Audiovox SMT 5600 / SPV C500 (HTC Typhoon)
Unlocked - SMT 5600
Well it seems that they have unlocked this phone. (http://www.c500-unlock.com/)
Earlier this month I purchased the SMT 5600 through ATT online for $149 and tested it out around Jacksonville, FL area. I am currently a Nextel user (5 + years)
My problem is at my house I thought Nextel was bad, but found out that ATT was worse.
What I don't understand is once you have a phone unlocked does that mean that I can take the phone (GSM only networks) and sign up with any GSM carrier (ie t-mobile,cingular/att, etc.)?? I also assume this statement was a little over generalized considering that from what I read ATT sims are 32k and cingular ens sims are 64k so I would not be able to benefit from that but all things considered I could migrate ...
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Earlier this month I purchased the SMT 5600 through ATT online for $149 and tested it out around Jacksonville, FL area. I am currently a Nextel user (5 + years)
My problem is at my house I thought Nextel was bad, but found out that ATT was worse.
What I don't understand is once you have a phone unlocked does that mean that I can take the phone (GSM only networks) and sign up with any GSM carrier (ie t-mobile,cingular/att, etc.)?? I also assume this statement was a little over generalized considering that from what I read ATT sims are 32k and cingular ens sims are 64k so I would not be able to benefit from that but all things considered I could migrate ...
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At the end of the day, the amount of RAM on the SIM only matters in terms of how many numbers and other data you want to store on the SIM. The general phrase "Unlocking your phone" typically means that you are removing the SIM lock restriction, which means that you can use the phone with any GSM-based carrier, not just the one you purchased the phone from; much as you thought.
The amount of memory on the SIM is not relevant to the SIM lock or any SIM restrictions or usage other than storage of additional data.
Legal is yet another issue altogether. The last time I researched it, it was my understanding that it was up to the carriers as to whether or not they would release SIM restriction unlock codes or not, but there really hasn't bee...
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The amount of memory on the SIM is not relevant to the SIM lock or any SIM restrictions or usage other than storage of additional data.
Legal is yet another issue altogether. The last time I researched it, it was my understanding that it was up to the carriers as to whether or not they would release SIM restriction unlock codes or not, but there really hasn't bee...
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"Legal is yet another issue altogether. The last time I researched it, it was my understanding that it was up to the carriers as to whether or not they would release SIM restriction unlock codes or not, but there really hasn't been any litigation to test the true legality or illegality of unlocking. I wouldn't be surprised if it is technically "Illegal", however I doubt sincerely that ANY carrier has made any significant prosecution on that charge."
As far as I know, in the U.S. there are no laws against unlocking your phone, or against carriers locking phones. Further, in the UK, I think it is illegal to unlock a phone, but carrier locking is not as widespread over there as it is here in the U.S. I believe there is a case pending in one...
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As far as I know, in the U.S. there are no laws against unlocking your phone, or against carriers locking phones. Further, in the UK, I think it is illegal to unlock a phone, but carrier locking is not as widespread over there as it is here in the U.S. I believe there is a case pending in one...
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As a quick added note to other readers out there: I just applied this unlock to my phone and I can confirm that the unlock does in fact work as expected. This is a true SIM unlock and not a re-flash with an unlocked phone firmware.
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WinHack said:
As a quick added note to other readers out there: I just applied this unlock to my phone and I can confirm that the unlock does in fact work as expected. This is a true SIM unlock and not a re-flash with an unlocked phone firmware.
Winhack: If you decide to stay with the AT&T plan, what use will be of spending $36? Is it possible to buy a SIM card when you travel overseas so you can get cheaper rates if your phone is unlocked?
I am interested to know since I am within the 30-day grace for another 10 days or so. If I cancel my service with AT&T, will I have to return the phone? If I don't, can I go to another carrier, say T-Moblile or Cingular and buy another SIM card and not have to be s...
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The use of having it unlocked is multi-fold. First: just because I have chosen to stay with AT&T for now does not mean that won't change in 6 months or so. Plans from carriers change all the time (sometimes as often as quarterly), and it would not be impossible to conceive that someone would offer me a better price on voice/data than what I have now. It'd be tough, I'll give you that, but not impossible.
Second: If I happen to go somewhere where my AT&T SIM is not working for me, I can now switch to my T-Mobile SIM at any time (I have a pay-as-you-go SIM) and try that as a second recourse. Again not likely to happen often, even less likely to occur in the first place, but at least *I* now *have* the option.
Third: If I need to go to Eu...
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Second: If I happen to go somewhere where my AT&T SIM is not working for me, I can now switch to my T-Mobile SIM at any time (I have a pay-as-you-go SIM) and try that as a second recourse. Again not likely to happen often, even less likely to occur in the first place, but at least *I* now *have* the option.
Third: If I need to go to Eu...
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I am within the 30-day grace for another 10 days or so. If I cancel my service with AT&T, will I have to return the phone? If I don't, can I go to another carrier, say T-Moblile or Cingular and buy another SIM card and not have to be stuck with any agreement?
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You should be able to keep the phone, just that you will probably have to pay the balance of the $320 (the retail price of the phone). You probably only paid $200 initially. Other than that, you should be able to keep it.
Then you would need to unlock the phone.
Then you would need to get an account with another carrier. That I am aware of, no one sells plans without some contractual length, though it's always worth asking.
Of course, you could get one of T-Mobile's Pay-as-you-go phones (pre-paid account and a cheap phone) and then just swap the SIM out of that phone and into the SMT 5600 (presuming it is unlocked as previously directed). That way, you have NO contract and you only pay for what you use (in advance, of course).
Then you would need to unlock the phone.
Then you would need to get an account with another carrier. That I am aware of, no one sells plans without some contractual length, though it's always worth asking.
Of course, you could get one of T-Mobile's Pay-as-you-go phones (pre-paid account and a cheap phone) and then just swap the SIM out of that phone and into the SMT 5600 (presuming it is unlocked as previously directed). That way, you have NO contract and you only pay for what you use (in advance, of course).
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