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[Q] Does unlocking mean any cell operator use?

Hi!
Quick question - if I buy Google Galaxy Nexus for Verizon and unlock it - does it mean I will be able to use any GSM operator?
Up to the moment I was only buying only unlocked phones and had no opportunity to mess with a locked device, but here is a real chance to save a buck by means of ebay and so called Verizon phones..
Thanks!

Negatory. It would only work on other cdma carriers. Pretty useless. Unlocking is only really worth a damn for gsm devices. There is not even a SIM card slot on the VZW GN, other than the LTE SIM that goes there, but that's not compatible with gsm.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Yep. Plus if you travel a lot, cdma is utterly useless because of all the processes required to sign it up to a carrier.

So say I were to buy an AT&T phone and use my T-Mobile pay as you go 4G monthly SIM in it... Smooth sailing, right?
I'm currently under the impression that it's more of a phone to phone issue, rather than a definitive yes or no. Doesn't help I've been locked up in CDMA since I started playing around with phones.

Well for me the unlocking mobile it is preaty useless (in my opinion of course)

Thanks a lot for help!
Without all of your advice I'd have ended up with $550 spent on a phone which can't be used
I have a corporate GSM SIM card (11 years old it is) with local Russian cell phone operator, and I have to stick with it...

net_wonder said:
Without all of your advice I'd have ended up with $550 spent on a phone which can't be used
I have a corporate GSM SIM card (11 years old it is) with local Russian cell phone operator, and I have to stick with it...
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Good god 11 year old sim?! pics!

TJBunch1228 said:
Negatory. It would only work on other cdma carriers. Pretty useless. Unlocking is only really worth a damn for gsm devices. There is not even a SIM card slot on the VZW GN, other than the LTE SIM that goes there, but that's not compatible with gsm.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
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Actually the verizon galaxy nexus does have a sim slot and there is a possibility it could be used with GSM carriers. This theory started with the Rezound. So when you pop in a sim, you can turn off LTE and select GSM. Everything works except outgoing SMS (don't know about 3rd party messenging apps).

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UVClay said:
So say I were to buy an AT&T phone and use my T-Mobile pay as you go 4G monthly SIM in it... Smooth sailing, right?
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Not quite. Phone functions would be ok. But for data you would have only 2G (edge). No 3G or 4G.
Sent from HTC G2

Crashdamage said:
Not quite. Phone functions would be ok. But for data you would have only 2G (edge). No 3G or 4G.
Sent from HTC G2
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Not 100% true. The Skyrocket is pentaband and can be used on t-mobile.

GSM/CDMA - Global Roaming

I searched the Verizon Galaxy S3 forums and could find no discussion about the global capabilities of this phone. I had understood at purchase (pre-ordered) that an OTA update would be coming soon to turn on global capabilities. I have seen nothing yet. I have called Verizon, gone to local store (useless), contacted Samsung tech support both online and via telephone. Everyone just says they have no idea.
So, if I have rooted my phone and unlocked the bootloader, is there a way to turn on global capabilities? Or even easier, can I just buy a SIM card from a European provider and insert and it will work?
I appreciate any input on this. I am new to using a smartphone in Europe but I can't give it up now for even two weeks.

Just wait for the ota. Im due for a dominican republuc trip in 50 days. If i dont get the unlocking OTA before my trip im raising hell.
VZW GALAXY S 3 4G LTE

I want to know what people who live on/near a border do? If you live in US very near the Canada border, how do you stop your phone from roaming back & forth and bending you over on "international" charges, even though you technically are in the US.

Here is the thread you were looking for..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
Sent from my (not really) SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Thanks Beemer533.
Beemer533 said:
Here is the thread you were looking for..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
Sent from my (not really) SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
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Thanks for responding. I did find this thread a bit after I posted. Working through the steps.

Just a quick question on this topic. I've received the 4.1 OTA update from Verizon for the Galaxy S3. This update was supposed to bring global roaming capabilities. My question is, what does this mean? I know the thread linked above allows a Galaxy S3 to use other 3G networks but that involves rooting and complicated setups with APN (which, while I can certainly do, I'd rather not).
So, what does the default 4.1 configuration on Verizon get me? Can I go to, say, Japan and pop in a 3G SIM? Or is "roaming" simply roaming on any CDMA network? Is Verizon going to charge roaming fees?

apostrophi said:
Just a quick question on this topic. I've received the 4.1 OTA update from Verizon for the Galaxy S3. This update was supposed to bring global roaming capabilities. My question is, what does this mean? I know the thread linked above allows a Galaxy S3 to use other 3G networks but that involves rooting and complicated setups with APN (which, while I can certainly do, I'd rather not).
So, what does the default 4.1 configuration on Verizon get me? Can I go to, say, Japan and pop in a 3G SIM? Or is "roaming" simply roaming on any CDMA network? Is Verizon going to charge roaming fees?
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I had a similar question and called Verizon. They confirmed that the 4.1 update unlocks the sim so that you can use any carrier overseas. However, if you need to modify APN's, good luck. There is no easy way to do that I've found without rooting. I'd rather not root my phone. I'm going to PAris and Rome in April and was hoping to use a sim card from iphonetrips. They have the best deals for unlimited data depending...

