Okay, I was on a family plan for years with T-Mobile. Recently, my father, the primary account holder passed away. Paying the bill went to the wayside and my phone got shut off. Now, I've been trying to pay them in a way that will get my phone back on. They are being beyond unreasonable. I had a horrible experience with customer care and I am planning on no longer being a T-Mobile customer.
Here's my question:
Once I tell T-Mobile to go **** themselves, they will give my GSIII a bad ESN. If I unlock the phone, can I, in good conscience, sell the phone to, say, an AT&T customer?
I have no desire to screw over a T-Mobile customer by giving them a phone with a bad ESN. Since the hardware is identical, if I unlock it and flash an AT&T radio, would an AT&T customer be good to go?
Yes, you could unlock the phone and use it on AT&T. They won't get 4G LTE on AT&T but still get HSPA+ speeds on it.
Gotcha. So, the hardware is not exactly identical then? I just want to know what to put in the ad.
T-Mobile uses an MSM8260A which is the same SoC as the AT&T version MINUS LTE. So other than LTE, the T999 will work just fine on AT&T. The i747 will NOT work on T-Mobile though.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Would I be correct in assuming that it would NOT work for Boost, Straight Talk or anything else that uses TMob's towers?
Straight talk also has the att lines.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Any GSM carrier will work on it once unlocked. They do have dual core processors. Is just that they use different frequency bands to connect to 4G.
First of all, I am truly sorry about your loss. Second, they may not tell you this, but you are under no obligation to honor a contract with T-Mobile that you have not entered. Of course this assumes no other agreement between you and T-Mobile and that the phone was not on some kind of installment plan. Otherwise, the phone is yours, and you have not violated the terms of any contract, therefore they should not "flag" your IMEI (what you meant by ESN). Technically, they certainly could flag it, but I would immediately call their customer service, explain the situation to them, and ensure that they clarify the EXACT reason for flagging your IMEI. Now, none of this means that they cannot cut off your service for non-payment.
Seriously, thank you for the awesome replies. Am I really on an xda thread?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Sleef said:
Seriously, thank you for the awesome replies. Am I really on an xda thread?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you weed through the trolls some of us are here to help
Sent from my SGH-T999
Related
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/mob/3031575517.html
theres a really cheap nexus and i am wondering if it is worth buying, idk what a "bad ESN" is but if it software problem, can it be fixed?
Bad esn= no Verizon for you. Means someone either lost/stole/didn't pay their bill on the phone
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Could mean a lot of things. it could be stolen, or he may just be overdue on the sprint bill. I would obtain the esn from the seller and contact sprint to see what the issue is. It may be something you can take care of, it may not be. If not, you can flash to another carrier.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
I mean sprint. Sorry was just responding from the "bad esn" part
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
alright thanks guys! very helpful!
It can only be flashed to another carrier if you have the software ans know how to do so. I don't think anyone at all is flashing their Galaxy nexus so it can't be flashed. I would stay away from anything that says "bad ESN" it is most likely stolen. Especially on Craigslist.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
ESN (Electronic Serial Number) is the CDMA equivalent of GSM's IMEI number. It's unique to each phone. It allows carriers to 'lock' out a phone that has been stolen or is unpaid.
Basically, the phone is either stolen or not completely paid for. I believe it's a federal offense to reprogram/flash a new ESN on a phone.
Unless you can get the ESN and talk to sprint about releasing the phone *before* the purchase, stay away.
joshnichols189 said:
It can only be flashed to another carrier if you have the software ans know how to do so. I don't think anyone at all is flashing their Galaxy nexus so it can't be flashed. I would stay away from anything that says "bad ESN" it is most likely stolen. Especially on Craigslist.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Yes. I want aware of any method to flash the gnex from one carrier to another but I've got a gsm version, so I've never concerned myself with it.
Like I said, try to call sprint if you can obtain the esn from seller. If they tell you it is as simple as a past due bill, find out how much. May be worth it to pay it off since phone so cheap. If stolen or lost obviously report it to authorities.
If it is a past due Bill you decide to pay off, I would have seller meet you @ sprint store to exchange so you can make sure it is good to go before you accept it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
thos25 said:
Yes. I want aware of any method to flash the gnex from one carrier to another but I've got a gsm version, so I've never concerned myself with it.
