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Unlocking SIM for International Use

I have spent a few hours researching this issue and I am not sure it will work out, hoping I can get some guidance from someone more educated on the subject.
I currently travel back and forth between Kuwait and the United States on a regular basis. I really like the Samsung Galaxy SIII, so I am considering buying one at full price from Verizon. I have been using Verizon's service since 2009 and have never been late on a bill or anything. I would like to be able to buy a Samsung Galaxy SIII and unlock the SIM for use in Kuwait on a local carrier like Wataniya, Zane, Viva or any other local carrier in Kuwait as long as the phone will work. Of course 4G would be nice, but I can live without it if I am stuck using 3G while out of the states. I would prefer not to pay for a separate phone for both locations, as I do not want to use some crappy flip phone while I'm in Kuwait, but I do not want to pay for two expensive smart phones either.
The representative at the Verizon store told me I would have to go with an iPhone, but I do not like to give companies like Apple money and I certainly prefer Android over iOS.
Any help / guidance would be greatly appreciated.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
This may help you out.
Also the RAZR and RAZR maxx just became global ready with Verizon also.
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voodoomanx said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
This may help you out.
Also the RAZR and RAZR maxx just became global ready with Verizon also.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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The RAZR Maxx is the other phone I have been considering. Are you saying that I can do what I need to do with the RAZR Maxx without all the trouble this thread implies I am going to have to go through to get it working with the Samsung Galaxy SIII?

I don't suppose there is any chance that anyone on these forums has actually used a Verizon Android phone in Kuwait on a Kuwait provider before?

Yes. The razr maxx is global ready, however you still would have to hack it to make it accept a international sim card.
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voodoomanx said:
Yes. The razr maxx is global ready, however you still would have to hack it to make it accept a international sim card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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Do you know if there are any Verizon Android phones I could just say pay cellunlocker to unlock and go?

So I did a little research on the providers available within Kuwait and this is what it looks like is available.
Wataniya
GSM: 900 and 1800 MHz
EDGE, GPRS and MMS
3G 1900/2100
Viva
We offer Dual Band radio frequencies on GSM 900/1800 MHz, and WCDMA 2100.
We also have broadband data services (HSDPA, EDGE, GPRS and MMS) service so you will be able to check emails, read news, watch content, send and receive MMS and more while you're on the move.
Zane
Dual band GSM 900/1800 handsets, but Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 preferred
Is it likely the Samsung Galaxy SIII or RAZR Maxx will work on any of these networks? Any chance of 4G or 3G?
Again I appreciate all the responses.

Any ideas? I would like to make sure if I pay full price for a Verizon Android phone and go through the trouble to unlock it that it will definitely work.

There is a dual sim adapter and app that you can use on the s3, if you search xda you will see what im talking about. I suggest that you post in that topic and see if there is any better info.
Good luck it looks like the s3 will work but i would get as much info as possible. And the dev edition might be an option. I don't know the price difference between it and Verizon version. But it might be worth seeing if one has different specs for the area you want to use it in. Good luck
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I don't mind having to switch the SIMs out as long as the phone will work on both Verizon and one of the carriers in Kuwait.

Caldaga said:
I don't mind having to switch the SIMs out as long as the phone will work on both Verizon and one of the carriers in Kuwait.
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No need to consider the Developer version now with the bootloader unlocked. (e.g. there isn't going to be anything the developer edition allows you to do that the regular retail version will not). With regard to which bands the Verizon S3 supports, in theory the MSM8960 chipset (Snapdragon S4) supports GSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1700/1900/2199, CDMA 800/850/1900, and LTE 700/750/1700/1900. The thread linked earlier seems to offer some hope of getting it working, but such things are always going to be a little complicated.