Using 3G data in Europe

So I'm looking into traveling to Portugal this summer and I'm wondering if I can grab a 3G data only card from Vodofone and pop it into my S3. I know the phone needs to be unlocked for this to work and I have seen a long involved tutorial on here on how to unlock the phone, but I've also heard Verizon will unlock a phone for you if you are a customer in good standing. Is this true? If I can get Verizon to unlock my phone should I theoretically be able to use this data sim card in Portugal?
Also, I know Vodafone lets you make calls to other Vodafone users for free, will I be able to do this if a get a sim card with some prepaid data on it only? Am I still considered to be on Vodafone's cellular network?
Thanks so much!
As a side: If anyone has an experience with Vodafone's 3G in and around the Lisbon area let me know how it is!! I'm mainly looks to tether my phone to a laptop and do some development work while I'm over there.

Would you happen to have that link yo the process of where you can unlock the phone? Or you just mean the process for changing the apn
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

djteotancolis said:
Would you happen to have that link yo the process of where you can unlock the phone? Or you just mean the process for changing the apn
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
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I'm pretty sure the thread they're referring to is the GSM travel thread. If using a JB TW rom, one just needs to edit the apn's like you mentioned.

Got it, thanks!
I've also heard that the Verizon GSIII does not have the radio's for internation GSM 3G, is this correct?

skytbest said:
Got it, thanks!
I've also heard that the Verizon GSIII does not have the radio's for internation GSM 3G, is this correct?
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I would say that's incorrect given the thread I posted which contains plenty of user experiences contradicting that statement. I'm eager to do this myself if I travel again this year.
The primary thing you just need to do is have an international sim and also use one of the mentioned apps that adjusts your APNs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
I would say that's incorrect given the thread I posted which contains plenty of user experiences contradicting that statement. I'm eager to do this myself if I travel again this year.
The primary thing you just need to do is have an international sim and also use one of the mentioned apps that adjusts your APNs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
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Thank you! When you say 'international sim' do you mean just a sim from another country or do I have to ask for some specific type of sim card? Meaning, if I got to a Vodafone kiosk and get a prepaid sim card would it work?

skytbest said:
Thank you! When you say 'international sim' do you mean just a sim from another country or do I have to ask for some specific type of sim card? Meaning, if I got to a Vodafone kiosk and get a prepaid sim card would it work?
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Yes, I mean a sim from another country.
From what I've read, that's pretty much what you do. You just pay for whichever plan you want then follow those steps in the link. I can't speak from experience so I'm useless there. Depending on the carrier and country, some folks seem to have gotten HSPA others have gotten 2G. I'd love to know what you're results were after your trip either here or in that thread.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Moved to Europe with my i535, complete rebuild/flash options?

Ok, i hope the title was informative enough. Also, i have searched up and down and left and right and for over a month now. I have tried different mods and kernals and what not. I also have no problem supporting the people that make Roms and Apps that need to be used to properly unlock phones.
Here is what i am looking for. Crossing my fingers in the hopes that i just have not found this holy grail yet.
I will no longer need anything Verizon on my phone as i have permanently moved to Europe. I want to flash my phone so that i no longer have ANYTHING Verizon on it. I want my phone to be able to use GSM Sim Cards and be able to use data on European 3g and 4g networks. I want a truly unlocked phone where if i switch sim cards in any country for what ever reason, that i will not have to mess with gsm or apn settings.
Is there such an automated system that i could flash on to my Galaxy S3 I535? Or am i stuck with using random rom's and using third party applications to get all these things to properly work on my phone at all times?

I think you best bet is to sell the i535 and buy an i9300

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I would suggest flashing a ROM that doesn't have any Verizon software on it like CleanRom. Then use this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314 to make it into a world phone. Though like the post above said it would be much easier to get an international phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SCH-R530 from US Cellular - why no worky?

Hey ladies and gets,
I am new here and I do not have much experience. I have been on an android binge for a week now and I have read a lot of threads, and flashed my phone so many times already.
Here is the info:
Samsung Galaxy SIII (LTE I guess)
SCH-R530, and in some places it shows SCH-R530U
Currently running on the latest nightly cyo..10.2
IMEI starts with 99000... and I have checked its not stolen or anything - there is also a sticker behind the bat that confirms it.
Originally a US Cellular Phone, I want to get it working with T-Mobile.
Things I have tried:
-I got the Samsung Tool Kit (donated), received all the updates - and the phone still does not unlock the network operators.
-Used a method from youtube - CDMA Workshop - connect to the serial port - security - samsung defaults - screen on pc says unlocked but phone is not although it is answering to the program.
- No option for the network lock as known in the 530
-Used three different online services - but they said no can do.
- Called tmobile - and placed a request and they said - that IME does not correspond to the model of the phone(???)
I am a student, I can't afford to get anything else - so please help or point me in the right direction. Thank you

I don't think you can do it.

I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

GottaProblemBro said:
I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.

Bsqueeze44 said:
There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.
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in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.

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Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.

Bsqueeze44 said:
Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.
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Vzw bought out USC... in some areas I believe? Any how now no the USC will not work on T-Mobile. At least not stock....yet. It may be possible to get voice working but that would be about it. If you could vet data the most it would possibly be is edge as far as I know.... If you want to try something I would try flashing a sch-i535 ROM of 4.0.x-4.1.1 Odin would be best but do not flash the radio/modem. I am not Of 100% on this but Odin might skip over the modem if flashing i535 ROM to the r530. If not mobile Odin is able to only flash selected partitions of choice. Make sure you use a pre rooted ROM. After that and it is successful you may be able to follow the guide posted some where in here on how to use the i535 globally. It will require APN pro I believe. And another app to be able to select gsm global (don't recall for sure) if you find the guide it will tell you. . good luck and let me know if that helps.

Bonkurei said:
in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.
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I agree with
that verizon is (gsm+cdma)
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