do i need an unlocked phone

destroyed my cell phone but have a contract for another year so looking to buy a replacement. Looking for advice -
Can i buy any cdma phone, does it need to be unlocked, if i bought a Bell phone does it need to be unlocked?

---

› See More: do i need an unlocked phone

If you buy a Bell phone, make sure the ESN is free and clear (if buying used).

You HAVE to buy a Bell phone, any other CDMA phone they won't / can't activate.

thanks

My bell 600 treo is damaged (droping calls) (it's 3yrs old)

I have a (6 month old) Verizon 650 treo (I'm not using) so I paid to have it unlocked......

Why can't bell make the switch for me??
I've talked to the kids at the bell store (I think their computer has a block to prevent them making the change...

Do I have to by a third treo??

Bell won't do it, because of how Bell does the preferred roaming list (PRL). They can't easily get their PRL into your phone and thus can't control how much you roam on Telus etc. Also, you may not get proper coverage in the US because Verizon's service might roam on carriers Bell won't roam on.

With GSM the roaming list is in the SIM card, not the phone, so the carriers don't care if you use other phones. With CDMA it's in the phone, so it's a different matter entirely.

Choose CDMA because of the coverage area and price for the service, not the phone flexibility.

That and CDMA phones have properitary (sp?) lock codes in them that ONLY Verizon will know and will not give to Bell. Without the lock code, one is not able to re-program the phone with a new phone number.

Originally Posted by _Abom_

That and CDMA phones have properitary (sp?) lock codes in them that ONLY Verizon will know and will not give to Bell. Without the lock code, one is not able to re-program the phone with a new phone number.

Lock codes are not proprietary. I think you meant to say unique.

In a certain sense, Verizon will be the only carrier to know their handset lockcodes, however a new U.S ammendment of this year (2007) was passed which required all U.S carriers to provide any codes or passwords and work arounds which prevented anyone from accessing the entire phone including the firmware. This includes the Subsidy lock code, and access to the phones boot loader. Bell won't be able to obtain the codes, because they have no if not limited knowledge of Verizon's practices etc.. The end user will have to be the one to request the Subsidy code from Verizon.

However, this is not the only reason why the policy was enacted by Bell or any other carrier for that matter, that uses CDMA technology. It has nothing to do with lock codes, but moreso compatibility between the handset and the network, and of course the firmware on the phone.

This incompatibilty (even though it is very possible to make it compatible) incurs high costs especially in the support department as any number of users are calling in about why certain features of their cellphone are not working. Despite all efforts of any level of tech support, the matter is not resolved, only later realizing that the person was using a Sprint Branded phone on their network. (personal experience).


If your interested in selling your treo (that you don't use). Give me a shout with the price.

Perhaps in the USA providers HAVE to give the subsidy lock codes, but here in Canada, they certainly do not. So I guess proprietary in Canada