[Q] Flashing for different carriers. - General Questions and Answers

1st off, if this is in the wrong place, please dont flip out on me. Just re-route the thread with a verbal response.
My issue @ hand. I've typically been a GSM customer through-out various companies. I've had a handful of devices running a handful of OS's. I'm familiar with rooting, jailbreaking, flashing roms, kernals, recoveries, etc. But recently I switched to a low-level cell provider by the name of Ntelos. This network is CDMA, and has, I must say, has a horrible line up of phones with the HTC Desire being their biggest "hit". I am currently using a Samsung Gem ( ) and have not found ways of rooting it. Since this phone isn't up to my standards either way, I intend on finding a new device. A business-friend of mine, who sells for this company, is willing to flash me a CDMA device for a simple fee. He claims I can use any CDMA phone, and "shouldn't" have any trouble with it, even if said device should happen to have a bad ESN.
So to the point.... I'm looking for any kind of help / resources I can get to flash CDMA phones to network of choice. In this instance it is Ntelos, and I have no desire to learn how to flash to any other network. I'm probably going to end up finding myself a Sprint device, because along-side T-Mobile, I feel they have the best devices (With the occasional Verizon device). Any suggestions, point-to's, or even advice would be taken with great appreciation. I just don't want to have to pay the man if I can do it myself. Thanks, Your response(s) are anticipated.

Related

Super Sim Clone and others

I have searched thru these forums trying an many combo's as I could think of and couldn't find it so hopefully this isnt a repeat set of questions.
-In the Bourne Supremacy, Jason Bourne makes a copy of somebody's sim card which allowed his phone to be on the same call as that person at the same time. All the references I can find to sim cloning state that the second phone must be switched off (or it causes some kind of problem?). So is there any such way to do that with GSM? The only reason I ask is because I work for a CDMA service provider, at sometimes during an ESN swap/upgrade the system will not release the old ESN. The result seems to be that both phones ring at the same time (Though only one can answer). Basically can it be done or is it movie magic?
-During my searches I saw many results for IMEI cloning. Im not sure if I understand why you would want to do this. Some ppl wanted to trick a service provider into giving them service, and I guess some wanted to use a phone that had been banned on a network(?). But really other than using a stolen or banned phone, whats the reason for the popularity of this issue?
-Also I unlock every phone I get, and it looks like there are many US AT&T users here that use or need unlock software. AT&T's general policy nowadays is that they will supply you with the codes for no charge. Just call in and say you bought the phone and will not be using their service. Basically no question asked. Tmobile will give you the code after 90 days with active service, and might give you the code if you arent planning on using their service. So is there another reason for unlocking the phones thru software as opposed to just getting the code? (Is it better, does it do more for you?)
And not a question but a huge, THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you guys for doing what you do. VP3G's 8525 ROM is awesome (^_^)y
No
in regards to the sim, NO

Rally cry to all WM users for un-locked GPS

I read a really great article detailing a crisis that is currently afflicting the WM world.. To read it, go here.. It basically bemoans how a lot of carriers are locking down their GPS to only work with their branded GPS software.. I hope this will at least be an interesting read for you... I for one support them
What do you think can be done to cause this to stop?
Would flashing to a non-carrier branded rom unlock the GPS? (On the HTC Fuze)
I figure this, all ROM's released to date, from VZW, all have the GPS "locked", but there have been ways to work around it. I say if it's there, then we can somehow utilize it. VZW, just released the Touch Pro, I'm interested in what it's capable of doing. I believe it comes stock with a functioning GPS, but you have to pay for the VZW service.
If it really gets so bad that nothing can be done, and providers dumb down these powerful devices anymore, I'll have to move to a new platform.
I purchased an unlocked zinc to use with my existing t-mo 2yr contract and gps works fine with no sim at all (phone icon must be lit in 'comm mgr').
Are you referring to carrier locked phones specifically?

Question about Verizon service/plans

*Mods, please move if there is a better place. I normally hang out on the development forums so I'm not exactly sure where to post*
I have a phone that I bought from Verizon and I have kept the unlimited data. I know all about my phone but next to nothing about my service.
My question is specifically about phablets (for example, this) which is basically a big ass phone, or a tablet with cell service, however you want to word it. I'd use it exclusively with bluetooth instead of holding the thing up to my head, don't worry.
I travel internationally and see them A LOT in other countries (they cannot help me though since I need one to use in the US). I am under the impression that VZ will not activate anything I did not buy from them. I don't know how solid this is but every VZ employee I have asked has confirmed this so far. I know in the past that it used to be as simple as switching out the SIM card but doubt this is still the case.
I'm sure there are some hardware specs that I need to look at that would determine the LTE/3G whatever compatibility, but I don't know the terminology. Can you help me out?
Also, I am hesitant to leave VZ because of the unlimited data and the service coverage. I live in mildly populated CT, USA and would welcome a prepaid plan if it was comparable but don't even know where to begin looking.
Thank you in advance - I really don't have anyone else to ask about this stuff.
You will want to look for international versions of the devices you are looking for. These versions carry multiple antennas that allows them to be used in different countries. As far as I know, these phones use SIM cards, which allows you to purchase an international SIM or a SIM in the country you are in, and it should work when you plug it into your device.
Is there a way to check for the antennas in the specifications instead of relying on the seller to accurately sell me the int'l version? How would you go about buying a SIM card?