thanx for the info guys

verizon global svc
Couple questions.
I travel overseas extensively. Mainly HK/China and EU countries.
I want to use my phone and it would be nice to not have to swap Sims as I then have to update my contact information to customers etc.
I have the unlimited plan and paid full retail for my phone.
I have rooted my phone and am running the stock debloated ROM.
Can Verizon support a modification to the phone that would allow usage on GSM networks?
Alternatively is there some sort of service available that will forward calls from my VZW phone number to a PPsim card?
Additionally, it unclear to me with these unlock processes, do I have to modify my phone upon return to the states and use of my native Sim card should I choose one of these options.
Makes no sense to me why Verizon would want to inhibit this feature on this phone. They could charge me exorbitant rates and get away with it just for the convienence of not having to screw with apn's swap Sims etc.
Thanks for the help

voodoomanx said:
Yes. The razr maxx is global ready, however you still would have to hack it to make it accept a international sim card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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I have a Droid 2 Global (which I bought outright) and wanted to use it in Europe (instead of carrying a separate unlocked Cricket GSM phone). I called up VZN, asked them about it and they said "we see you have met your contract obligation and have not had any phones unlocked in 14 months -- here is the code and here is what you do with it".
I did what they said and have been able to pop in multiple foreign SIM cards with no problem (I did have to switch off VZN however so I did not connect to their partners).
So, my question is - are the guts in the VZN S3 such that all one needs to do is call them up and ask for the unlock code (assuming you have not done this in past 14 months)? Or is the guts of the S3 not really 'global' and hence the need to root, unlock and load new ROMs to use them abroad?
Frank
Michigan

FMinMI said:
I have a Droid 2 Global (which I bought outright) and wanted to use it in Europe (instead of carrying a separate unlocked Cricket GSM phone). I called up VZN, asked them about it and they said "we see you have met your contract obligation and have not had any phones unlocked in 14 months -- here is the code and here is what you do with it".
I did what they said and have been able to pop in multiple foreign SIM cards with no problem (I did have to switch off VZN however so I did not connect to their partners).
So, my question is - are the guts in the VZN S3 such that all one needs to do is call them up and ask for the unlock code (assuming you have not done this in past 14 months)? Or is the guts of the S3 not really 'global' and hence the need to root, unlock and load new ROMs to use them abroad?
Frank
Michigan
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The S3 has the hardware for international roaming. As I understand, Verizon announced that it will have a software update to make it work as an international phone (together with the rezound). Knowing Verizon's history on timelines, I wouldn't hold my breath.

tsachi said:
The S3 has the hardware for international roaming. As I understand, Verizon announced that it will have a software update to make it work as an international phone (together with the rezound). Knowing Verizon's history on timelines, I wouldn't hold my breath.
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Ha ha. Good point!

try this may be help u:laugh:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2231544

Is it possible to flash from Boost to anything else? Sprint maybe?

Hi, My friend Joined Boost Mobile and they gave him an HTC One. He is not happy with Boost and is going to change carriers. He wants to know if he can flash his phone for another carrier like Sprint or Verizon or ATT or T-mobile or is he better off selling the phone on Ebay and getting a phone through his new carrier? Does this Boost phone even have a sim?? He says it doesn't.
Thanks for any input you can give.

HTC ONE?
unsatisfied?
boost is a CDMA carrier so no, it would not have a SIM
tell him I'll purchase it from him if he's serious about selling it.
flashing it to another carrier he would be limited to only CDMA carriers like Sprint or Verizon
AT&T is out of the question
and most likely whoever(if successful) he flashed the device to..... something would be broken
i.e. he might be able to get calls and text but would not be able to surf web without Wi-Fi or get mms.
unless he's a super developer/hacker it would be in his best interest to sell the device and buy another from a more satisfying carrier....(Verizon) is best in my opinion.......
let me know if he's up to selling to me, I'm not a cheapskate, but I'm not a moron either so keep the price fair..
#EDIT# are you sure it's not a HTC OneSV?

There is a guy who flashed a sprint Samsung S4 over to boost so he wouldn't be stuck on a contract lol. He was successful doing it. The guy posted a video on it over on YouTube. Pretty legit I thought .
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[Q] Switch to Straight Talk?

