Can iPhone 4S with Bad ESN be activated on Latin American GSM carrier?

[mikehacke44]

Anyone have any definitive information about activating a BAD ESN iPhone 4S in South America on a GSM network (Sprint and Verizon 4S have full GSM just like ATT)? I believe the answer is yes, but my Spanish is not good enough to call the carrier.

Its my understanding that bad ESNs are only a CDMA issue and shouldn't be a factor outside of the US if running on GSM. Also, does Apple/iTunes play any role in the "Bad ESN" process? As in, is a bad ESN iPhone "blacklisted" by both the US carrier and Apple?

The 4S is sold in most South American markets (almost all are GSM), so I know the phone is capable of functioning down there. Just not sure if there might be something unique to a Spring or Verizon phone that would prevent it from activating.

Thanks,

Mike

[FungFlex]

Find a friend with either AT&T or T-Mobile service. Ideally you really want a person with an iPhone 4 or 4s on AT&T, that way you can just drop their sim card into your device.

If you happen to have an unlocked phone it will take a moment but end up showing AT&T and service on the phone.

A bad ESN only prevents the device from being activated on Sprint. If the device is unlocked then its fair game as an HSPA device and actually has quite a good resale value as an unlocked device. If it doesn't work when you drop the AT&T sim in then you are busted and its time to call up Sprint and pay whatever bill is blocking your ESN.

[efparri]

Verizon and Sprint iPhones 4 and 4S are configured not to operate on GSM networks in the United States.

[Mr.Cell]

I have a SIM card from Telcel Mexico. If you are in the SF bay area sometime i can let you try it.

[efparri]

Look on eBay for a foreign SIM card. Canadian SIM cards probably would be the easiest to find and obtain.

[bsweetness]

You'll also have to make sure that the SIM slot is unlocked. The SIM slot on the 4S comes locked to their international partners for both Sprint and Verizon.