If I purchase a phone on Ebay with a bad ESN and it's unlocked, can it be used with GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Rodgers, etc?
BUMP......
froggylover1345 said:
If I purchase a phone on Ebay with a bad ESN and it's unlocked, can it be used with GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Rodgers, etc?
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ESN is usually used for CDMA devices, so the carriers that you mentioned probably won't be able to use it (since they are GSM).
As for the issue with the bad ESN, you can try to get in touch with a CDMA carrier (ie Sprint if you are in the US) and try to activate it, but chances are that you will not succeed.
Hi all. I've just found out about this brilliant phone. Had no idea it existed. I've always liked the Motorola Milestone (qwerty physical keyboards are a must to me) however i ended up getting the wrong version of the milestone (european) with the wrong 3G bands for my carrier so i could only get Edge speeds.
Anyways, it seems like the Droid 2 Global version uses simcards. I live in the Dominican Republic, Claro (my carrier) runs on the 850/1900 bands and it seems like the D2G can work with them, in theory. I've been reading a couple of threads regarding this though, it seems like those bands have been locked out by verizon so people don't use it on other US carriers such as AT&T which happens to run on the same bands i need (850/1900). But others say its the carrier ID that has been locked out. I read something about a user being able to get 3G speeds on Chile, but i've no idea what bands he was using.
What i want to know is, if i ordered a Droid 2 Global phone, would i be getting 3G speeds using my Claro simcard here after having it sim-unlocked?
There's also the Milestone 2 of course, but they seem to cost $500+ plus they dont specify which bands the phone works with. I dont want to end up buying the wrong phone version again. Also, It seemsl ike the droid 2 global is being sold for a less ($300-400).
XtriFe said:
Hi all. I've just found out about this brilliant phone. Had no idea it existed. I've always liked the Motorola Milestone (qwerty physical keyboards are a must to me) however i ended up getting the wrong version of the milestone (european) with the wrong 3G bands for my carrier so i could only get Edge speeds.
Anyways, it seems like the Droid 2 Global version uses simcards. I live in the Dominican Republic, Claro (my carrier) runs on the 850/1900 bands and it seems like the D2G can work with them, in theory. I've been reading a couple of threads regarding this though, it seems like those bands have been locked out by verizon so people don't use it on other US carriers such as AT&T which happens to run on the same bands i need (850/1900). But others say its the carrier ID that has been locked out. I read something about a user being able to get 3G speeds on Chile, but i've no idea what bands he was using.
What i want to know is, if i ordered a Droid 2 Global phone, would i be getting 3G speeds using my Claro simcard here after having it sim-unlocked?
There's also the Milestone 2 of course, but they seem to cost $500+ plus they dont specify which bands the phone works with. I dont want to end up buying the wrong phone version again. Also, It seemsl ike the droid 2 global is being sold for a less ($300-400).
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http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_2_global-3636.php
read the spec
I am using my SIM-unlocked D2G fine here, on a carrier that uses 850MHz UMTS.
The Milestone 2, as far as I know, is still only available in a 900/2100 UMTS variant so far.
From what I gather, the lock Verizon put on the radio to prevent use on US GSM carriers is based on the MCC (mobile country code) number associated with networks based in the USA, and not the frequencies themselves. In effect, once unlocked the phone will work with any GSM provider (on a supported frequency), except those based in the U.S. This would explain why the AT&T 850MHz network (MCC 301) doesn't work, whereas the Telstra 850MHz network I use (MCC 505) does.
One complication about buying a Droid 2 Global now, is that from various reports on this forum, some devices don't respond to their SIM unlock codes (!) and are effectively unlockable. If I were buying a D2G now for use on a GSM carrier, I'd only buy one that has already been unlocked - wouldn't want to take the chance on getting a phone that is unlockable. This might be why some are being listed for dirt cheap!
helmutiffe said:
I am using my SIM-unlocked D2G fine here, on a carrier that uses 850MHz UMTS.
From what I gather, the lock Verizon put on the radio to prevent use on US GSM carriers is based on the MCC (mobile country code) number associated with networks based in the USA, and not the frequencies themselves. In effect, once unlocked the phone will work with any GSM provider (on a supported frequency), except those based in the U.S. This would explain why the AT&T 850MHz network (MCC 301) doesn't work, whereas the Telstra 850MHz network I use (MCC 505) does.
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Brilliant, thats what i wanted to know, many thanks !
helmutiffe said:
One complication about buying a Droid 2 Global now, is that from various reports on this forum, some devices don't respond to their SIM unlock codes (!) and are effectively unlockable. If I were buying a D2G now for use on a GSM carrier, I'd only buy one that has already been unlocked - wouldn't want to take the chance on getting a phone that is unlockable. This might be why some are being listed for dirt cheap!
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Wow thats not good is it. Thanks for the advice, i'll make sure the phone is unlocked. I've never really understood how phones are unlocked by third party anyways. But I understand you can have them unlocked by giving verizon a call and under certain conditions, they'll provide the unlock code for free.
I was in the Dominican Republic last week with my D2G and it worked perfectly (unlocked using Rogers Canada service). Claro service sucked a bit (coverage wise) but worked fine (3G), Orange (EDGE) seemed a bit better where I was.
