vB Easy Archive - Unlocked, non carrier approved handsets going away ? (rumor)

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Unlocked, non carrier approved handsets going away ? (rumor)
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Posted by: SuxBeingU

I was talking to a T-Mobile B2B rep yesterday they were say that both T-mob adn Cingular are geting ready to remove all non carrier approved handsets and unlocked handsets that are not carrier specific. This doesn't affect me in any way but I kn ow if this is coming up it could useful news for alot of people around here. Anyone hear or know anything about this?

Posted by: justhink

it will not be possible for them to remove something they do not have access to. non carrier specific phones will always make their way to the us from other countries or be sold dirct from the manufacturer and that will not change.And until the U.s follows the E.U. and makes unlocking phones a crime then well thats that. Cingular or T-mob can say they dont want consumers using those handsets, but as far as i understand there is no way to prevent that .

Posted by: aresthoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by justhink

it will not be possible for them to remove something they do not have access to. non carrier specific phones will always make their way to the us from other countries or be sold direct from the manufacturer and that will not change...until the U.S. follows the E.U. and makes unlocking phones a crime then...Cingular or T-mob can say they dont want consumers using those handsets, but as far as i understand there is no way to prevent that.

My thoughts exactly.

Posted by: ncvaco

Two things. One how are they going to do this if you aren't required to register your phone ID in the US. Second, won't this cause a big riff in carrier - manufactuer relations.

Posted by: DonaldMick

Quote:

Originally Posted by justhink

And until the U.s follows the E.U. and makes unlocking phones a crime then well thats that.

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I probably am), but aren't most of the handsets sold in Europe unlocked anyway?

Posted by: eimajuno

Quote:

Originally Posted by HurricaneDonald

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I probably am), but aren't most of the handsets sold in Europe unlocked anyway?

Its pretty common that most phones in Europe are unlocked because some people have multiple sims for multiple providers.

Posted by: Moderator HF 10

Most phones in Europe are carrier-subsidized and locked just like they are here.

As to the original question, the dearth of 850/1800/1900 phones unless they are ordered by Cingular seems likely to cut down on the choice of unlocked phones even if it doesn't eliminate it.

Just when we thought Moto might go all quad-band, the next set of phones are all (or nearly all) tri-band. A 900/1800/1900 phone is increasingly useless with Cingular and often that's the only unlocked version of phones that alleged exist as both 850/1800/1900 and 900/1800/1900 that's realistically available.

Posted by: ivwshane

I think I heard that cingular was going to drop any dealer selling non supported phones. Maybe that's what they were talking about and just got their info wrong.

Posted by: Blazers4ever

Screw these providers.......when are they going to get it into their heads that they should concentrate on quality service, which includes reception as well as CS before worrying about some of their customers using non-supported phones? Even if you buy a subsidised phone, you're paying for it by having to sign a two-year contract to get the lowest price. They should mind their own business as far as non-supported phones is concerned.

People that use non-supported phones (including me) are definitely a minority. I don't see them making this a big priority if it is actually being considered.

Posted by: eimajuno

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

I think I heard that cingular was going to drop any dealer selling non supported phones. Maybe that's what they were talking about and just got their info wrong.

Yes and no. I work for an indirect and as long as we buy the unlocked and/or unbranded phone from our distributor, we can still activate without a problem. If the phone is not purchased from the their stock, then we do not get paid. Unlocked phones do come in handy when your are not out of your contract and need a cheaper replacement phones.