Is my Sony Ericcson GC83 Unlocked? Purchased from Rogers - tried it with a Fido SIM

[CC2]

As part of my ongoing saga for internet connection while I'm in Rome I purchased a Sony Ericcson GC83 aircard.

In a perfect world I will take it to Rome, buy a TIM Data connection SIM card and surf the net for a lot less than Rogers International roaming (5 cents a KB - don't even bother doing the math - it's stupid)

There is a great deal of debate as to whether the GC83 is unlocked - noone at Rogers can answer that question.

I purchased it today and got it up and running easily and quickly on the Rogers network. Then I borrowed a friend's FIDO SIM card and had somewhat limited success (I think)...

With the Fido SIM card in I launched the Wireless Manager - it immediately recognized it as FIDO but kept disconnecting upon trying to connect with the internet. I had the same problem when I initially tried connecting with the Rogers SIM card and just played around with my settings until I finally found the right one.

I'm *assuming* that this is the same case - had I been able to play around a bit more with the FIDO SIM I would have had success...but the person needed their phone back......

Am I right? In that the aircard recognized the FIDO SIM/network does that imply my GC83 is unlocked? That way I can leave knowing I can buy a TIM data connection at about 1/100th the cost of the Rogers wireless roaming?

Thanks for any comments - much appreciated and happy new year!

[CL]

When you use FIDO SIM card made sure you have the right setting for FIDO network.

APN: internet.fido.ca
Username: fido
Password: fido

And made sure your friend's FIDO SIM Card had a Data Plan and had his internet GPRS account actativted.

I am using FIDO SIM Card on a UNLOCKED GC82 that I brough from eBay and had no problem locking on Rogers EDGE or Fido GPRS.

[CC2]

It was a pre paid phone so probably no data - but the APN, user name and password came up as you listed - so back to my original question......does it sound like my GC83 is unlocked?

[Guest 153]

Originally posted by CC2
It was a pre paid phone so probably no data - but the APN, user name and password came up as you listed - so back to my original question......does it sound like my GC83 is unlocked?

Yes it does. If it was locked it would say it was restriced, or locked.

Data won't work on Fido prepaid regardless.

[CC2]

So I had this thought in the middle of the night....has Rogers opened up the Fido network such that the GC83 would work on it even if it *was* previously locked?

Head hurts.

[Guest 153]

Originally posted by CC2
So I had this thought in the middle of the night....has Rogers opened up the Fido network such that the GC83 would work on it even if it *was* previously locked?

Head hurts.

I don't think you are able to use a Fido SIM on a Rogers locked phone, lemme check...

*EDIT: Nope. So it is unlocked, i'd say.

[Treatz]

Originally posted by CC2
So I had this thought in the middle of the night....has Rogers opened up the Fido network such that the GC83 would work on it even if it *was* previously locked?

Head hurts.

you wouldn't want that.
FIDO don't have EDGE

[CC2]

No...I don't want to use it with FIDO - just checking to see if it's unlocked - and I wondered whether the Rogers network was now open for FIDO customers.......

[CL]

Oh God! Then go get a FIDO SIM that had DATA Account and try it!

There are no way to tell until you actually use it (FIDO SIM with DATA) and see it work!

GC83 should be locked! But you can't really know until you try it would it?

If you can't find a FIDO SIM with DATA account then you are just taking a chances!

[Treatz]

Originally posted by CC2
No...I don't want to use it with FIDO - just checking to see if it's unlocked - and I wondered whether the Rogers network was now open for FIDO customers.......

the Rogers network is open for Fido customers to roam since nov 11th except for certain Fido plans which will not roam (city/country Fido) and vice versa

[Treatz]

Originally posted by CL
Oh God! Then go get a FIDO SIM that had DATA Account and try it!

There are no way to tell until you actually use it (FIDO SIM with DATA) and see it work!

GC83 should be locked! But you can't really know until you try it would it?

If you can't find a FIDO SIM with DATA account then you are just taking a chances!

he already stated he put a Fido sim into the unit and it registered.
it's obviously unlocked, which is what I've stated from the begining. I thought the GC83 was unlocked.

[CC2]

Thanks Treatz.....re the previous poster's comments I have been *trying* to find a FIDO customer with a data plan, but seeing as they represent something less that 1% of the GTA population, they're kinda rare!

My concern is that while the FIDO card did register that might imply it was roaming onto the Rogers network, which wouldn't prove it was unlocked. I realize I'm beating this horse to death....but it's a very significant issue for me. (And of course, if Rogers could simply *tell* me if it was unlocked I wouldn't be having these problems - I've called the data centre several times and even the manufacturer, but everyone just shrugs their shoulders).

Thanks again for all your help....I'll try Rogers again next week when some management people I know are back.

Liz

[Treatz]

Originally posted by CC2
Thanks Treatz.....re the previous poster's comments I have been *trying* to find a FIDO customer with a data plan, but seeing as they represent something less that 1% of the GTA population, they're kinda rare!

My concern is that while the FIDO card did register that might imply it was roaming onto the Rogers network, which wouldn't prove it was unlocked. I realize I'm beating this horse to death....but it's a very significant issue for me. (And of course, if Rogers could simply *tell* me if it was unlocked I wouldn't be having these problems - I've called the data centre several times and even the manufacturer, but everyone just shrugs their shoulders).

Thanks again for all your help....I'll try Rogers again next week when some management people I know are back.

Liz

Yes, but if the GC83 was locked to rogers, the Fido card wouldn't even work, let alone register.. youd get a "insert correct sim" or "enter subsidy password" or somehting along those lines, I can't remember exactly. the simple fact that you had a Fido sim in the unit, and it registered, shows youre' UL

[CC2]

Those are the best words I've heard - thanks (yet again!) for your help.....this board offers a tremendous wealth of information and you've been very helpful.

Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

Liz

[Treatz]

Originally posted by CC2
Those are the best words I've heard - thanks (yet again!) for your help.....this board offers a tremendous wealth of information and you've been very helpful.

Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

Liz

you to