Hey guys, I've been a reader of XDA for years now but for the first time in my history here I wasn't able to find a precise answer after spending days scouring every resource available. That said, if my question HAS been answered before, I throw myself to your mercy and beg forgiveness
As some of your are no doubt aware, MetroPCS is now offering a pilot program in select metropolitan areas where they will allow you to bring your own CDMA device to their network. I live in one of the pilot areas for this program (DFW). Depending on which resource I'm reading I gather that the toro either CAN'T be flashed to other carriers or that it can but that doing so is a very intensive process. My question is whether or not this new offering from MetroPCS changes the traditional answer in any way. After doing as much research as I could online I also went to a MetroPCS store and spoke with an associate who told me that all I'd need to do was buy one of their SIM cards ($18) and pay for the first month of service and I'd be good to go. I also had a look at the SIM card they are offering, and it looks identical in dimension to the 4G LTE SIM currently in my GNex. Being naturally suspicious of anything that seems to simple to be true, I held off on taking the plunge until I could pick the collective brain of XDA to be sure. The associate did guarantee that I would have access to calls, text and at least 3G data, no LTE for obvious reasons.
If this will legitimately work I'd be willing to do whatever necessary to make it work with my GNex. With regards to my familiarity and comfort level with the toro, I bought it within the first month it was out and unlocked and rooted it right away. I change my ROM somewhere bordering between frequently and ZOMGCRACKFLASH!!!1 so I'm fairly intimately acquainted with my phone and what to do when things go wrong. ADB, fastboot etc. are well within my comfort level and I'm the kind of guy that if you give me direct instructions on a process I can follow them precisely and not panic if it doesn't work right the first time. Backtrack, evaluate and try again. I'd like to hope that it will be as simple as switching the SIM but part of me knows better and would be willing to go through the process no matter how long or involved it would be.
On a personal note, I'm not doing this just on a whim or out of curiosity. I've been with Verizon for over four years but about four months ago my father was diagnosed with cancer and I've taken leave from my job to live with and care for him full time. Having no major sustainable income I couldn't keep up with my $170/month family plan bill (my fiance has a GNex too ;p). That said, we both love our phones and would love to continue using them as our primary devices for quite a while if it's at all feasible. Any answers or direction would be greatly appreciated.
TL/DR:
MetroPCS: "Here! Magic SIM make stubborn toro work on our network!"
Me: "I smell either a trap or witchcraft..."
Esteemed XDA Guru/technopath: "<ACTUAL ANSWER HERE>"
Thanks for your time
you would need to modify the VIA Chipset firmware to work for metroPCS. there is a thread about this somewhere, just search for VIA chipset, or VIA or something like that in the title.
LTE would not work. period. different frequencies.
In short, metroPCS guy = idiot.
Re:
Zepius said:
you would need to modify the VIA Chipset firmware to work for metroPCS. there is a thread about this somewhere, just search for VIA chipset, or VIA or something like that in the title.
LTE would not work. period. different frequencies.
In short, metroPCS guy = idiot.
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Thanks very much! I'll do some research into modding the VIA firmware and go from there. I sense a project for me coming on
Related
I have been looking for a while but found no difinitive answer for this question which makes me think it would be tough, but here goes. My friend had Qwest cellular service in Minnesota and had an HTC PPC 6800 with them. At the time that he had this, Qwest's service was actually rebundled Sprint, but with a Qwest badged phone. While he and his family's business had an account through them they were forced to go to Verizon for their carrier and in turn he recieved the Verizon version of his phone, the VX6800 I believe. After he had switched providers with Qwest he had his old 6800 still laying around and gave it to me as I had done some work for him and his family's business developing a VPN and remote server management tools and started to develop a Linux PBX for them. My questions are this:
1. Is it possible to use this phone with my Sprint/Nextel service?
2. What are the steps I need to take to make this possible if I can indeed use this.
I understand about flashing ROMS and whatnot, but, do I need to do anything first to the phone to "unlock" it to work with Sprint and then load custom Firmware? Or can I just use something like DCD's Titan Kitchen to make this phone work with it?
My part time job is working at a Radioshack and I talked to my Sprint rep about swapping the ESN on my account from my old Nextel phone I have to this 6800 and she said it should be no problem if the phone could be unlocked. I really hope there is a way I could get this to work as I would hate to see a perfectly good smartphone go to almost total waste since a company decided to change their contract and make all their users switch to a new phone company. I know it could still be used to some things but I could just buy a smaller PDA and carry my phone with as well but that is not what the whole smartphone movement was about now was it? Thank you very much for listening and thank you in advance for any help that you might be able to provide.
--Big Kev
No, I'm not asking when/if the Incred is gonna hit Sprint.
