question about switching phone

I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
(Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.

I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably stored
on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:

1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
unlock it?

2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone functions?

---

› See More: question about switching phone

1. No
2. No

Agunat

"Freewheeling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
> (Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
> mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
> appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
> The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
> malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
> almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.
>
> I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
> the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably stored
> on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:
>
> 1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
> prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
> unlock it?
>
> 2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
> was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
> minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
> course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
> there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
> capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
> does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone
> functions?
>

Fred wrote:
> 1. No
> 2. No
>
> Agunat
>
> "Freewheeling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
>> (Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
>> mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
>> appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
>> The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
>> malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
>> almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
>> the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably stored
>> on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:
>>
>> 1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
>> prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
>> unlock it?
>>
>> 2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
>> was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
>> minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
>> course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
>> there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
>> capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
>> does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone
>> functions?
>>
>
>
I wonder if someone could provide a more complete, or at least a more
considerate, answer? As a general rule a one word response to a complex
or carefully worded question on usenet used to be considered rather
inconsiderate, but apart from that just a little research on the
internet suggests that Fred may well be wrong. In the first place Fred
didn't deign to answer whether the LG phone was locked in the first
place, let alone whether it was unlockable, rendering the single word
"No" rather inscrutible. Second, I asked a series of questions in the
second part suggesting that Sim cards might be encrypted, and got no
answer, or anything suggesting that Fred even knew the answer. (Or what
the question meant, for that matter.) Again, the response seemed sort
of smartass to me, so I have no reason to believe it definitive.

Can I use this phone on another network? If so, how?

If not, why is it possible to unlock some phones and not others, and why
are some phones locked and others aren't?

Fred wrote:
> 1. No
> 2. No
>
> Agunat

Agunat, Fred, whatever:

You seem to categorically rule out the possibility that the Cingular
phone can be unlocked, yet this service called Travel Insider, located
near Seattle,

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roa...gunlocking.htm

seems to indicate that they'll do the job for $25 on an LG phone like
mine. Are they just a scam, attempting to take my money and my phone
(which would be the implication of your categorical response) or is it
possible you're wrong? Assuming, of course, that a single word response
is even a response.

>
> "Freewheeling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
>> (Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
>> mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
>> appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
>> The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
>> malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
>> almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
>> the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably stored
>> on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:
>>
>> 1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
>> prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
>> unlock it?
>>
>> 2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
>> was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
>> minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
>> course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
>> there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
>> capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
>> does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone
>> functions?
>>
>
>

Freewheeling wrote:
> Fred wrote:
>> 1. No
>> 2. No
>>
>> Agunat
>>
>> "Freewheeling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
>>> (Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
>>> mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
>>> appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
>>> The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
>>> malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
>>> almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
>>> the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably stored
>>> on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:
>>>
>>> 1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
>>> prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
>>> unlock it?
>>>
>>> 2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
>>> was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
>>> minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
>>> course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
>>> there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
>>> capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
>>> does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone
>>> functions?
>>>
>>
>>
> I wonder if someone could provide a more complete, or at least a more
> considerate, answer? As a general rule a one word response to a complex
> or carefully worded question on usenet used to be considered rather
> inconsiderate, but apart from that just a little research on the
> internet suggests that Fred may well be wrong. In the first place Fred
> didn't deign to answer whether the LG phone was locked in the first
> place, let alone whether it was unlockable, rendering the single word
> "No" rather inscrutible. Second, I asked a series of questions in the
> second part suggesting that Sim cards might be encrypted, and got no
> answer, or anything suggesting that Fred even knew the answer. (Or what
> the question meant, for that matter.) Again, the response seemed sort
> of smartass to me, so I have no reason to believe it definitive.
>
> Can I use this phone on another network? If so, how?
>
> If not, why is it possible to unlock some phones and not others, and why
> are some phones locked and others aren't?
You can unlock your phone from Cingular at iunlock.com, but doubt you'll
be able to use with your old service if it was not GSM. Locus does have
GSM service on their website, but you would have to switch to GSM
service and they will sell you a Sim card that they will program-it is
not something you do yourself...

