How to activate an unlocked phone...
(1) does Cingular "frown" upon buying an unlocked phone from a third party then having it activated to use on their network?
(2) coming from ATTWS, how would I port my number in the case of buying an unlocked phone? Is it as simple as purchasing a SIM chip, installing it , then calling Cingular, or do I have to take the device into a retail store, or purchase the chip directly from Cingular?
(3) is this difficult to do?
I hope the posters here don't mind indulging my ignorance. I have tried to immerse myself in learning about this industry by spending time reading through posts on this forum, referring to the glossary, reading tech articles, etc. as well as spending time in the retail stores (with both good and bad results). ...
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(2) coming from ATTWS, how would I port my number in the case of buying an unlocked phone? Is it as simple as purchasing a SIM chip, installing it , then calling Cingular, or do I have to take the device into a retail store, or purchase the chip directly from Cingular?
(3) is this difficult to do?
I hope the posters here don't mind indulging my ignorance. I have tried to immerse myself in learning about this industry by spending time reading through posts on this forum, referring to the glossary, reading tech articles, etc. as well as spending time in the retail stores (with both good and bad results). ...
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the wireless world according to paulbear
1: cingular will frown upon it, but cingular does not disallow it (except for in the following question which i will explain) if all of cingulars phones were unlocked and all of the other carriers phones were unlocked there would be turmoil amungst the masses and all of life as we know it would cease to exist. however, buy it, get it unlocked and we will be happy to activate your service with a one year contract and sell you a sim card to boot! 🙂
2: this is where an unlocked phone is disallowed. the way it works is that if you are a migrating customer you will have to purchase a new "cingular" handset as well as a 64k sim card with a new 2 year agreement. all deals for new customers as well a...
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1: cingular will frown upon it, but cingular does not disallow it (except for in the following question which i will explain) if all of cingulars phones were unlocked and all of the other carriers phones were unlocked there would be turmoil amungst the masses and all of life as we know it would cease to exist. however, buy it, get it unlocked and we will be happy to activate your service with a one year contract and sell you a sim card to boot! 🙂
2: this is where an unlocked phone is disallowed. the way it works is that if you are a migrating customer you will have to purchase a new "cingular" handset as well as a 64k sim card with a new 2 year agreement. all deals for new customers as well a...
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That is precisely the information I was looking for, and you are very kind to leave such a detailed response.
Just to make sure I am straight on this, if I migrate, contract for a plan, and acquire a phone from Cingular, then all I would have to do is use that SIM card in any unlocked phone that I am unable to acquire? The way I understand your explanation, I won't need any assistance from Cingular, just switch the SIM card. I think the light just came on for me. SIM = subscriber identification module (?) and the network recognizes the SIM card rather than a particular phone per se, right? Maybe I over simplify, but that seems plausible to me, and this could be something quite fun to play around with.
Thanks again, and I am enjoy...
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Just to make sure I am straight on this, if I migrate, contract for a plan, and acquire a phone from Cingular, then all I would have to do is use that SIM card in any unlocked phone that I am unable to acquire? The way I understand your explanation, I won't need any assistance from Cingular, just switch the SIM card. I think the light just came on for me. SIM = subscriber identification module (?) and the network recognizes the SIM card rather than a particular phone per se, right? Maybe I over simplify, but that seems plausible to me, and this could be something quite fun to play around with.
Thanks again, and I am enjoy...
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No, if you get a phone that does not sell, you will have very bad reception and piss poor signal strength, the phone may slightly work, but it was not support they don't have the programing info on their systes and it won't be properly programmed and they can't service, tech it or troubleshoot it if you have any issues since they don't support the device they never HAD!!!Don't fo it unless you know this and don't care!!!!
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what if it is a model that Cingular has in their lineup? I understand that they (Cingular) would not service the phone, but should I expect it to work properly? Take for example the Moto v551, would it need to be specifically a Cingular v551 (if there is any such thing), or could it be any unlocked v551?
A second question. Hypothetically if you were to acquire a new phone from Cingular, would you simply place the SIM card from the currently active and working phone into the second phone, and it be immediately available for use (of course after charging), or would it require some sort of activation process?
Thanks,
JH
A second question. Hypothetically if you were to acquire a new phone from Cingular, would you simply place the SIM card from the currently active and working phone into the second phone, and it be immediately available for use (of course after charging), or would it require some sort of activation process?
Thanks,
JH
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Yes. If it's a phone that's offered and you're simply buying it from someone else unlocked it will work properly.
Yes. Putting your SIM in another device is all you really need to do. For insurance purposes if you're buying a phone you need to make sure it's listed on the account but other than that the SIM switch is all you need to do.
Yes. Putting your SIM in another device is all you really need to do. For insurance purposes if you're buying a phone you need to make sure it's listed on the account but other than that the SIM switch is all you need to do.
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For the most part it should, I am still waiting to see if there is any major issues with the 64K sims and there conection configuration with the phones.
2nd point, the phone would be ready for voice use right off the hop, but the data side could and probly would need to be set up right from the new phone.
2nd point, the phone would be ready for voice use right off the hop, but the data side could and probly would need to be set up right from the new phone.
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Listen , bottom line is you get 2nd hand info from other customers, saying "it should", "it may", or direct from a rep who deals with these issues on a daily basis.It has to be a phone that was sold by cingular to be used on Cingular service, the technology,software and OTA(Over The Air)activation/programming is specific to the carrier.
