Unlocking Moto V551

I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the Moto
V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
manage to persuade them?

Failing that, has anyone successfully been able to unlock their phone using
one of the commercial services? How risky is that route?

Finally, has anyone successfully been able to activate an unlocked phone
purchased from overseas on Cingular?

I intend to stay with Cingular for a long time. I would just like to find a
workable solution for my particular needs.

Thanks in advance.

Sahar

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› See More: Unlocking Moto V551

Sahar Shafqat Wrote:
> I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the
> Moto
> V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an
> unlocked
> phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches
> of
> time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone
> had
> any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did
> you
> manage to persuade them?
>
> Failing that, has anyone successfully been able to unlock their phone
> using
> one of the commercial services? How risky is that route?
>
> Finally, has anyone successfully been able to activate an unlocked
> phone
> purchased from overseas on Cingular?
>
> I intend to stay with Cingular for a long time. I would just like to
> find a
> workable solution for my particular needs.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Sahar

Check out Celluloco.com for unlocked phones. Or there is
http://www.unlocktotalk.com to unlock a locked phone.

I use an unlocked phone around the world with different SIMs all the
time. I got mine 2 years ago thru Celluloco.com but its a V66i and I
wanted a new one, so I thought about getting a Cingular subsidized one
then have the local http://www.unlocktotalk.com person do it.

For example, I wanted a Moto Razor which was 199.00 thru Cingluar then
I think $25 to have it unlocked. Or Celluloco sells it unlocked from
the manufacture for 299.00. But its less hassle since it comes ready
to go.


--
wpbear

In article <[email protected]>,
Sahar Shafqat <[email protected]> wrote:
>I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the Moto
>V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
>phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
>time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
>any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
>manage to persuade them?

Pay full retail so they have no financial interest (subsidy) in the phone.
Maintain an account in good standing.
Choose a country where they have no roaming partners, and tell them you
will be travelling there.


Or ... buy an unlocked phone from a dealer or eBay merchant, and use it
with the SIM card you get when you open your account.

>Finally, has anyone successfully been able to activate an unlocked phone
>purchased from overseas on Cingular?

There is no such thing as "activating" your phone. The SIM card ***IS***
your account, and you can transfer it to the phone of your choice without
notifying or needing intervention from Cingular.

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on Thu, 3 Nov 2005 04:32:15 -0500,
"Sahar Shafqat" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the Moto
>V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
>phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
>time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
>any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
>manage to persuade them?

Cingular policy is to not unlock phones, but it does make exceptions on a
case-by-case basis. Keep calling back. Ask for "Escalations". Who you get
at Cingular matters a great deal. Make it clear that you need the unlocking
so that you can use your phone overseas. Expect it not to be unlocked for at
least the first 30 days, and then only if your account has been maintained in
good standing.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

Many thanks for all the advice!

Sahar

"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <[email protected]> on Thu, 3 Nov 2005
> 04:32:15 -0500,
> "Sahar Shafqat" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the
>>Moto
>>V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
>>phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
>>time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
>>any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
>>manage to persuade them?
>
> Cingular policy is to not unlock phones, but it does make exceptions on a
> case-by-case basis. Keep calling back. Ask for "Escalations". Who you
> get
> at Cingular matters a great deal. Make it clear that you need the
> unlocking
> so that you can use your phone overseas. Expect it not to be unlocked for
> at
> least the first 30 days, and then only if your account has been maintained
> in
> good standing.
>
> --
> Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <[email protected]> on Thu, 3 Nov 2005
04:32:15 -0500,
> "Sahar Shafqat" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the
Moto
> >V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
> >phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
> >time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
> >any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
> >manage to persuade them?
>
> Cingular policy is to not unlock phones, but it does make exceptions on a
> case-by-case basis. Keep calling back. Ask for "Escalations". Who you
get
> at Cingular matters a great deal. Make it clear that you need the
unlocking
> so that you can use your phone overseas. Expect it not to be unlocked for
at
> least the first 30 days, and then only if your account has been maintained
in
> good standing.
>
> --
> Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

This solution may in fact be a viable one. However, it is also interesting
to remember that Cingular and most other companies do monitor the number of
times that a customer calls in to the customer care department. A part of
data tracking on the customer care department. Anyway, I am under the
impression that if you call in too many times for the same thing and appear
to be - rep. shopping - that you will - at some point - and no I don't know
the number - politely asked to stop being a Cingular customer.