Due to a falling out with Verizon, I'm now with Sprint, and would like to bring the $300 phone over to them (even if I would love to get my hands on an Evo). Now, considering I've never even considered taking an unlocked phone and dropping it onto another provider, I was hoping someone here in the forums may know whether or not it is possible to do so.
I mean, they're both CDMA and Sprint does use Verizon's towers...
It's not possible sadly. Not for any technical reasons, there are no issues there, but Sprint won't activate a phone's ESN number that's not in their system. The ESN contains the model number/vender/etc. Being that this phone is a VZW-exclusive, there really isn't a lot you can do... sorry =/.
DeeBG said:
It's not possible sadly. Not for any technical reasons, there are no issues there, but Sprint won't activate a phone's ESN number that's not in their system. The ESN contains the model number/vender/etc. Being that this phone is a VZW-exclusive, there really isn't a lot you can do... sorry =/.
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HTC is known for releasing phones that are better than and similar to other carriers versions, so i'd try to hold out, HTC releases phones every other month or so too. You can still use the phone as a Wifi only device atleast so its not entirely useless.
also, from the sound of it DeeBG, the ESN seems to be the same as a VIN for a car, didn't know the ESN contained all that info, i thought it was just an id like a MAC I.D. on wireless devices.
As far as them not activating the ESN, a while back they were part of the Open Handset Alliance, as was Verizon, and T-Mobile was also in there, and as far as i've read, Verizon is the only carrier that left it.
An H-SPL* unlocked HTC Touch Pro 2 with Windows Mobile from Verizon can be made to work on Sprint, its just that the 3G won't work (just to give an example)
*H-SPL is the equivelant of Root on Android, except on Windows Mobile OS
Trey_Miller said:
No, I'm not asking when/if the Incred is gonna hit Sprint.
Due to a falling out with Verizon, I'm now with Sprint, and would like to bring the $300 phone over to them (even if I would love to get my hands on an Evo). Now, considering I've never even considered taking an unlocked phone and dropping it onto another provider, I was hoping someone here in the forums may know whether or not it is possible to do so.
I mean, they're both CDMA and Sprint does use Verizon's towers...
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You're chances are about as good as Janet Reno winning a Miss America pageant. Sprint will not activate it as the MEID is not in their database nor would they even remotely entertain the idea of adding it as they can not support it if there are problems.
anything is possible but you are then on your own with no warranty or support from sprint. if you search around you can find how to do it but it is not easy and really not worth it unless you enjoy messing around with programming phones.
best bet is to ebay your INC and get an EVO on sprint. you'll probably come out ahead money wise anyway.
I say try activating it online. It wouldn't hurt to try. Can't speak for Sprint, but I've activated an old MotoQ from Sprint on Verizon's network within the last 6 months or so. So, I at least know Verizon does it. Or maybe they both carried the same phone at one point. But, trying doesn't hurt.
Edit: Comment back here when you figure it out.
I did quite a bit of searching before writing up this question, but if I missed something, I apologize. I did a search for "cdma" through the EVO forums and opened anything resembling using the EVO on another CDMA network.
I live in Alaska, so no Sprint network up here, but we do have ACS Wireless (Now Alaska Communications). I'm really interested and buying an EVO, but if it's not compatible with my provider, what's the point right?
I currently have a Hero, so I have the ACS PRL file and the ACS APN .xml file that I use when flashing custom ROMs, not sure if they go hand-in-hand, but that's all I got network-wise. Could I use APN Backup & Restore on the EVO with the ACS information and it'd be good to go?
Sorry for the ignorance, but assistance is greatly appreciated.
Unlike GSM phones CDMA phones are already technically "unlocked". The issue is that CDMA carriers use an auth/not-auth list. For example: ESN#1234 is on Sprint's auth list but ESN#1235 is not, it's on Cellular South auth list.
What you need to do is ask your carrier if they will allow to swap out your phone with a Sprint branded phone and if so can they assist you in doing so. This is best done at a store vs over the phone. Also search the MetroPCS threads the princple is the same but with a different carrier.
Alright, well, I contacted ACS and after dealing with the t1 techs (who are all just a bunch of natural born Einsteins) and moving onto the manager, she said that they'll transfer the ESN, but they won't help me troubleshoot anything etc, etc.
She also told me to be wary because she won a Motorola Milestone from whatever (it wasn't set up by ACS) and that when she tried to hook it up to the ACS network, she's getting a voice only connection, no data. Which I thought was weird because ACS actually offers the Milestone in their phone lineup.
Since she's obviously not an XDA visitor, I'm not really hanging on what she's said as long as I got confirmation that they'll transfer the ESN information (That's all I need, right?). My next question is that if I have the same issue, is this a simple APN fix that I can do? Or can I obtain network information from my Hero and use it to setup my EVO should a problem like this occur?
Could I follow one of the various Metro Guides?