Like I said, try to call sprint if you can obtain the esn from seller. If they tell you it is as simple as a past due bill, find out how much. May be worth it to pay it off since phone so cheap. If stolen or lost obviously report it to authorities.
If it is a past due Bill you decide to pay off, I would have seller meet you @ sprint store to exchange so you can make sure it is good to go before you accept it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
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Click to collapse
I highly doubt it is a past due bill.. if it is it is probably huge as if it was like $100 the guy could just pay the $100 and sell the device for more..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
If you buy the phone with the bad ESN and it turns out to be reported stolen, you then have possession of stolen property... they would probably confiscate it and question you..
I know that my Sprint Gnexus would not work so I would have to buy new phones. But for those that have switched to Straight talk from Sprint. Are you glad you did? Have you ran into issues with using to much data? Do you find yourself with out voice coverage often? I was told that you are not able to roam on ST it would just say no service. If you leave a reply please let me know how long you have been using Straight Talk and if you don't mind what state you are using the service in. I will be using mine in Oklahoma.
I want to know as well because I plan to do the same when my contract runs out. I'm in Oklahoma as well at Fort Sill.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
You're right you don't get roaming, but you get about 99% of the AT&T footprint for coverage, as well as T-Mobile's voice coverage because ST operates on both networks, so you shouldn't have to worry about anything. That's a bigger footprint than Sprint nowadays.
I'd take a read through the Prepaid Thread, there's a ton of testimonial and questions asked/answered in there.
Sprint Conquer 4G to Straight Talk
mainstang said:
I know that my Sprint Gnexus would not work so I would have to buy new phones. But for those that have switched to Straight talk from Sprint. Are you glad you did? Have you ran into issues with using to much data? Do you find yourself with out voice coverage often? I was told that you are not able to roam on ST it would just say no service. If you leave a reply please let me know how long you have been using Straight Talk and if you don't mind what state you are using the service in. I will be using mine in Oklahoma.
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Click to collapse
I have the phone unlocked and spc wrote to 0's. I have apn settings for all other phones on straight talks bring your phone. I am wondering how to get it activated the rewst of the way. Is there anyone that would remote me with teamviewer to possibly help me get this thing all the way flashed? Id love to contribute to whomever wants to put forth effort. thanks in advance.
mainstang said:
I know that my Sprint Gnexus would not work so I would have to buy new phones. But for those that have switched to Straight talk from Sprint. Are you glad you did? Have you ran into issues with using to much data? Do you find yourself with out voice coverage often? I was told that you are not able to roam on ST it would just say no service. If you leave a reply please let me know how long you have been using Straight Talk and if you don't mind what state you are using the service in. I will be using mine in Oklahoma.
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Click to collapse
I use Straight Talk on my Gnex. I came from Verizon not Sprint but I figure they are pretty close. Im more than glad I did because I save about 50$ a month on cell service. I've never had any issues with using too much data. Although I've heard that they cap you out at about 2gb. I've never found myself without service on a trip or just ridding around. I live in Georgia and I've been as far as NC. No roaming or dropped signal. I think as long as you are in a metro area I think you will be fine. $45 a month compared to $90 i was paying with Verizon for basically the same service cant be beat.
I'm trying to do the same thing with my samsung conquer in the process I have gotten it unlocked and service programming code written to zero. After this some programming methods and activation through qpst software needs to be applied. This method should be quite similar with your sprint phone.
Sent from my SPH-D600 using Tapatalk 2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36410024
I'd suggest reading my recent experiences with limitations and throttling practices on straight talk before switching.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
clockcycle said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36410024
I'd suggest reading my recent experiences with limitations and throttling practices on straight talk before switching.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I can always flash back to cricket however, I have paid a month ahead because my data is now gone as well its not truly unlimited. Its not even insufficient towers or network its just bureaucratic crap infiltrated by dotheads but I just wanted to get the service on the conquer and then most likely xfer to cricket. Because of what I totally agree about what you are saying
Sent from my SPH-D600 using Tapatalk 2
I have a tmo blue gs3, and a att white gs3, I have both services, contract ends with tmo in 10 days, I want to unlock the blue tmo to use with att, anyone have any ideas?
I could swap the att mb to the tmo, but I will use that as a last resort.
