going to flash the most popular phones with their own firmware. Is Metro going to offer a warranty on their firmware? Are they going to inform the customer of the risks associated with the firmware flash?
I've had plenty of former sprint customers come into the location that I work at and show me their broken Sprint-branded phones. They had the local Cricket dealers flash their phones so that they could use the phones that they'd purchased through Sprint on Cricket's network.
Once the Cricket's firmware bricks the customers' phone, the Cricket people send them to us for service. We have to tell them that they are SOL because they:
1) are no longer a sprint subscriber, and that we can't work on...
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I've had plenty of former sprint customers come into the location that I work at and show me their broken Sprint-branded phones. They had the local Cricket dealers flash their phones so that they could use the phones that they'd purchased through Sprint on Cricket's network.
Once the Cricket's firmware bricks the customers' phone, the Cricket people send them to us for service. We have to tell them that they are SOL because they:
1) are no longer a sprint subscriber, and that we can't work on...
(continues)
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tempting... very temping. I think I pay $160 a month for 1 line of service. Would be nice to to cut $100 off that and still have my phone
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However; I have a expensive phone. I am not up for messing up my warranty if you guys say it throws it out
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Well...don't cancel your service just yet. You should have insurance on your phone. Flashing the phone does indeed void your warranty, but a CPE (customer provided equipment)would have no warranty at a new carrier in any case. Take the phone to Metro PCS and let them attempt to activate it. If the flash takes then port your number over to Metro PCS or call your old provider and cancel your service if you are not porting. If the flash fries your phone you can take it to your OSP and play dumb (customers did this all the time when I was in retail). As long as you are not a donkey the technician will usually just exchange it under warranty unless you ARE an azz or HE is. I generally did not care all that much. However if the technician ...
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As far as I understand, there is not firmware change. All the Metro guys would do is flash a different PRL which will allow it to start acquiring Metro towers. It could be the different network characteristics of each provider that is causing the phone to brick up. Some of the subtle call proc featured do have to get fine tuned for each provider.
I'd be hard pressed to believe that they would have custom firmware seeing as to how that would require OEM support.
I'd be hard pressed to believe that they would have custom firmware seeing as to how that would require OEM support.
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MetroFlash is powred by Houdini Software, look it up for more info. Customer's sign a waiver that they will be voiding their warranty and that they will not be able to get assistance from us, the manufacturer, or the previous carrier after flashing their phone.
All of the original functions of the phone are intact, only the PRL is updated to allow the phones to connect to MetroPCS towers. We're flashing all kinds of phones excluding smartphones. Data services are not offered on flashed phones though.
http://www.houdinisoft.com » for more info on Houdini.
All of the original functions of the phone are intact, only the PRL is updated to allow the phones to connect to MetroPCS towers. We're flashing all kinds of phones excluding smartphones. Data services are not offered on flashed phones though.
http://www.houdinisoft.com » for more info on Houdini.
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If I am reading you correctly, it voids everything.
Support for Phone (SOL)
Technical issues (SOL)
Lost or stolen (SOL, they give you a free month but look at everything your giving up)
I don't see this as worth it. You'll pay for it when your phone is messed up the first time and everyone tells you "We can't help you because you voided your warranty"
Cool idea, long term damage.
Support for Phone (SOL)
Technical issues (SOL)
Lost or stolen (SOL, they give you a free month but look at everything your giving up)
I don't see this as worth it. You'll pay for it when your phone is messed up the first time and everyone tells you "We can't help you because you voided your warranty"
Cool idea, long term damage.
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I think it is a great idea and will attact a ton of people wanting to try a new service provider with their same, long loved, and possibly very costly phone. But I agree with everything said above.
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But for the peeps who already ended service with a carrier or just did not pay their bill and was booted out(service canceled), this would be great. 😛 Imagine you just received your cancellation notice. You have had your phone for over a year(no warranty). You even have a bill(past amount and cancellation charge)with your old provider. What do you do(before it appears on your credit)? Go to old Metro and start again all fresh and new(keep using that $350 phone). Keep on talking up until you don't pay your bill again. 😛
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Ohh wow what dirty scheme 😁. I mean that would make everything work out perfectly. You could get something like the Voyager (I don't even know if they will flash that one, just an example) for 200$ and never pay a bill again and keep the phone. However this may affect someones credit. I'm not sure but I am 99% sure they will for the unpaid ETF. But if your credit's in the hole and you have nothing better to do, this is an A+ plan. (but most people are trying to rebuild their credit so this wouldn't be the best rout.)
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yes, everyone's trying to build their credit. but a phone is more important, so if i have to suffer in the credit department to make sure people can contact me, so be it.
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There you go. And who knows it might only be a couple of points. And it is not like a mortgage lender is going to see you defaulted on on an ETF and not give you a loan.
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Thanks for the info. I like to see someone operating with integrity. I don't think that the local cricket dealers are having people sign waivers though. I have had customers tell me that it was the cricket dealer that sent them to me. Not all of them are coming in on their own.
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but i AM familiar with the software they are using for flashing the firmware.
1. yes, flashing DOES void the carrier warranty, but does NOT void manufacturer warranty
2. a flashed phone CANNOT use internet services, nor can they be used to send or recieve mms messages
3. personally, i wouldnt do it
'nuff said 😁
1. yes, flashing DOES void the carrier warranty, but does NOT void manufacturer warranty
2. a flashed phone CANNOT use internet services, nor can they be used to send or recieve mms messages
3. personally, i wouldnt do it
'nuff said 😁
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