I'm not sure what the QPST/EPST files are and how I should go about modifying them for ACS or if I even need to.
I just don't know which information I need to research and what files I need to substitute with my network settings instead of Metro's and also if any of the information can be pulled from my current Hero.
Again, any assistance is much appreciated! I, too, wish to be an EVO user.
Well it's good news hat they will do the ESN swap. From what I've been able to gather from carrier swap threads here and on other forums You could run into the opposite of what the T1 tech told you or you could get some mixed bag of services available. You could also have everything work just fine. My suggestion at this point would be to search and query various EVO carrier swap threads and pick the brains of the people in those threads to see if they could give you a generic list of what's needed. I'd also suggest doing this across multiple threads/forums and compare results as multiple sources saying the same thing will most likely be the correct course of action.
I will say again that there's no guarantee that all services will work.
I currently have a Samsung Captivate on AT&T, and while it is a popular phone that gets lots of rom updates from the community, I fear that it may be reaching the limit of its capabilities due to the single-core processor and limited RAM. I just reached the end of my contract, and I was hoping to save some money by switching to Ting.
If you are not familiar, they offer service on the Sprint network (same towers, same system) on a pay-as-you-go basis similar to Metro PCS. Anyway, I love being able to mod my phone, and I don't want to lose that if I upgrade, and I'm thinking about getting the SIII.
Since all these roms are based on Sprint phones, will they work on Ting automatically or is something special required to make them function properly on a different (yet the same) network?
jamina1 said:
Since all these roms are based on Sprint phones, will they work on Ting automatically or is something special required to make them function properly on a different (yet the same) network?
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I bought my SGS3 directly from Ting. Everything works perfectly. It's a Sprint phone, all the way down to the Sprint logo on the back plate, so in terms of software everything is compatible. In terms of network, there's nothing special about Ting: you're still connecting to Sprint's network (and your phone will even show that you're connected to Sprint, not Ting), so you won't have to do anything special to get ROMs working.
Oh, and if you're only saving "some" money switching to Ting, you're doing it wrong.
decimalman said:
I bought my SGS3 directly from Ting. Everything works perfectly. It's a Sprint phone, all the way down to the Sprint logo on the back plate, so in terms of software everything is compatible. In terms of network, there's nothing special about Ting: you're still connecting to Sprint's network (and your phone will even show that you're connected to Sprint, not Ting), so you won't have to do anything special to get ROMs working.
Oh, and if you're only saving "some" money switching to Ting, you're doing it wrong.
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The reason I ask is that it seems lots of people are trying to flash roms on their devices and having trouble getting the data to work on Ting. Is this something to do with them trying to work with devices that ting currently does not provision, not actual Ting-sourced devices?
Is there something persistent in the hardware that says "I am a Ting Phone" rather than "I am a Sprint Phone" if its software based, I would think a Rom Flash would wipe it away. Sorry for my unfamiliarity - but I've been with AT&T forever so I'm only familiar with the SIM-based GSM system.
And to your comment about "some" money - since I'm currently on a 21% discount through AT&T, and I have to buy a new phone to join Ting, I probably won't save ANY money by switching, unless I stay with them longer than 2 years. If I stick with the status-quo, Ting offers me no financial reason to switch.
My issue is that if I want a new device from AT&T given that they've refactored their plans to require a $40 mandatory data package above and beyond any voice plan, I go from paying about $60 to paying well over $90 and that WILL offer a savings from Ting, even if you factor in the cost of an S3.
So its either I stick with what I have, an outdated phone, or get a new one. How much money I invest to do so is my choice, and I choose Ting.
TBH I'm not very familiar with the underlying workings of the network, I'm just reporting on my experiences. It'd be nice if someone who knows what they're talking about could chime in here.
I see a few threads on the Ting forums where people are getting spotty or non-existent 3G when they bring a non-Ting phone over. I haven't seen anybody reporting problems when flashing ROMs on a Ting-sourced phone. If I've overlooked a thread, please link me to it and I'll investigate.
On the S3, the network stuff isn't stored in any of the partitions that are wiped when flashing ROMs. Unless the ROM is severely misbehaving and writing to these partitions, flashing should be completely harmless.
I see your point about Ting's costs. It certainly does take a while to pay off the initial investment, especially when you've already got a good deal going with AT&T.
Awesome, thanks for the insight. I was worried mainly because the only information I could find about Ting was people having issues, and it wasn't clear whether or not those were Ting devices or others trying to connect to Ting with unsupported devices. The only information I could find was bad stuff, so I was scared for a bit.
Thanks again!
BYOD on Ting
jamina1 said:
Awesome, thanks for the insight. I was worried mainly because the only information I could find about Ting was people having issues, and it wasn't clear whether or not those were Ting devices or others trying to connect to Ting with unsupported devices. The only information I could find was bad stuff, so I was scared for a bit.
