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Changing handsets

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Posted by: daboss11

I am trying to get Bellmobility to change handsets for me without being forced to buy one of their phones. I have a pay-as-you-go account using an old Motorola 650e, (which I paid for, and own outright), and would like to change to an Audiovox CDM 9000, (also owned outright), which was previously used under Telus, (Bell also markets the 9000s).
I recently had a similar situation with Rogers , and after much complaining they were able to accomodate this type of change. Bell is more adamant in it's refusal. Can anyone tell me anything to give me more leverage? I don't think it's fair that they dictate which handset I use when they are capable of accomodating me, it's just against THEIR MONOPOLISTIC POLICY! This much they admitted to me!


Posted by: Beel

Quote:
Originally posted by daboss11
...would like to change to an Audiovox CDM 9000, (also owned outright), which was previously used under Telus, (Bell also markets the 9000s).

First off, Bell does not sell the current 9xxx series Audiovox phones, although they do sell some of the 8xxx series.

As for getting the phone activated, do you have the MSL or lock code for the phone? If not, you're out of luck as Telus will likely not give it to Bell.

If you do have the lock code, about all you can do is try several times, at different locations. Try a dealer store, and tell them you ordered it new from EBay. No carrier likes to activate phones from other carriers, but it's actually a simple process to enter the ESN and program the phone to use the PRL/PRI for Bell's network. Getting someone to do it is another story.



Posted by: dirtyjeffer

Quote:
Originally posted by Beel
No carrier likes to activate phones from other carriers, but it's actually a simple process to enter the ESN and program the phone to use the PRL/PRI for Bell's network. Getting someone to do it is another story.

you don't type in a PRL number when programming the phone and it just works...the PRL is a list of roaming codes to ensure the best possible reception...since this phone will have a Telus PRL in it, it will always look for a telus signal first...since your phone is not going to be active with Telus, you will always get a message telling you to call a 1-800 number for Telus customer service...not activating the phone has nothing to do with "monopolistic policies"...it is simply to ensure the phones are working as good as possible since you have to pay to use them...imagine how displeased you would be, and how much you would complain to CS if 80% of your calls wouldn't work because you want to use an incompatible handset...bell mobility allows prepaid upgrades, so why not just buy a new handset from bell at the month to month price and they will change it for you...you still get subsidized pricing, NO OTHER CARRIER DOES THIS (except for maybe Fido, i don't know if they do or not).


Posted by: daboss11

Are you a Bell salesperson? They don't get a commission on air time, just hardware, they sell, how's that for motive?
I've spoken to Audiovox directly and Audiovox, (and others), sell the identical units to Bell, Rogers, Telus, etc. Providers are the ones that program the differences. As long as the same network technology is used, (i.e. GSM), any phone is compatable with any provider. If it can be programmed, it can be reprogrammed. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was able to convince Rogers to do this same thing for me a few weeks ago. It's just that providers would rather sell you one of their phones!


Posted by: Dreaderus

no hes indicating that if you want a non bm phone on the network, your not going to have an easy time of it.

Dreaderus


Posted by: dirtyjeffer

Quote:
Originally posted by daboss11
Are you a Bell salesperson? They don't get a commission on air time, just hardware, they sell, how's that for motive?


actually, no i am not a salesperson...but even if i were, would we go through all this work for $3 in commission?..please.

Quote:
I've spoken to Audiovox directly and Audiovox, (and others), sell the identical units to Bell, Rogers, Telus, etc. Providers are the ones that program the differences. As long as the same network technology is used, (i.e. GSM), any phone is compatable with any provider. If it can be programmed, it can be reprogrammed. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was able to convince Rogers to do this same thing for me a few weeks ago.

the phone isn't "programmed", the ROM is flashed with the appropriate carrier software...it isn't the same as with GSM, as most of the information that is needed is already in the phone, and that isn't carrier dependant...the SIM card fills in the gaps...with a CDMA phone, the entire phones operations are based on the software that is loaded into it...also the PRL determines how the phone will work and roam...although it is technically possible for someone to activate your phone, it goes againts company policy and won't really work properly anyway.

Quote:
It's just that providers would rather sell you one of their phones!


no, they would rather you use an old bell phone...everytime you buy a new phone, they lose money because of the subsidies on handsets...if you picked up a used handset from a friend, they are making their revenues from the start, without having to take a $200+ bath on the price of the phone.


Posted by: shaner

Actually, I'd rather sell you a battery for your old phone than sell you a new phone. That makes me much more money.

Just for your information, as if it is any business of yours, a Bell salesrep gets paid based mostly on the plan you go on, not the hardware you pick. Imagine that, we get paid for getting you a plan which suits your needs the best.


Posted by: pattste

Quote:
Originally posted by dirtyjeffer

the phone isn't "programmed", the ROM is flashed with the appropriate carrier software...it isn't the same as with GSM, as most of the information that is needed is already in the phone, and that isn't carrier dependant...the SIM card fills in the gaps...with a CDMA phone, the entire phones operations are based on the software that is loaded into it...also the PRL determines how the phone will work and roam...although it is technically possible for someone to activate your phone, it goes againts company policy and won't really work properly anyway.

Speaking of software and PRLs, is it possible for Bell to update those over the air? I bought a Nokia 3586i from Bell on May 1st. It was activated (incorrectly) by the salesperson while I waited. It didn't work so I called on Monday (May 3rd) and the activation department helped me program it over the phone. I just noticed that the Phone Details screen shows, along with the software version, an activation date of May 6th. Unless that refers to something else...

Also, since the activation department gave me the codes to program my handset (I didn't write them down), does this mean that my phone is no longer locked to Bell Mobility? (Not that it makes any difference)


Posted by: Xirc

Quote:
Originally posted by pattste
Speaking of software and PRLs, is it possible for Bell to update those over the air?


Bell does not support OTASP (over the air service programming).

Quote:
Also, since the activation department gave me the codes to program my handset (I didn't write them down), does this mean that my phone is no longer locked to Bell Mobility? (Not that it makes any difference)


Your phone is still locked. The codes they gave you, if you had kept them, would give you access to the programming menu, but you would need them every time you wish to do so.


Posted by: itchy

I'm sure that if you are able to get bell to reprogram your telus phone with all the proper bell software you can get your phone hooked up on the system, but that is the problem.

will bell reprogram the phone for you.




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