[Jace]

Is it possible that the 7100t might be able to be unlocked to use on other GSM providers?

[Hayswj]

Tmobile has previously unlocked phones and blackberries to customers after a certain period of time and in good standings

[Jace]

I'm thinking that someone will probably "figure out" how to unlock the 7100t and release that to the world.

I'm hoping to not have to switch to T MO to get the 7100t

[finch]

Originally Posted by Jace

Is it possible that the 7100t might be able to be unlocked to use on other GSM providers?

I'm sure it's a matter of time before the 7100 starts showing on eBay unlocked, as well I would guess it's just timimg before other carriers start offering the 7100 to there customers. I think there's to much potential for the 7100 to make it a carrier specific device.

[bhsalzer]

You guys are forgetting that this was a collabrative effort between Tmobile and RIM to make this model. As such I agree there will be some ebay models but it might be awhile before it is turned over to other GSM carriers. My guess is thru the holiday season at a minimum they will have the exclusive rights.

[iRoninTMO]

Absolutely, this device does not ship unlocked. A third party can do it, but it takes time to figure out the algorithms used to lock the phone (based of the IMEI). RIM tells me that ATT and Cingular (merging final in OCt) will have the 7290 and T-Mobile will continue it's exclusivity deal with 7100 series. If you think about it that was some BRILLIANT marketing... We'll be the only carrier with one for the holidays, so if you want a Bluetooth blackberry (as a carrier) to ship before the holidays you've got get the 7290. I hear Verizon has a CDMA 7100v (same styling as Vodafone 7100, so I hear, but I won't bet my life on it) and that's the next one out. Nextel is also on the list for a 7100 series (although they may be forced to use 7290 styling to accomodate that enormous walkie-talkie). Sprint, ah Sprint. As Sprint is expected to be overtaken by T-Mobile at the end of the year as the 4th largest wireless provider (keep in mind after AWS and Cing merge, 4th defaults to 3rd) Sprint appears to have accepted its fate and is violently clutching it's nuts in the corner as they have NO PLANS to ship a Bluetooth BB of any model... hehehehehehe. Sorry sports fans, but this one I've got on GOOD authority. Sprint users, you can quit holding your breath, but, uh, if you are in the Atlanta area and want to get a BT BB, stop by T-mobile at Lenox Mall.... wink wink... I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, we sales folk are slime... I can't wait till I graduate to lawyer!

[Mark Rejhon]

A rich guy could probably buy a non-contract T-Mobile 7100 series and then prepay 1-year of service, and then T-Mobile probably will unlock the phone in a hurry.... after having gotten so much money from that customer in so short a time. Then that guy switches to another carrier deftly. But that's only likely to be by businessmen who needs international service at lower rates.

Other than those isolated cases, it will be ages before unlocked 7100 series hit eBay. I bet.

Yes, very good move on TMobile's part.

[Skive]

Originally Posted by bhsalzer

You guys are forgetting that this was a collabrative effort between Tmobile and RIM to make this model. As such I agree there will be some ebay models but it might be awhile before it is turned over to other GSM carriers. My guess is thru the holiday season at a minimum they will have the exclusive rights.

Tmobile will always have the exclusive on the 7100t as thats their version, vodafone have the 7100v, so presumably all the other carriers will have a generic or standard design of 7100 at some point.

[Skive]

Originally Posted by iRoninTMO

holidays you've got get the 7290. I hear Verizon has a CDMA 7100v (same styling as Vodafone 7100, so I hear, but I won't bet my life on it) and that's the next one out.

My money would be on rogers being the next carrier to get a 7100 since they are probably the most significant carrier for rim that isn't in a competitive market with either tmobile or vodafone, after them you'd expect the european part of the tmobile group to be fairly quick off the mark once any exclusivity period ran out, since they wouldn't need to add much to the american version besides support for more languages.

[Skive]

Originally Posted by Jace

I'm thinking that someone will probably "figure out" how to unlock the 7100t and release that to the world.

Not many managed it with the earier blackberries and they were around long enough.

[bhsalzer]

I would like to caution people about buying "unlocked" 7100t's on the internet tomorrow, especially ebay. You could really be taken for a lot of money jsut because the ATTWS sim card fits in doesn't mean it will work

Buyer beware