I like the blue phone look better.
Thanks for any help.
TheAxman said:
I have a tmo blue gs3, and a att white gs3, I have both services, contract ends with tmo in 10 days, I want to unlock the blue tmo to use with att, anyone have any ideas?
I could swap the att mb to the tmo, but I will use that as a last resort.
I like the blue phone look better.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just call T-Mobile and tell them you need an unlock code for travel to another country. They will give you the code for free.
From my understanding the T-Mobile SG3 does not have LTE ability. The phone will still work on AT&T but at slower speeds then your current AT&T SG3.
Unnoticeable slower speed if you don't test the speed.
But yes call T-Mobile and unlock it asap
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Like everyone else says, T-Mobile will give you an unlock code. But on a side note, how many "unlock sgh-t999" threads does there have to be? jw..
Actually, I did read that I could call tmo, and after reading, alot of people were talking that they did not do that any longer, I will give it a shot, thanks to all that helped.
TheAxman said:
Actually, I did read that I could call tmo, and after reading, alot of people were talking that they did not do that any longer, I will give it a shot, thanks to all that helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats a lie, the reps are just lazy.
Use tmobile chat...takes 5 minutes and they'll email you the code within 24hrs. Just unlocked mine a couple weeks ago.
Teo032 said:
thats a lie, the reps are just lazy.
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Click to collapse
I thought they had to by law? I could be wrong though.
I'd recommend calling them.
A good reasoned argument with a lazy rep usually gets you what you want.
Like everybody else, call the rep and they will send it to your email even though you are still in contract. I was able to request my phone to be unlocked after having 2 months subscribed in TMO. And I still able to have them unlock my new S3 phone. No provider can beat that. Try it
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
To be lazy by law?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
google wins:
If you have a Postpaid Plan, T-Mobile will provide the SIM Unlock Code upon request to eligible customers, provided the requesting customer has a minimum of 40 days of active service with T-Mobile and did not request a Subsidy unlock code in the last 90 days.
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588
assuming you fall into one of those categories
(worked the same way for me with some off contract iph4's with ATT)
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I had one of my two lines with sprint frozen starting in Oct. since I wouldn't be using it. They do this for military all the time. My upgrade for that line was supposed to be in Nov. I was planning on giving that upgrade to my brother on my other line since I won't be using for a while But the funny thing is, Sprint completely dropped my line within days of me getting the upgrade and now... No upgrade. I'm sure that I can call and complain to them till they fix it. But maybe it's a better idea to just load T-Mobile onto this phone and try out the pay as you go deal. Anyone here have any reasons for me to stay with Sprint? Or know any of the benefits of switching? I'm just interested in what any of your opinions are on this. Thanks!
Tmo uses sim card. You could go with boost if you research how to flash a boost rom in the development section, plus you'll still have wimax as well.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Oops My bad. Boost, not tmobile. I've never been able to use 4G because of the areas I've lived in but that is a plus to still be able to use it. Thanks gatesmarch123.
T-Mobile means you could get the Nexus 4. Nexus 4 = Worldwide quad-band radio frequencies. Pop in a sim from another country if needed and you're gold.
Edit: My bad, just saw you meant Boost
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
eko3484 said:
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I had one of my two lines with sprint frozen starting in Oct. since I wouldn't be using it. They do this for military all the time. My upgrade for that line was supposed to be in Nov. I was planning on giving that upgrade to my brother on my other line since I won't be using for a while But the funny thing is, Sprint completely dropped my line within days of me getting the upgrade and now... No upgrade. I'm sure that I can call and complain to them till they fix it. But maybe it's a better idea to just load T-Mobile onto this phone and try out the pay as you go deal. Anyone here have any reasons for me to stay with Sprint? Or know any of the benefits of switching? I'm just interested in what any of your opinions are on this. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your service!
I agree with the post above. Mighrt be a good way to get the Nexus 4 on t-mobile.