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on Fri, 04 Nov 2005 07:10:50
GMT, "Cliff" <[email protected]> wrote:

>... However, it is also interesting
>to remember that Cingular and most other companies do monitor the number of
>times that a customer calls in to the customer care department. A part of
>data tracking on the customer care department. Anyway, I am under the
>impression that if you call in too many times for the same thing and appear
>to be - rep. shopping - that you will - at some point - and no I don't know
>the number - politely asked to stop being a Cingular customer.

With all due respect, I seriously doubt that.
--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

I doubt that too. I called Verizon 10 times in one day to have them
cancel my contract without an early termination fee and they
stonewalled me everytime until I got to a guy that seemed pretty cool.
I asked him what kind of notes I had on my account and he said it was
amazing how much was written. However, they never once hinted that
they didn't want me to be a customer -- unless you consider lying to me
to be a hint-- Just call until you get someone that can help you. I
think getting the codes off of the internet might be easier though.

While stranded on information super highway John Navas wrote:
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <[email protected]> on Thu, 3 Nov 2005 04:32:15 -0500,
> "Sahar Shafqat" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the Moto
>>V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an unlocked
>>phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long stretches of
>>time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me; has anyone had
>>any success in having Cingular do this for them, and if so, how did you
>>manage to persuade them?
>
> Cingular policy is to not unlock phones, but it does make exceptions on a
> case-by-case basis. Keep calling back. Ask for "Escalations". Who you get
> at Cingular matters a great deal. Make it clear that you need the unlocking
> so that you can use your phone overseas. Expect it not to be unlocked for at
> least the first 30 days, and then only if your account has been maintained in
> good standing.
>
> --
> Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>


cingular will not do it, but they may recommend other authorized dealer
who would do it. I have been thinking about switching to cingular so I
visited the store nearby. The sales guy was very helpful, and when I
asked about unlocking the phone since I may be going to India and
Phillipines (for work), he gave me printed brochure of the authorized
dealer nearby (along with directions to the store) who would inlock the
phone for $20.00.

Many authorized dealers will unlock it for you for a fee.


--
Hemant Shah /"\ ASCII ribbon campaign
E-mail: [email protected] \ / ---------------------
X against HTML mail
TO REPLY, REMOVE NoJunkMail / \ and postings
FROM MY E-MAIL ADDRESS.
-----------------[DO NOT SEND UNSOLICITED BULK E-MAIL]------------------
I haven't lost my mind, Above opinions are mine only.
it's backed up on tape somewhere. Others can have their own.

Sahar Shafqat <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am planning to switch to Cingular from Verizon, and am looking at the
> Moto V551. I have a few questions so please bear with me. I need an
> unlocked phone because I know I will be overseas next year for long
> stretches of time. Cingular says they will not unlock my phone for me;

Cingular might not immediately unlock a phone for a new customer. I bought
a V551 from Cingular in July. They sent the unlock code to me via email
when I requested it in November. I am new to Cingular, but I was with
Redwood/Cellular One/AT&T for several years before getting the Cingular
contract.

> Failing that, has anyone successfully been able to unlock their phone using
> one of the commercial services? How risky is that route?

I didn't, but my co-worker had his Cingular phone unlocked at a place near
work for $20. He has used his phone overseas with other SIMs.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

My experience is totally different. I bought the 551 earlier this year (I
have been a Cingular customer for years) and called the 800-number. I told
them I would be traveling overseas and would be using a local SIM card.
They gave me an unlock code about 10 seconds later - and warned me that the
phone would give me 5 chances to unlock itself - so be sure I keyed in the
number properly.

Couldn't have been easier. I use it overseas all the time.

Ted
>
>
> cingular will not do it, but they may recommend other authorized
> dealer who would do it. I have been thinking about switching to
> cingular so I visited the store nearby. The sales guy was very
> helpful, and when I asked about unlocking the phone since I may be
> going to India and Phillipines (for work), he gave me printed brochure
> of the authorized dealer nearby (along with directions to the store)
> who would inlock the phone for $20.00.
>
> Many authorized dealers will unlock it for you for a fee.
>
>