unlocking motorola cell phones?

[Buddenbohn]

hey,

my buddy got me a motorla slvr L2, but its a phone from another service (not sure which one, but its not cingular)...

i've tried finding the unlock codes and all that stuff on the internet but couldn't find any for the L2.

Does anyone know how to unlock the phones?

thanks
eric

[Clint_Smith]

don't you have to get a new sim chip from cingular?

[jordankreationz]

I dunno but I've got a tmobile nokia i'd love to unlock to use with verizon if possible so I'll watch this thread closely.

dj

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by jordankreationz

I dunno but I've got a tmobile nokia i'd love to unlock to use with verizon if possible so I'll watch this thread closely.

dj

Different technology! T-Mobile - GSM, Verizon, CDMA (TDMA). Will never work.

[JamesB]

unlocking a cell phone with the programing of one wireless company to work on another is not really a good idea. I know tons of people do it, but its only gonna cause you problems in the long run. Plus is skews our stats to help locate problems on our networks.

T-Moblie and Cingular are both GSM providers.

LG and Motorolla (other companies as well) make phones with the same basic software/firmware, but there is some coding that is different between each wireless company. Any reception problems you have,dropped calls and such as poor audio cant be resolved since you are using a phone made for another carrier. Granted the SIM will have to be changed out where some of the provider specific coding resides, but there is still a small bit in the phone.

I just wish wireles companies would get OUT of the busines of selling phones and leave that up to someone else and let ALL same system type phone (GSM/CDMA) work anywhere with out any silly lock codes. Europe has been doing this for years. Time for the US to play catch up

James

[jordankreationz]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Different technology! T-Mobile - GSM, Verizon, CDMA (TDMA). Will never work.

Bummer. Anyone wanna buy a never used tmobile phone? LOL

dj

[iCe]

Originally Posted by JamesB

I just wish wireles companies would get OUT of the busines of selling phones and leave that up to someone else and let ALL same system type phone (GSM/CDMA) work anywhere with out any silly lock codes. Europe has been doing this for years. Time for the US to play catch up

James

Yeah... like that will ever happen We are still using feet and inches when meters and centimeters makes a whole lot more sense.

[acesteward]

Lol if it helps I have seen unlocking software on ebay and other places around the net, there is even people around that will do it, but like jamesb said, you could experience problems, good luck on your venture

[Sonny]

Just wondering???? Why do you guys say unlocking phone could cause problems?

My wife and I have T-Mo family plan. Most of our phones we've used are usually from another carrier (cause they usually have cooler phones) and unlocked. We have not experienced any "problems" other than normal.

Can you elaborate more about the problems of unlocking phones? Again, just curious, not trying to stir the pot.

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Just wondering???? Why do you guys say unlocking phone could cause problems?

My wife and I have T-Mo family plan. Most of our phones we've used are usually from another carrier (cause they usually have cooler phones) and unlocked. We have not experienced any "problems" other than normal.

Can you elaborate more about the problems of unlocking phones? Again, just curious, not trying to stir the pot.

I forgot the specifics right off hand. I dont work with the phones anymore so I have to ask the guy who does.

also if you do experience any problems and call customer service they may decline helping you due to the unlocked phone (maybe, not definately). Kinda like having an illegal copy of PSCS2 and calling adobe when something goes wrong. you might get some help, but not what you need to fix it.

Also having an unlocked phone could prevent you from getting an upgrade discount later on.

I will find out more specifics tomorrow and post back.

James

[LonestarMan]

The biggest issue is with Internet access, MMS etc. These parameters are pre programmed into the phone by the factory for the specific carrier. If you know these parameters, you can program them yourself, but there are passwords required etc. I know Nokia has a place on their website where you can get the parameters sent to your phone via a text message, not sure about MOTO. It works sometimes, but is is not always up to date. I work for Cingular and I have used other companies phones but it can be a pain in the butt. As far as I know, there are no other repercussions for doing this. I do have the ability to unlock phones, unfortunately, I'm not in a position to share. I've grown fond of my job . Good luck. It's out there on the Internet, just may take some searching. I really thought the SLVR L2 was a Cingular exclusive. I am assuming you are a Cingular customer. Have you tried your SIM in the phone. Where you a former AT&T customer?

[LonestarMan]

Ohh and one other thought, there are roaming databases in the phone that need to be updated too. These can be pushed to you by customer service I think. This database tells the phone what roaming companies to use and which ones to avoid. This could be a major impact on your bill.

[JamesB]

I talked to a few people this morning and found out that Customer service will not give you a hard time with your problems using an unlocked phone. They used to but not any more.

you should however get a new sim card for that carrier and then request a manual push from customer service to update the phone with the proper network programming to ensure proper operation. If you dont get a new sim or the manual push for network programming, you will experience unnecessary dropped calls because the phone does not have the correct network ID's loaded into it to hand your call off to the proper tower.

Like Lonestarman said it could impact your bill if you travel or roam on other networks (in or out of your home callig area). Your unlocked phone has the OLD networks Roaming codes in it and it will bill you accordingly. And typically the carrier will not credit you the cost of those charges.

This is one of the main reasons carriers dont want you using unlocked phones.


James

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by JamesB

I talked to a few people this morning and found out that Customer service will not give you a hard time with your problems using an unlocked phone. They used to but not any more.

you should however get a new sim card for that carrier and then request a manual push from customer service to update the phone with the proper network programming to ensure proper operation. If you dont get a new sim or the manual push for network programming, you will experience unnecessary dropped calls because the phone does not have the correct network ID's loaded into it to hand your call off to the proper tower. This may not be a big issue for your home area, but if you travel to other areas you will notice it a lot more.

James

Thanks for the info James. We do experience the low signal and drop calls in our house ,but that is due to the heavily wooded neighborhood and our older home. Once we're out of the neighborhood (other than a few areas) our signal is great! However, I think we'll call T-Mo and ask for a manual push. Who knows, maybe it will help increase the signal in our home.

Thanks again.

[TxLerman]

Oops.. saw somone already gave the correct answer. Never mind....