[Q] Questions about No-Contract phones and using them without carrier

Hello, everyone. Thanks for having me.
I'm interested in acquiring some cellphones. I live outside the U.S, and I just want the phones for multimedia, internet and apps related usages, so I don't really need any carriers for the phones, not even in my country, that's why I find these No-Contract offers very good budget-wise.
But then there surge some questions,
*Are these No-Contract phones locked so you can't use them without activating them with a carrier? I mean, maybe something like not going past the start screen if they don't have a valid sim card on, or requiring one-time-activation or something?
*Can I use wi-fi with them with them, or is it subjected to activation with the carrier?
*What about rooting? Are the carriers selling the phones relative to the rooting/ jailbreaking process?
I know my questions might be noobish, but I'm just making sure before buying. You see, I've seen questions like these on Amazon with different answers, which has led me to this confusion and lack of assurance. I myself own (and even jailbroke) a phone from another country I use without carrier, though there are still specifics I'm not sure about yet.
Thanks in advance.
Android 5.1 offers an option to bypass SIM activation for sure ^^
I think it can be bypassed even on stock software!

[Completed] Lack of support for Cricket Wireless variants?

Is there a technical reason behind the general lack of support?
Seems these phones follow the same principles of ATT variants given that they are a subsidiary... namely primarily locked bootladers.
LG G Stylo - supported on T-Mo/Metro, Cricket unsupported
LG Leon/LG Risio - supported on T-Mo/Metro, Cricket unsupported
HTC Desire 626s - supported on T-Mo/Metro, Cricket partially supported
2 years since the ATT buyout - there are a ton more Cricket subscribers than there were.
Also, Safestrap
Hello,
Try posting in the forums below for each device.
LG Stylo http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g-stylo/help
LG Leon http://forum.xda-developers.com/leon/help
LG Risio There is no forum for Risio, try posting your question for it here http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
HTC Desire 626s http://forum.xda-developers.com/desire-626/help
The experts there may be able to help. Good luck.
Droidriven said:
Hello,
Try posting in the forums below for each device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Question has been asked in answered in those threads. My inquiry is of a broader nature.
In fact, I generally understand it has to do with the locked bootloaders ATT & VZW insist upon.
But there are workarounds...
I'm wondering why attempts aren't made on Cricket devices as they are on ATT/VZW variants given the increased numbers.
Surmisation said:
Thanks. Question has been asked in answered in those threads. My inquiry is of a broader nature.
In fact, I generally understand it has to do with the locked bootloaders ATT & VZW insist upon.
But there are workarounds...
I'm wondering why attempts aren't made on Cricket devices as they are on ATT/VZW variants given the increased numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because most developers don't build for devices on MVNO or prepaid networks, they focus on the main networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon. These carriers usually have devices on the networks under them or that use their network that can use the same ROMs(for example, my device is a Straight Talk S3 device on Verizon network and I can use the Verizon S3 ROMs and other custom mods on my device).
If the main Network you're under has a version of your device on their network and there is custom stuff available for it then it may be usable on the devices like it on the other networks under it. That isn't always the case though, sometimes there are things that need to be modified for it to work.
Just remember that devices on MVNO networks(a smaller service provider that uses another networks towers) and prepaid networks don't usually get any development, if they do then its because they just happen to be able to use stuff that was made for another device or even luckier a developer that has the device decides to build for it. These MVNO and prepaid devices are not as popular as the same devices on the major networks. There may be a LOT of people with them but they still are not used by as many people that have the device from the major carrier.
And no one ever said that every device gets supported, its a developers choice of what devices get support, it has nothing to do with how many people have the device or request support, it all depends on whether there is a developer that WANTS to build for a device and typically that's because they happen to own one of the devices, if they don't own one of the devices then they won't build for it because it requires having the device to properly build anything for it, what they build has to be tested before it is released to the public to avoid bricking everyone's device.
If you want those devices supported then learn how to build for them because the only other option is to wait and see if anyone decides to do it.
Does that answer your question thoroughly enough for you to understand?
Ink'd from my KrAkEn'd S3
Droidriven said:
Does that answer your question thoroughly enough for you to understand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very thorough. Forgive my momentary lapse of intellect. I should have put it together when typing up the original question.
The variants for T-Mo/Metro cover a much larger set of subscribers because variants are available on both networks.
Whereas ATT doesn't usually carry its prepaid variants (Cricket).
Thanks!

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