I am pretty sure you will be fine AS LONG AS you get unlockable/unlocked D2G.
ok one last question,
does anyone know if a droid with bad esn will work ok with a different carrier's simcard if unlocked?
I would assume droids with bad esn will be going for cheaper on ebay
bas esn mean d phone could be stolen so it will b a hassle to clear the esn
How can one know if the phone has a bad ESN? Just wondering.
TripleMPower said:
How can one know if the phone has a bad ESN? Just wondering.
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Obtain the esn from whomever you are purchasing from. Then ask Verizon regarding the esn you were provided.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
but wouldnt you only need a clear ESN if you're going to use the phone with CDMA? or would that affect GSM usage as well ? (simcards)
According to the eBay listing I bought mine from, it has a bad ESN (at least, it explicitly stated "will not activate on Verizon") - but the GSM/UMTS radio works fine.
helmutiffe said:
According to the eBay listing I bought mine from, it has a bad ESN (at least, it explicitly stated "will not activate on Verizon") - but the GSM/UMTS radio works fine.
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Bad ESN will only affect use on Verizon and its MNVOs (possibly). GSM networks will work fine. Just remember though if it's not already unlocked, and the ebay unlocker codes don't work, it will probably be near impossible getting verizon to give you the code for a phone with bad esn.
thanks for the info. I''ll look for unlocked plus bad ESN phones on ebay and see if theyre any cheaper
I bought a Desire S on China...and now I am going to Mexico for a couple months. If a use a Mexican SIM Card will it work with the available mobile operators in Mexico?
**In case it does not, what do I need to do?
Thanks XDA forum guys!
lost.in.china said:
I bought a Desire S on China...and now I am going to Mexico for a couple months. If a use a Mexican SIM Card will it work with the available mobile operators in Mexico?
**In case it does not, what do I need to do?
Thanks XDA forum guys!
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As long as it is not SIM Locked, I don't see why it won't work on any GSM network...
In Mexico, the predominant cellular service company is called Telcel, currently owned by Carlos Slim. Telcel uses the GSM networks on the 850 and 1900 bands – which is the same frequencies that GSM carriers use in the United States and Canada. ref : http://www.cellularabroad.com/mexicocellService.php
And the Desire S is compatible with both these bands. ref : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_s-3776.php
Happy journey, mate. Enchilada time!!
enigmaamit said:
As long as it is not SIM Locked, I don't see why it won't work on any GSM network...
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How can I know is the SIM is locked?
**And by the way, I am anxious for some enchiladas! Yummy!
lost.in.china said:
How can I know is the SIM is locked?
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If your phone is branded (some cell operator) it will show some kind of logo either on the phone physically or splash screen etc.
Simple test - Take out your current SIM card from your phone and put in another SIM of a different carrier (different from the one you're using now). If it works, and you're able to make/receive calls, you are SIM unlocked. This is the simplest confirmatory test I'm aware of!
If you bought the phone in China, I highly doubt ANYTHING will be locked!!
If you mean "send and receive calls" - yes, it will work. In the worst case it'll require network unlock, which is something like $15, give or take a few.
If you mean "3G data will work" - no, it won't. The UMTS frequencies are incompatible with Desire S.
I switched to sprint about 5 months ago and I got my s5 with a 2 year contract. We also got another line with another phone. The account is in good standing with payments on time always. Will Sprint unlock it for me so I can use it on a trip im taking overseas? I'm not sure what their policy is..and I know they do it OTA, so that means I have to be on stock rom right?
Yes stock rom. Sprint more than likely unlick. Of course you will have to mnew monthly charges. But depend sd wherr your going. If going to us territories sprint will work. Just call sptint anf see
They will usually unlock it for international roaming after having the phone on your account for 90 days.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
please note that most of the world is now based on GSM and Sprint is a CDMA based service. Once unlocked you would probably need a GSM sim card installed in order to use the S5 (this sim card can either be one from the US, a more expensive option, or a local sim wherever you are traveling to).
In Europe, especially UK, there are many cheap GSM sim operators.
Drugman109 said:
please note that most of the world is now based on GSM and Sprint is a CDMA based service. Once unlocked you would probably need a GSM sim card installed in order to use the S5 (this sim card can either be one from the US, a more expensive option, or a local sim wherever you are traveling to).
In Europe, especially UK, there are many cheap GSM sim operators.
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Yeah that's the plan for me to buy a local sim in that country so I can use the phone with a local number there. Do you know what bands the gsm works on?
euklid said:
Yeah that's the plan for me to buy a local sim in that country so I can use the phone with a local number there. Do you know what bands the gsm works on?
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Depending on the country involved they use 900 and 1800 mainly but the s5 has all the bands used in Europe. Note that T Mobile is a major carrier so you should be ok with this phone if it is truly unlocked
specifically Spain and Greece?
if i plan to buy a local sim card to use overseas (I have it unlocked)
1dtms said:
specifically Spain and Greece?
if i plan to buy a local sim card to use overseas (I have it unlocked)
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Should work... Especially since it is (CARRIER) unlocked....