Is it possible to switch either of these phones
http://www.amazon.com/Moto-Boost-Mobile-Prepaid-Phone/dp/B00HPP3VW2
http://www.amazon.com/Moto-Verizon-Prepaid-Phone-Only/dp/B00HPP3QD6
to Straight Talk Wireless? I know switching them to Republic or a few other CDMA-based networks won't work, but since Straight Talk has a Bring-Your-Own-Phone option, is there any way to switch it over to them? Rooting/flashing custom stuff is fine, as I will likely flash either CM or AOSP soon after I get it.
Thank you so much!

thejrcrafter2 said:
Is it possible to switch either of these phones
http://www.amazon.com/Moto-Boost-Mobile-Prepaid-Phone/dp/B00HPP3VW2
http://www.amazon.com/Moto-Verizon-Prepaid-Phone-Only/dp/B00HPP3QD6
to Straight Talk Wireless? I know switching them to Republic or a few other CDMA-based networks won't work, but since Straight Talk has a Bring-Your-Own-Phone option, is there any way to switch it over to them? Rooting/flashing custom stuff is fine, as I will likely flash either CM or AOSP soon after I get it.
Thank you so much!
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I read somewhere that flashing to straight talk is illegal and im the one who tested the republic wirless firmware .

use neither
I have Boost and called them yesterday about getting a carrier unlock code for the Moto G and they acted like they had no clue what so ever about what a carrier unlock code is and since motorola told me the phone is locked to boost then using it on ST will probably not happen. Verizon is probably just as bad about locking the phone to their network and refusing to give out the code. Now you may be able to get a unlock key from some one online which was what Motorola also was one of my options. Now with that being said ST does have a GSM version of the Moto G and you may just want to check into that.

highspeedfelon said:
I have Boost and called them yesterday about getting a carrier unlock code for the Moto G and they acted like they had no clue what so ever about what a carrier unlock code is and since motorola told me the phone is locked to boost then using it on ST will probably not happen. Verizon is probably just as bad about locking the phone to their network and refusing to give out the code. Now you may be able to get a unlock key from some one online which was what Motorola also was one of my options. Now with that being said ST does have a GSM version of the Moto G and you may just want to check into that.
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Verizon currently has all devices esn on their network kind of blacklisted. If you attempt to flash to page plus you will receive an error saying esn isnt clean. After 6 months of service verizon releases you form the black list, so i guess after 6 months the moto g can be flashed to companies that accept BYOP.

What other carriers will this work with ?

I've finally upgraded from my Verizon S3 and am contemplating selling it locally. What I've seen with a lot of people who buy used phones is them wanting to use them with other carriers. So, does anyone know what carriers this can be flashed to ?

hallstevenson said:
I've finally upgraded from my Verizon S3 and am contemplating selling it locally. What I've seen with a lot of people who buy used phones is them wanting to use them with other carriers. So, does anyone know what carriers this can be flashed to ?
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I've used mine on straight talk. I've seen other people use them on AT&T and even TMobile but I never have myself
Sent from my Nexus 5

I know the safe carriers would be those that use Verizon's network:
Page Plus
Straight Talk
Net 10
It does have a SIM card and GSM radio so in theory it should work on ATT and TMo but I'd probably not tell people it will.

hallstevenson said:
I know the safe carriers would be those that use Verizon's network:
Page Plus
Straight Talk
Net 10
It does have a SIM card and GSM radio so in theory it should work on ATT and TMo but I'd probably not tell people it will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very true. Realistically it should work on any carrier but we all know how VZW makes it tough on nearly everyone
Sent from my Nexus 5

Galaxy Note Edge brand new, but...

Hey all, I got one of these brand new in the box from one of those machines that you have to try and get the stick through the hole and it knocks down the prize. The thing is, this one was branded by Sprint (did NOT say Sprint anywhere on the box, only within the phone itself on startup.)
I tried to bring it to MetroPCS, and they said they can't flash it because it was too new or something.
Is there actually a way to flash/unlock it from Sprint to use on Metro?

No, there is not. You have Metro PC which is GSM and you have Sprint which is CDMA. You can contact Sprint to unlock for international use. But it cannot be unlocked for domestic, be it CDMA or GSM.
Call Sprint international customer support.
BTW: This is Dev Section of the forum.. You may want to post in the Q and A section of the forum for questions like these. Its easier to get a helping hand.

Actually i thought the note edge was capable of both. It suppose to run on cdma or gsm like the nexus
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Actually, there is a possibility that if there is no lein on the phone itself, you may be able to contact Sprint and get them to unlock it.
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If your near Minneapolis I'll trade you an unlocked nexus 6