vB Easy Archive - Benefits to Unlocking Blackberry 8700c?

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Benefits to Unlocking Blackberry 8700c?
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Posted by: daveinpa

Need some help here - hope this is the right spot for this question. I am currently using the Siemens SX66 (PDA phone on WM 2003) with Cingular. Just bought it 6 months ago - and HATE IT. Most unreliable device I've ever seen. No, I'm not waiting for the new HTC device with WM 2005. I know it's gonna rock, but will never be reliable from what I hear. Just can't afford to miss a call b/c my phone needs to be reset.

I am now moving to the new BB 8700c. I like many features - most importantly it's RELIABLE (it also *may* support UMTS in the future). SO, I'm trying to figure out WHY I should consider unlocking the new BB 8700C. Please no posts about how it can't be unlocked b/c it can.... what I'd like to discuss is what advantages does a current Cingular customer gain by unlocking this device and staying on Cingular? For example, can I access additional features, software, functionality, etc?????? I know it can be unlocked and then ported to TMO, etc.... so please stay on topic.

Please let me know why you would unlock this device. Pros/cons. Thanks.

Posted by: AlbertoM

No additional functionality, no additional software and no additional features. The only thing you gain in the US, is the ability to leave Cingular and go to say, T-Mobile - which you already noted. The only thing that you gain outside the US is the ability to use another telcom SIM if you do not want to use Cingular's international roaming. I think unlocking it is wasted money, but YMMV.

Posted by: daveinpa

Thanks Al - just thought there might be other reasons... but guess not. Thanks.

Posted by: richard371

Maybe I am crazy but i refuse to pay for or own a phone that is locked. As far as I am concerned if it is locked then it is not my phone.

Posted by: AlbertoM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard371

Maybe I am crazy but i refuse to pay for or own a phone that is locked. As far as I am concerned if it is locked then it is not my phone.

But you ARE paying full price, right?

No subsidies....

Posted by: briareus

Increased resale value is the only pro I can think of if you're planning on staying with Cingular after unlocking. Prepaid SIM's when you travel internationally are definitely cheaper so I guess that's another pro.

"Unlocking" refers to disabling the network lock on a GSM device. The network lock restricts you from using another carrier's SIM in your phone. There are several other locks that can be enabled aside from the network lock, but when people use the work "unlock" they're referring to the network lock. That's all it is.

Posted by: daveinpa

Thanks briareus.
I know with Windows Media devices that "unlock" also means you can get other access to update other parts of OS - didn't know if BB allowed the same. Appreciate everyone being patient from this BB newbie.

Posted by: hf1khal

I got mine unlocked by Cingular as i traveel overseas a lot and use a local SIM in one of the countries that I travel to. So unlocking it keeps me from taking 2 phones with me. I have no idea as how it would effect the BB access as I am new to BB.

Posted by: stufried

Quote:

Originally Posted by briareus

Increased resale value is the only pro I can think of if you're planning on staying with Cingular after unlocking. Prepaid SIM's when you travel internationally are definitely cheaper so I guess that's another pro.

"Unlocking" refers to disabling the network lock on a GSM device. The network lock restricts you from using another carrier's SIM in your phone. There are several other locks that can be enabled aside from the network lock, but when people use the work "unlock" they're referring to the network lock. That's all it is.

But can you fetch your e-mail from your Blackberry account with a prepaid SIM? I carry a prepaid SIM when I'm abroad, but I just stick it an unlocked phone. You can buy a Nokia 6310i off e-bay for peanuts and it is a great unlocked phone with easy access to the SIM for swapping.

Posted by: XDS2005

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

There are allot more pros to unlocking , as A matter of fact to many (And My thumbs hurt) .

Posted by: briareus

Quote:

Originally Posted by stufried

But can you fetch your e-mail from your Blackberry account with a prepaid SIM?

I doubt it unless there are prepaid SIM's with Blackberry data services. I mean, there could be, but I don't know of any.

Posted by: AlbertoM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDS2005

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

There are allot more pros to unlocking , as A matter of fact to many (And My thumbs hurt) .

OK. Other than being able to use it with another company, such as TMo or a foreign company when travelling, list the pros, please.

Posted by: XDS2005

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Well for one thing if everyone had A unlocked phone there would be A good 25% less load on GSM regional servers all threw and threw.

( No litigating who goes where )

Tower selection is another.

Posted by: hf1khal

Here is one more. Mine is unlocked and if I decide to sell it will mean more money for the pocket. If one is to unlock out there we can for sure say an added cost of any where between $75 to $125. If one is to buy outright from Cingular the with a cost of $400 or more then add the unlock cost, this will add around $200 to the vlaue of the one I bought plus I can go with it to another provider as I wish.