I like the phone I have a lot, but I know that Nexus devices are great and I am up for trying out any service provider (Besides ATT of course!). Thanks for the advice. Since I'll be traveling a lot, a Worldwide quad-band phone sounds good
eko3484 said:
I like the phone I have a lot, but I know that Nexus devices are great and I am up for trying out any service provider (Besides ATT of course!). Thanks for the advice. Since I'll be traveling a lot, a Worldwide quad-band phone sounds good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, with the little experience I had with Straight Talk prepaid service, it was great. I had an S3 on it and the service was very good. Best of all they have an unlimited plan including international service for $60 a month prepaid. If you're up for trying new things, wouldn't hurt to try Straight Talk for a month. I mean if you don't like it, the Nexus 4 can be used with any carrier that uses SIM cards. So you have plenty of options.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Hmmm... T-mobile is sounding preeetty good to me. I'm liking the Nexus 4 too.
You could flash to cricket, really simple to do and you don't need a donor phone like you would flashing to boost.
That's a good idea too premise. Cricket is getting somewhat popular where I live. I can do that and have a really nice back up phone or give it to someone. I really do love the Epic 4g Touch. But I really think that I am going to try out T-mobile and get the Nexus 4. I can get the 16gb version for 350 directly from Google. Anyone know any other good deals?
Speaking from experience, Sprint has the tenancy to anger their customers.
That seems to be true haha they do what they want with your line that you PAY for. But still, AT&T is the worst. They want $800 to cancel my wife's line even with my deployment orders + we do not get service where I live. I guess I will have to take care of it in person when I get home in 7 months. Not cool at all.
eko3484 said:
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I had one of my two lines with sprint frozen starting in Oct. since I wouldn't be using it. They do this for military all the time. My upgrade for that line was supposed to be in Nov. I was planning on giving that upgrade to my brother on my other line since I won't be using for a while But the funny thing is, Sprint completely dropped my line within days of me getting the upgrade and now... No upgrade. I'm sure that I can call and complain to them till they fix it. But maybe it's a better idea to just load T-Mobile onto this phone and try out the pay as you go deal. Anyone here have any reasons for me to stay with Sprint? Or know any of the benefits of switching? I'm just interested in what any of your opinions are on this. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read you are thinking of T-Mobile Here are some links that can be helpful.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Nexus-4-is-now-in-stock-with-T-Mobile-200-on-contract_id37062
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=Google-Nexus-4
I don't suggest straight talk if AT&T don't get good service where you live. T-Mobile might be your best option.
And thank you for the services you provide so I can enjoy everything I do!
Thanks for the links man! I am def getting the Nexus 4. Not sure if I want to get it from T-mobile though. That phone is just too good to pass up! And hopefully get the Nexus 7 tablet for Christmas and slap Ubuntu onto it
No problem. Thank you for the service. It means a lot to me!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
http://www.tmonews.com/2013/07/investor-sees-t-mobile-as-takeover-target-for-dish-network-sprint/
I honestly don't want either to take over. But if I had to choose, I'd choose dish.
With me just coming from Sprint I have this to say
You would have to shoot me in the face to get me to ever give another penny to Sprint. Their 3g data speeds are horrific in most places (even in places that have network vision dine, it's just "meh" speed, still sub par) I could never get above a 20 kb/s download rate. Not to mention how much more expensive they are with their plans (when I was with then, I had the cheapest available, 450 min and unlimited everything else for 69.99 a month.) Back in the day, Sprint could compete, but they let their towers become dated and do to little to late when they finally do decide to do something about it. Not to mention hour they boned their wimax phone buyers.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Rather it be Dish than Sprint. Had a 4g phone since wimax came out... then LTE.... Still no 4g in Savannah. I said goodbye to them when the S4 came out and switched to tmo. Got them to cancel the early termination fee because of the past few years of bad service in the entire Southeast area of GA and SC. Took a week of convincing.
Then Tmo: It was instant "oh this is what 4g is like!" Roommate is still getting 10-100 KILObytes on Sprint, while I'm getting 15-26mb on Tmo. Suck it Sprint.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
You realize that if sprint took over they would use t mobiles existing network, right?
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Skipjacks said:
You realize that if sprint took over they would use t mobiles existing network, right?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
And with what money is Sprint buying anyone, TMo isn't exactly Virgin Mobile.
Skipjacks said:
You realize that if sprint took over they would use t mobiles existing network, right?
