Thunder Question.
Since it's supposed to be a global phone, couldn't you just pop in a ATT or T-MO sim? It would have both EVDO & HSPDA radios in it right? How exclusive is it, really? I was just wondering.
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No- the 8830 only had a dual-band GSM chip in it so it was incapable of North American GSM frequencies, even if unlocked.
There is no way Vodafone will settle for a dual-band device. Either every Thunder in the world will be CDMA/Quadband or RIM is making a totally different run of the device: Quadband GSM-only for Voda and CDMA/Dual-band for VZW. That's not very likely.
It will probably just have a good old-fashion software lock to prevent roaming on the USA GSM bands if you get the VZW version. Would be great for VZW if they could somehow lock the GSM bands while in the USA but allow GSM roaming in Mexico and other North American GSM countries. CDMA roaming south of the border is practically worthless.
There is no way Vodafone will settle for a dual-band device. Either every Thunder in the world will be CDMA/Quadband or RIM is making a totally different run of the device: Quadband GSM-only for Voda and CDMA/Dual-band for VZW. That's not very likely.
It will probably just have a good old-fashion software lock to prevent roaming on the USA GSM bands if you get the VZW version. Would be great for VZW if they could somehow lock the GSM bands while in the USA but allow GSM roaming in Mexico and other North American GSM countries. CDMA roaming south of the border is practically worthless.
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The GSM radios are still unknown at this point.
Verizon is starting to offer phone like the I770 and the Q9 Napoleon in CDMA and Quad-band GSM (US and Abroad) but it could be like the 8830 CDMA only in the N.America and GSM abroad.
The original report is Thunder is a lifetime exclusive with Verizon/Vodafone but it's not to say that other touchscreen qwerty or slide out qwerty cannot come to other carriers so day.
Verizon is starting to offer phone like the I770 and the Q9 Napoleon in CDMA and Quad-band GSM (US and Abroad) but it could be like the 8830 CDMA only in the N.America and GSM abroad.
The original report is Thunder is a lifetime exclusive with Verizon/Vodafone but it's not to say that other touchscreen qwerty or slide out qwerty cannot come to other carriers so day.
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why would you want to go to all that hassle trying to hack/unlock it to use it on att when you can just use it on Verizon's network which is far better?
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The bigger question is why is he pondering hacking something that isn't even out yet, I mean I know we have 10/13/08 being our hopeful release date but there is a big chance that is not correct. I might be delayed or something.
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Can't a guy ask a simple question anymore? Geez... Sometimes you guys take things way too personal.
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