[rene]

Hi Everyone.

I've got a new 7100g that I'm trying to sell (posted in the buy and sell) but I'm curious what all this "unlocked" stuff is about. I think I understand the whole concept (when it's unlocked the device will essentially work on ANYONE's network...correct me if I'm wrong).

I heard of a person here in my city that knows how to do this. Is there anything I should know when I go to see him? I've got a friend in Michigan that might be interested in purchasing this unit and it would be nice to know if I get this unit unlocked that he'll be able to use it to its full potential (email, phone, web), with his wireless provider.

Thanks for any help/insight anyone can offer!
rene

[2kaccordcoupe]

Yes I'm curious as well. Will an unlocked 7100i have all the same functionality when you unlock it and move it to another provider?

[NJBlackBerry]

2k - The 7100i is an iDen only device - and can be used ONLY on iDen Networks (Nextel, Mike, etc.) You can NOT unlock a 7100i and use it on a GSM carrier.

Rene - unlocking is generally used for GSM based devices. You can unlock a 7100g and use it on T-Mobile US just fine. You can not unlock a GSM device and use it on Verizon or Sprint or Nextel - one of the carriers that does not use GSM. Unlocked devices generally have the same features when you switch network - assuming that the network permits it. For example, T-Mobile may allow MMS on a BB, but Cingular may not.

Does that make sense.

[steven_kapoor]

Here is a quick example on what you should expect from an unlocked blackberry.

I bought a 7100v when I was in UK and got it unlocked when I moved back to the US. I used it with T-Mobile unlimited plan for a year and had no problems whatsoever. All features (IM, web, email, calendar....) all worked fine. Now am with Cingular now and it still works fine. I have also used this device as a GSM phone only when I travelled to India and Germany for short periods.

So, when getting an unlocked GSM 7100v,t,g you can use it with any GSM provider anywhere in the world. Cingular and T-Mobile in the US are GSM and your unlocked phone will not work with anyone else except for these two in the US. Outside of US you can use it with *any* GSM provider.....

[sampeck1324]

You can use it with more than those two, cant you?

[NJBlackBerry]

You can use it with any GSM provider - assuming they support the BlackBerry.

[adamlau]

Originally Posted by sampeck1324

You can use it with more than those two, cant you?

Cingular and T-Mobile are your options here in US. You can use an unlocked phone with most international SIM cards as most international mobile carriers support GSM.

[rene]

Thanks folks! That's very helpful!
Rene.

[rene]

Oh, one more thing (sorry if I'm a little dense here). My friend luckily is currently using Cingular. That's good luck so far. When I checked out Cingular to see what units they sold, they advertise a 7100g. Could this be the exact same unit that I am able to use on Rogers? Does that mean that I really don't need to unlock it, or because it's a different network provider, it would need to still be unlocked even though the units share the same model i.d.?
Thanks again everyone.
Rene

[sam-in-mtl]

When upgrading an unlocked phone (Tigeridrect 7100t), which is prensently at version 4.01 to version 4.1 do you loose your unlocked property?

It was previously a t-mobile phone and the new firmware comes from t-mobile

Thanks

[slater330]

no, once a phone is unlocked it stays unlocked.

Also, i have heard mixed reviews of BB 4.1, seems like half of people who upgrade have minor problems and regret it. I would check release info to see if its worth the risk for any new features.

However, i would recomend using the 4.1 desktop software. You can use a BB 4.0 with desktop 4.1 with no problem.

[slater330]

Also, if using a non-Cingular unlocked phone on Cingular to use e-mail and web you need special config info from Cingular (in most cases).

[titetanium]

Originally Posted by slater330

Also, if using a non-Cingular unlocked phone on Cingular to use e-mail and web you need special config info from Cingular (in most cases).

Would you mind explaining that a little more? What config info would I need from Cingular if I were to use my unlocked 7100t on Cingular? I thought all I would have to do is open an account w/Cingular, pop the new sim card in, remove/delete the pin/imei from T-Mobile BIS, add pin/imei to Cingular BIS and I'm good to go. Are you saying it wouldn't be that simple?

[slater330]

The pin/imei was mostly what i was refering to.

Sometimes depending on some factors (usually phone specific) with cingular they require another step or specific config setting on your phone other than those 2 mentioned.

Cingular should give it to you if you ask.

Also, understand if you have 2 phones and switch back and forth with the sim card it wont work.