Thanks again!
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Also, fyi, Ting is bringing a BYOD (bring your own device) for limited sprint phones next year. They will be using the sprint system to activate them over into Ting. So if you were to buy certain Sprint phones (we don't know which yet) you will be able to use a non Ting phone on ting's "network"(which in reality is sprint...)
So my gf has a Galaxy SIII from sprint, w no sim card. I have an at&t contract with two lines. I called AT&T and they replaced the IMEI for my 2nd line, to the IMEI of her SIII. Well obviously it's not that easy bc the **** don't work lol. I don't even know where to start, and don't bother telling me to "read the forums" bc I did and it's all gibberish to me anyway. Long story short I don't have any sim cards, never did. Not for my two htc one mini's through AT&T nor her SIII. Her SIII is running 4.1.2, which if i read some of the other posts right, it means it's impossible to transfer her phone to AT&T? I guess for starters is it even possible to bring a 4.1.2 SIII onto AT&T service? AT&T already changed the IMEI to her SIII, for whatever that's worth....
And on a side note, the SIII is completely stock from the manufacturer, aside from having the most current updates (Firmware etc). And I would like to emphasize that I have no access to any kind of "sim" card, nor will I ever. If there is a way to connect a Sprint SIII to the AT&T network, the method absolutely can not involve sim cards, and must be able to be done on a completely updated S3.
The last time I ever messed with the internals of a phone was back when the LG Ally was first released, and I did a one touch root, so I could use Verizons data through a WiFi hotspot, and not have to pay for a hotspot data package. So other than that I have not one pinch of knowledge or experience in this, as I've never had the need for it until now. I can follow instructions, but every single thread I've found on this site is so mind numbingly vague, it may as well read "insurt teh usb, do teh magix stuff, unplugs teh usb, ta-da!" And I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just trying to put into perspective how absolutely lost i am.
I tried the *# code in the dialer, and nothing. (probably bc i have NO sim cards)
I called AT&T and had them change the IMEI on my second line to the Sprint SIII
I read countless novel length threads on here, all of them seemingly useless.
I went to the sprint store to have them unlock it, they refused, naturally.
There is not an AT&T retail location for MANY miles, not like they'd be helpful anyway I assume...
I'm just stuck, all these threads do not apply to me, but I'm sure there's a way... There has to be.
To be able to connect the phone to the AT&T network you have to have a SIM card, without SIM you will never get to connect to the AT&T network. Your best bet would be to check here or craigslist to see if someone might be willing to exchange phones. or to purchase or upgrade to a phone with a SIM card slot, no sim card slot no service with AT&T.
I'm not a dev but I can tell you this.
1. Please do not insult one of the best source for Android development because you refuse to read the stickies and tutorials.
2. I'm sorry but a CDMA only Sprint Galaxy S3 does not have the necessary hardware to use AT&T's network. Though you state there must be a way you are unfortunately wrong in this case.
3. Prepare to get flamed and possibly have this thread closed.
4. You should try a Sprint MVNO or other CDMA based phone company like Boost, Virgin Mobile, etc.
5. I feel sorry if by girlfriend's phone you mean you bought a hot phone off someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
We're not here to flame, he has a legitimate question and simply needs an answer. Bit1 is right it's a CDMA phone and won't work with AT&T. It's very unfortunate but you won't get it to work. Your best bet now is to resell it as a CDMA phone and purchase the AT&T version.
Well, I guess that solves that, lol. Yeah I did some foot work around the city, talked to several retailers and a couple techs, learned a lot more a lot quicker. So yeah it basically comes down to the radio being in a completely different band/freq wtfe than AT&T uses. (The whole CDMA and the other deal). I mean the IMEI isn't locked, the phone isn't "hot". She's behind $250 on her sprint bill and now has a $300 paperweight, so I was trying to add the phone to my AT&T plan. Anywho, thanks for clearing this up. As far as trying to sell the thing, I saw a kiosk with a used S3 for $280? Is there even a market for S3's? They don't exactly seem like the "in" thing anymore if you catch my drift. My next question would be, if I sold the phone to someone who wanted to use it on the Sprint network, can they use it? More specifically I know they lock IMEI's if they're reported stolen/lost, but would they do it for not making a bill payment? (She hasn't used the thing/had service in over a month now...) My goal really is to figure out what to do with the thing. Best Buy offered $150 for an S3, but I don't know if the IMEI is good or not : / The screen is cracked so i was going to get a $15 one off EBay, fix it, and sell it. My concern is on selling the thing, should I make the $15 investment and chance not being able to sell the thing? I'm broke as all get out, so I'd rather have the 3 packs of cig's than a wasted investment lol.
Anybody need an SIII?
LMAO