You get an unlock ATTWS phonw ,and you have basic function like calls to make and receive but your phone will never get the proper update info since its not the Right branded phone with the software, since they load the systems with the software that the carrier uses with their "Version" of that phone so all of a sudden you got crap signal, and then poorer and poorer reception,thats cuz the Info that gets ...
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You get an unlock ATTWS phonw ,and you have basic function like calls to make and receive but your phone will never get the proper update info since its not the Right branded phone with the software, since they load the systems with the software that the carrier uses with their "Version" of that phone so all of a sudden you got crap signal, and then poorer and poorer reception,thats cuz the Info that gets ...
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getting a phone, say from overseas, which is the most popular option since those phones are far more advanced than the domestic options will typically allow you to use voice services I.E. making a voice phone call, as long as it works on the correct frequencies, getting a domestic phone should come with the right frequencies off the bat and you wont have to worry about getting the correct one.
the issue with settings will typically arise when you are trying to access the internet and the like. most not all unlocked phones will allow you to edit the GPRS settings and other options like MMS and TXT. cingular does have these settings posted on the develorers forums on there websites although last time i tried to get to the forums i couldnt....
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the issue with settings will typically arise when you are trying to access the internet and the like. most not all unlocked phones will allow you to edit the GPRS settings and other options like MMS and TXT. cingular does have these settings posted on the develorers forums on there websites although last time i tried to get to the forums i couldnt....
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to clarify the right type of phone...
cingular works with GSM, as well as tmobile and AT&T
nextel works on IDEN... incompatible with cingular
sprint and verizon work on CDMA... incompatible.
keep in mind cingular used to work on TDMA as well as AT&T but new services will strictly be limited to GSM another type is gait which works on TDMA and GSM these phones have the best possible coverage but they are no longer sold with new service and the price plans are crappy. and since GSM is completely rolled out nationwide with cingular there is no need to worry about GAIT phones.
The domestic GSM fequencies are going to be 1900 and 850 MHz internation is 1800 and 900MHz
also i would suggest getting a phone with Edge or the new one...
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cingular works with GSM, as well as tmobile and AT&T
nextel works on IDEN... incompatible with cingular
sprint and verizon work on CDMA... incompatible.
keep in mind cingular used to work on TDMA as well as AT&T but new services will strictly be limited to GSM another type is gait which works on TDMA and GSM these phones have the best possible coverage but they are no longer sold with new service and the price plans are crappy. and since GSM is completely rolled out nationwide with cingular there is no need to worry about GAIT phones.
The domestic GSM fequencies are going to be 1900 and 850 MHz internation is 1800 and 900MHz
also i would suggest getting a phone with Edge or the new one...
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Your answer is a typical customer Reply,but its STILL WRONG!!!!the phones are as good as the phone if properly purcahsed and used by the carrier its made for.Each phone has software in it specific to the carrier that sells and supports that tech software.The way you make it sound i can go buy a Apple Software for an Apple Computer and Load with windows XP, which is CRAP Too!!!
If people actually buy the phone from their carruer and used it properly rather then trying to cheat the system, then you know half the customers that call in bitching wouldn't!!!What a wonderfulworld it would be!!!!!!!!!
If people actually buy the phone from their carruer and used it properly rather then trying to cheat the system, then you know half the customers that call in bitching wouldn't!!!What a wonderfulworld it would be!!!!!!!!!
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in terms of software, unless the software is made for both systems, which quite a few new applications are made for both, primarily games are made for both systems apple and PC, but anyway. yes your OS's are completely different, but i can play MP3's on mac and PC as long as i have the correct player right? same goes for Jpeg's, HTML, there are lots of applications that work across platforms. what we are talking about here is not the platform we are talking about the hardware. you are talking about phones. that is hardware. if i buy a dell a compac an emachine.. they are all compatible with Windows correct? the same concept applies when you are talking about a GSM phone which works on a 1900 or 850 MHz network. the phone works off of the sa...
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In theory you're right... What Agent was miserably trying to point out is that some phones have carrier specific software that won't allow the phone's settings to be changed to work w/ another carrier...
This is some models and not all I should point out... best way to find out is trial and error... if it works... Right on... If it doesn't don't act surprised.
Once again though, theoretically the phone should work fine so long as it's provisioned correctly...
This is some models and not all I should point out... best way to find out is trial and error... if it works... Right on... If it doesn't don't act surprised.
Once again though, theoretically the phone should work fine so long as it's provisioned correctly...
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to further explain myself with the ifs.
if i buy an at&t branded phone and it doesnt allow me to change the setting from Mmode to Media net then you are right it cant be done,
but what about those phone purchased manufacture direct without Mmode software?
or the phones that do allow me to change the settings? then yes, it can be done.
there are Ifs to consider. and IF you dont pay attention and know what your buying then there will be no support and you are stuck with a partially functional phone.
i though i included that demeanor in all of my responses, if not then i truly appologize.
if i buy an at&t branded phone and it doesnt allow me to change the setting from Mmode to Media net then you are right it cant be done,
but what about those phone purchased manufacture direct without Mmode software?
or the phones that do allow me to change the settings? then yes, it can be done.
there are Ifs to consider. and IF you dont pay attention and know what your buying then there will be no support and you are stuck with a partially functional phone.
i though i included that demeanor in all of my responses, if not then i truly appologize.
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