Mike M wrote:
> Freewheeling wrote:
>> Fred wrote:
>>> 1. No
>>> 2. No
>>>
>>> Agunat
>>>
>>> "Freewheeling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> I've been using an old (ancient) Nokia phone with a prepaid network
>>>> (Locus) for a number of years. I don't use the cell phone much, and
>>>> mainly just keep it for emergencies and to coordinate with people at
>>>> appointments and on trips. The cost is only about $3 to $6 per month.
>>>> The problem is that this old Nokia (Model 5160i) has been
>>>> malfunctioning, so is no longer reliable. I recently acquired an
>>>> almost-new LG C2000 that was being used on the Cingular network.
>>>>
>>>> I'm pretty sure the old Nokia didn't have anything like a Sim card, but
>>>> the PIN number and other basic activation information is probably
>>>> stored
>>>> on the unit itself. So I basically have two questions:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Can I "unlock" the LG C2000 Cingular phone so I can use it on the
>>>> prepaid Locus network? If so, of course: How? Or do I even need to
>>>> unlock it?
>>>>
>>>> 2. Can I purchase and program my own Sim Card with the information that
>>>> was on the Nokia in order to switch the phone number and remaining
>>>> minutes (as well as activation info) over to the LG phone? And, of
>>>> course, if so: How? Is the info on the Sim encrypted somehow, or is
>>>> there a specific file structure that one has to use? Does the memory
>>>> capacity of the card matter for these basic functions, and what role
>>>> does memory capacity play if I intend to use just the basic phone
>>>> functions?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I wonder if someone could provide a more complete, or at least a more
>> considerate, answer? As a general rule a one word response to a
>> complex or carefully worded question on usenet used to be considered
>> rather inconsiderate, but apart from that just a little research on
>> the internet suggests that Fred may well be wrong. In the first place
>> Fred didn't deign to answer whether the LG phone was locked in the
>> first place, let alone whether it was unlockable, rendering the single
>> word "No" rather inscrutible. Second, I asked a series of questions
>> in the second part suggesting that Sim cards might be encrypted, and
>> got no answer, or anything suggesting that Fred even knew the answer.
>> (Or what the question meant, for that matter.) Again, the response
>> seemed sort of smartass to me, so I have no reason to believe it
>> definitive.
>>
>> Can I use this phone on another network? If so, how?
>>
>> If not, why is it possible to unlock some phones and not others, and
>> why are some phones locked and others aren't?
> You can unlock your phone from Cingular at iunlock.com, but doubt you'll
> be able to use with your old service if it was not GSM. Locus does have
> GSM service on their website, but you would have to switch to GSM
> service and they will sell you a Sim card that they will program-it is
> not something you do yourself...

Thanks, that about covers it. I'll give them a call.

At 25 Dec 2006 22:37:21 -0500 Freewheeling wrote:

> Agunat, Fred, whatever:
>
> You seem to categorically rule out the possibility that the Cingular
> phone can be unlocked, yet this service called Travel Insider, located
> near Seattle,
>
> http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roa...gunlocking.htm
>
> seems to indicate that they'll do the job for $25 on an LG phone like
> mine. Are they just a scam, attempting to take my money and my phone
> (which would be the implication of your categorical response) or is it
> possible you're wrong? Assuming, of course, that a single word
response
> is even a response.
>

To paraphrase Douglas Adams, "Mostly no."

The problem isn't unlocking the phone- you could (but probably don't have
to.)

The problem is you have a grandfathered Locus TDMA account and your LG is
a GSM phone. You can't use the LG on your current Locus service so the
"unlocking" issue is moot.

Locus is a reseller of both Cingular TDMA and GSM service, but Cingular
handles the two systems differently. You'd need to get a GSM SIM and
service plan to continue service with Locus, and the monthly rate is
higher for GSM (Locus negotiated the TDMA rates with AT&T before Cingular
bought out AT&T Wireless, and Cingular's reseller rates are higher.)

Of course nothing forces you to stay with Locus- the cheapest Cingular
reseller (per month for minimal users) is "Speakout Wireless" available
only at 7-11 convenience stores. ($25 for 1 year.) They don't sell SIMs
alone, however, so you need to buy their cheapest phone to start service.
Since they are a Cingular reseller, your LG would work without unlocking
it, assuming it's a better phone than whatever low-end Nokia 7-11 sells
you. You could move the SIM into any Cingular phone (or unlocked phone.)

So, while my post was not a one-word response, the answer to your
original question is still "no."