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Click to collapse
Lol yes. Very well aware. Different tech. It's just the thought of being a customer of a Sprint owned anything. Seeing them fail so much.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Thats hillarious. Sprint DOES NOT have the money to take over a network that is triple in size to the one they already have. I also don't see how a tv company wants a cell phone network. I think its a load of garbage. Yes i read the link in the OP. T-Mobile is doing better than a lot of its competition, i seriously don't see Sprint "taking them over". Thats a laughing joke lol. Sprint sucks beyond sucking xD
Skipjacks said:
You realize that if sprint took over they would use t mobiles existing network, right?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but if sprint takes over, they will probably let the towers become dated like they did their own and we wont see these speeds for long
Seems to me that AT&T tried this not too long ago. The result? Fed Govt said "Nope, not going to happen" AT&T got pissy and walked away.. but not before paying T-Mo a pretty sizeable chunk of cash because the merger didn't go through.
Don't see anyone picking up T-Mo in the near future.
ronin4740 said:
Seems to me that AT&T tried this not too long ago. The result? Fed Govt said "Nope, not going to happen" AT&T got pissy and walked away.. but not before paying T-Mo a pretty sizeable chunk of cash because the merger didn't go through.
Don't see anyone picking up T-Mo in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Don't know hat anything has changed either for the Fed to rule otherwise.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
I think this has been rumored for a while and I don't think it will ever happen. T-mobile's patent company, Deutsche Telekom, is a massive company and I don't think they would let tmo go.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4
Dish and sprint don't have that kind of money to take over tmobile ...
>O/C GalaxyGS4<
yeah as it was said AT&T tried to buy them out and the US government put a big red flag in that. people (such as myself) are leaving sprint to go with tmo because of the better service and price. plus, not sure if youve seen/heard the commercials but AT&T are trying to stay afloat by copying tmo's not contract deals... oh and to the guy who said something about a tv company buying a cell company.... even though verizon started as a phone company im fairly certain that their tv/internet service is pretty amazing.
TheAtheistOtaku said:
http://www.tmonews.com/2013/07/investor-sees-t-mobile-as-takeover-target-for-dish-network-sprint/
I honestly don't want either to take over. But if I had to choose, I'd choose dish.
With me just coming from Sprint I have this to say
You would have to shoot me in the face to get me to ever give another penny to Sprint. Their 3g data speeds are horrific in most places (even in places that have network vision dine, it's just "meh" speed, still sub par) I could never get above a 20 kb/s download rate. Not to mention how much more expensive they are with their plans (when I was with then, I had the cheapest available, 450 min and unlimited everything else for 69.99 a month.) Back in the day, Sprint could compete, but they let their towers become dated and do to little to late when they finally do decide to do something about it. Not to mention hour they boned their wimax phone buyers.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You couldn't be more correct about sprint speeds theyve bought people with there cheap lets get 10 people on a line call it a family plan... thats Soooo affordable crap..... and then throw you some 30 kb dload speeds...
Sprint should have went under along tine ago, even metro is better than them
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Damn, other carriers be jelly.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4
So is there any actual factual information proving all these points being mentioned. I mean unless anyone here is a top corporate executive or has a mole in the company?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
On the other hand Tmo can take over Sprint and put that company out of business once and for all and put their customers out of their misery.
Sprint will be a lot better in a year. They have cash now because of Softbank. I was surprised they came out with the plans they did just recently but hopefully they lower them so that should help all of us.
sweets55 said:
Sprint will be a lot better in a year. They have cash now because of Softbank. I was surprised they came out with the plans they did just recently but hopefully they lower them so that should help all of us.
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Sprint will never have good towers. They are trash. They've had two years to improve since I've left them. My cousin still has them. They suck. They aren't going anywhere.
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I'd have little problem with Dish, it could end up benefiting both sides. Still, T-Mobile stands to benefit less from a takeover now than they would have in the past. On the upswing as a carrier, or so it seems.
US wants 4 "major" carriers so unlikely tmo and sprint would merge anymore than tmo and at&t merger was approved by feds.
As for Dish (puke) they can't hardly run tv without being aluminum siding/used car salesmen. They'd be worse than the old nextel (which is where sprint got 95% of their terrible rape, pillage and burn customer service habits).
Full disclosure: was sprint customer almost 10 years (yes im a suicidal masochist lol) before givi g up in disgust & going to att for 3 and now on tmo.
TBH, only went with tmo because of pretty seamless wifi calling (no carrier signal works worth a dam at my house)
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