Overseas Imports (Unlocked & Activated)
Forgive my ignorance on this topic, but how does one go about activating a foreign cell phone purchased from a website like WirelessImports.com? According to that site, the phones for sale are already unlocked and compatible with certain US carriers. But, as a Sprint employee, I know that we're almost always unable to register or activate foreign ESNs. Assuming that the website is accurate and we ARE, somehow, able to activate without any major issues, what about plans and services? Would a foreign phone support the Sprint power vision network, Sprint music store, Sprint TV, etc.? What exactly am I missing here?
I am, like I said, employed by Sprint (read: I am pretty familiar with the wireless industry in general) so feel free to ...
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I am, like I said, employed by Sprint (read: I am pretty familiar with the wireless industry in general) so feel free to ...
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verizon nor sprint will activate any phone that they do not sell. Period!!!
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when a device manufacturer (ie: Samsung, Nokia, LG) makes a phone, the ESN for the device is preregistered into the carriers system. If the ESN is not preregistered, then the phone will not be able to be used on that network. the ESN cannot be entered later.
the term "unlocked" typically refers to SM-based phones. When a GSM device is made, the software thats loaded into it "locks" the phone into only being able to be used by a certain carriers SIM cards. So, when the phone is "unlocked", that implies that the carriers lock has been removed, and the device will now accept SIM cards from other GSM companies.
by this common definition, a Sprint phone cannot be unlocked, since it is CDMA and not GSM. so, if some company is 'claiming' to ha...
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the term "unlocked" typically refers to SM-based phones. When a GSM device is made, the software thats loaded into it "locks" the phone into only being able to be used by a certain carriers SIM cards. So, when the phone is "unlocked", that implies that the carriers lock has been removed, and the device will now accept SIM cards from other GSM companies.
by this common definition, a Sprint phone cannot be unlocked, since it is CDMA and not GSM. so, if some company is 'claiming' to ha...
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Thank you so much for the wonderful explanation! Now, not only do I understand that this scenario is unrealistic, but I also understand WHY, which is important. I appreciate your help. Lots!
Thanks again. 🙂
Thanks again. 🙂
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Everything that you said is correct except for the part that it cannot be added into the system later. This is not correct. It is actually rather simple to add it the problem is that they won't. Verizon tried it several years back with a sprint phone at it caused problems, first of all the phone will use whatever network comes first in the PRL, in the old case Sprint's not Verizon's causing high roaming use. Technically it is possible but requires so much work in reprogramming the phone to get on the web and make calls using the correct network that the carriers save themselves the trouble and just say no. I know Sprint can do it because they were originally in talks to move all the ESPN phones over to Sprint Systems but gave up due to ...
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I would just like to say that everyones comments have been correct so far. There is just one last thing I would like to add.
We do not sell any phones for Sprint (at the current time). None of our handsets will work for Sprint. Also if you look towards the bottom of each handset there is a list of compatible carriers and Sprint is not compatible with any of them.
We do not sell any phones for Sprint (at the current time). None of our handsets will work for Sprint. Also if you look towards the bottom of each handset there is a list of compatible carriers and Sprint is not compatible with any of them.
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