Now, for the interim, you could buy a cheap TDMA phone at Goodwill or on
eBay and move your Locus account to it, but Cingular currently intends to
shut down those accounts sometime in early 2007, so your Locus account
will be history in a few months anyway. Check with Locus and see if they
have a special deals for conversion- Beyond Wireless (a company, that
like Locus, is a Cingular reseller) is offering free SIMs to it's TDMA
customers and transferring account balances (and phone numbers) to the
free SIM. The "catch" of course, is that the accounts now follow the GSM
expiration date rules and cost $7.50/month minimum, whereas their TDMA
accounts had no expiration date- I have several I've had for years, and
many still have some of their original airtime on them.

Lastly, you could look into PagePlus, a Verizon reseller. You'll need a
CDMA phone (Verizon uses CDMA technology, not GSM) but they have a
$2.50/month minimum.

Todd Allcock wrote:
> At 25 Dec 2006 22:37:21 -0500 Freewheeling wrote:
>
>> Agunat, Fred, whatever:
>>
>> You seem to categorically rule out the possibility that the Cingular
>> phone can be unlocked, yet this service called Travel Insider, located
>> near Seattle,
>>
>> http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roa...gunlocking.htm
>>
>> seems to indicate that they'll do the job for $25 on an LG phone like
>> mine. Are they just a scam, attempting to take my money and my phone
>> (which would be the implication of your categorical response) or is it
>> possible you're wrong? Assuming, of course, that a single word
> response
>> is even a response.
>>
>
> To paraphrase Douglas Adams, "Mostly no."
>
> The problem isn't unlocking the phone- you could (but probably don't have
> to.)
>
> The problem is you have a grandfathered Locus TDMA account and your LG is
> a GSM phone. You can't use the LG on your current Locus service so the
> "unlocking" issue is moot.
>
> Locus is a reseller of both Cingular TDMA and GSM service, but Cingular
> handles the two systems differently. You'd need to get a GSM SIM and
> service plan to continue service with Locus, and the monthly rate is
> higher for GSM (Locus negotiated the TDMA rates with AT&T before Cingular
> bought out AT&T Wireless, and Cingular's reseller rates are higher.)
>
> Of course nothing forces you to stay with Locus- the cheapest Cingular
> reseller (per month for minimal users) is "Speakout Wireless" available
> only at 7-11 convenience stores. ($25 for 1 year.) They don't sell SIMs
> alone, however, so you need to buy their cheapest phone to start service.
> Since they are a Cingular reseller, your LG would work without unlocking
> it, assuming it's a better phone than whatever low-end Nokia 7-11 sells
> you. You could move the SIM into any Cingular phone (or unlocked phone.)
>
> So, while my post was not a one-word response, the answer to your
> original question is still "no."
>
> Now, for the interim, you could buy a cheap TDMA phone at Goodwill or on
> eBay and move your Locus account to it, but Cingular currently intends to
> shut down those accounts sometime in early 2007, so your Locus account
> will be history in a few months anyway. Check with Locus and see if they
> have a special deals for conversion- Beyond Wireless (a company, that
> like Locus, is a Cingular reseller) is offering free SIMs to it's TDMA
> customers and transferring account balances (and phone numbers) to the
> free SIM. The "catch" of course, is that the accounts now follow the GSM
> expiration date rules and cost $7.50/month minimum, whereas their TDMA
> accounts had no expiration date- I have several I've had for years, and
> many still have some of their original airtime on them.
>
> Lastly, you could look into PagePlus, a Verizon reseller. You'll need a
> CDMA phone (Verizon uses CDMA technology, not GSM) but they have a
> $2.50/month minimum.
>
>
Thanks for all the information! I decided to get on a family plan with
Cingular, which is more expensive than the old Locus account but
probably more versatile. (Costs about $10/mo, so not a bad tradeoff.)
The problem was that they wouldn't let me keep my old number because it
"belonged" to a different market. That is, I could have kept the old
number but not if I wanted onto the family plan. So I just got a new
number in a different area code. Oh well.

I'm not terribly impressed with the LG, so might eventually get a
different phone. The sound and reception aren't impressive. In fact,
the sounds isn't as good as my old Nokia and I don't think the reception
is either, though that's hard to judge.

Again, thanks for the advice. I'll save your post somewhere in case I
want a different setup. Good to know that the phone finally gave out
around the same time that they planned to discontinue that sort of service.