Should I expect Sprint to give me an unlock code?

I've had service for over 3 years. I am planning to switch to
T-Mobile. Before I switch I want to unlock my phone so I can sell it
to someone else for use on any network (that's the same technology as
SprintPCS).

I called 611 this morning and they said, "NO WAY!"

Has anyone else had a different experience? Is this worth pursuing?

John

"John" <johnfofawn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d89364bd.0310291346.420ce9a5@posting.google.c om...
> I've had service for over 3 years. I am planning to switch to
> T-Mobile. Before I switch I want to unlock my phone so I can sell it
> to someone else for use on any network (that's the same technology as
> SprintPCS).
>
> I called 611 this morning and they said, "NO WAY!"
>
> Has anyone else had a different experience? Is this worth pursuing?
>
> John

John, just what makes you think that any other wireless provider will
initiate service on a SPCS branded phone? Especially if they don't even
carry the same model phone in their own line of phones ...

Bob

"Bob Smith" <usirsclt_NoSpam_@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<ygXnb.10019$X22.7153@newsread2.news.atl.eart hlink.net>...
> "John" <johnfofawn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:d89364bd.0310291346.420ce9a5@posting.google.c om...
> > I've had service for over 3 years. I am planning to switch to
> > T-Mobile. Before I switch I want to unlock my phone so I can sell it
> > to someone else for use on any network (that's the same technology as
> > SprintPCS).
> >
> > I called 611 this morning and they said, "NO WAY!"
> >
> > Has anyone else had a different experience? Is this worth pursuing?
> >
> > John
>
> John, just what makes you think that any other wireless provider will
> initiate service on a SPCS branded phone? Especially if they don't even
> carry the same model phone in their own line of phones ...
>
> Bob

I dunno. People seem to be selling unlocked phones on Ebay. They had
to come from someplace, right?

John

"John" <johnfofawn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d89364bd.0310291830.9daf233@posting.google.co m...
> "Bob Smith" <usirsclt_NoSpam_@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:<ygXnb.10019$X22.7153@newsread2.news.atl.eart hlink.net>...
> > "John" <johnfofawn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:d89364bd.0310291346.420ce9a5@posting.google.c om...
> > > I've had service for over 3 years. I am planning to switch to
> > > T-Mobile. Before I switch I want to unlock my phone so I can sell it
> > > to someone else for use on any network (that's the same technology as
> > > SprintPCS).
> > >
> > > I called 611 this morning and they said, "NO WAY!"
> > >
> > > Has anyone else had a different experience? Is this worth pursuing?
> > >
> > > John
> >
> > John, just what makes you think that any other wireless provider will
> > initiate service on a SPCS branded phone? Especially if they don't even
> > carry the same model phone in their own line of phones ...
> >
> > Bob
>
> I dunno. People seem to be selling unlocked phones on Ebay. They had
> to come from someplace, right?
>
> John

Were those SPCS phones? I kinda doubt it. Sounds more like GSM phones you
are talking about. What phone do you have, and is that specific model
offered on any other CDMA wireless providers?

Bob

Why do people make such a big deal about "unlocking" phones? You'll
have a phone with all these great features, web, camera, etc.. but you
won't be able to take full (or any) advantage of them on other
networks.

I can put a brand new "unlocked" 8100 up on Ebay for $250, but if you
use it on another carrier, you would be able to make voice calls, but
thats about it. No web, which means you can't email the pictures
without spending more money on a cable and software.

Why not get a phone for $50 and spend the $200 on a nice digital
camera?

--
Posted at SprintUsers.com - Your place for everything Sprint PCS
Free wireless access @ www.SprintUsers.com/wap

> I dunno. People seem to be selling unlocked phones > on Ebay. They had to
come from someplace,
> right?


Mostly GSM phones. They get unlocked in one of 2 ways.

1. Cellular carrier may unlock it for you after you've fulfilled your 1 or 2
year contract.
2. The phones has been unlocked by hacking, there
are a few web sites devoted to that practice.


Unlocked GSM phones are useful so one can have cell service in Europe.

In article <d89364bd.0310291346.420ce9a5@posting.google.com >,
johnfofawn@hotmail.com (John) wrote:
>I've had service for over 3 years. I am planning to switch to
>T-Mobile. Before I switch I want to unlock my phone so I can sell it
>to someone else for use on any network (that's the same technology as
>SprintPCS).

You can read forums at www.smartphonesource.com for the "procedure"
for unlocking Sprint phones. However if it is a phone that could never be
effectively used on another network (e.g. a Vision phone or similar that
has advanced Sprint-only features), then why bother ? Overall I'd say
why bother as most newer phones you'd never want to move to a
different carrier anyways...

They make it so that phones aren't universal so that someone cannot buy a
phone off ebay and use on someone elses account and send them the bill.
This is why none of the carriers want anything to do with each others phones
and try to keep them off of their network.

-brandt


"TechGeek" <TechGeek.w43rz@in-val-id.com> wrote in message
news:TechGeek.w43rz@in-val-id.com...
>
> Why do people make such a big deal about "unlocking" phones? You'll
> have a phone with all these great features, web, camera, etc.. but you
> won't be able to take full (or any) advantage of them on other
> networks.
>
> I can put a brand new "unlocked" 8100 up on Ebay for $250, but if you
> use it on another carrier, you would be able to make voice calls, but
> thats about it. No web, which means you can't email the pictures
> without spending more money on a cable and software.
>
> Why not get a phone for $50 and spend the $200 on a nice digital
> camera?
>
> --
> Posted at SprintUsers.com - Your place for everything Sprint PCS
> Free wireless access @ www.SprintUsers.com/wap
>