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Phone Unlocking Policy Discussion

Ascertion

By Ascertion
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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

Posted
Posted

While true - I've seen people get their AT&T/T-Mobile branded iPhones to support VoLTE on Verizon (some struggle, others report no issue).

iPhones are special. Apple implemented a proprietary method using its iPhone Carrier Configuration system to dynamically rewrite portions of the baseband software and operating system configuration when SIM cards are switched. No other platform is capable of that, and technically, iPhones are not compliant with the spec because of it. Apple gets away with it, of course, because they are Apple.

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WiWavelength
WiWavelength

Alright, this thread is begging for some staff moderation -- and maybe even girding for a temporary lock.   Answer this question:  why are you people so hellbent on rushing the proverbial doors of S

Vince
Vince

Pretty much yes to all of your questions. I want my device unlocked so that I can sell it for probably $100 more than as it sits right now. I want to sell my plus, and almost be able to buy 2 regulars

S4GRU
S4GRU

Queue Prince. We're going to party like it's Twenty-NINETY-Nine!!!

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GoBigRed79 Member Level: 3G EVDO

GoBigRed79

Posted
Posted

Only current generation models, if I remember rightly...

Correct for now. Big issue will be vzw and att devices will not have band 41. So people doing BYOD to Sprint will not be getting the best experience. And Sprint iPhones are still locked to Sprint.

 

 

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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

Posted
Posted

Correct for now. Big issue will be vzw and att devices will not have band 41. So people doing BYOD to Sprint will not be getting the best experience. And Sprint iPhones are still locked to Sprint.

 

 

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Apparently, it's now cancelled. So that means no BYOAD at all anyway...
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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

Posted
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Front page update says postponed, not canceled unless something else has changed.  :pinch: 

Oops, I tend to read "postponed until further notice" as "canceled" because in a lot of other industries that I follow, this is actually what that means. It could just mean postponed, I suppose.

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sbolen Member Level: 4G WiMax

sbolen

Posted
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Oops, I tend to read "postponed until further notice" as "canceled" because in a lot of other industries that I follow, this is actually what that means. It could just mean postponed, I suppose.

If it walks like a duck...

 

 

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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

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I agree with you with respect to CDMA. It was, is, and will be problematic, at least until VoLTE becomes ubiquitous I suppose. (Is the VoLTE incompatibility you speak of expected to remain forever?) In any case, I prefer to look at the glass half full I guess :) Even just being able to use unlocked Sprint devices on AT&T or T-Mobile would be great.

The VoLTE incompatibility is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, because the ecosystem is basically now driven by U.S., Canadian, and Japanese operators, who relish lock-in. Perpetuating the model across Europe and Asia is good for them, because unbranded models are "crippled" against carrier-bloated models.

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Sprke Member Level: 3G EVDO

Sprke

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The VoLTE incompatibility is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, because the ecosystem is basically now driven by U.S., Canadian, and Japanese operators, who relish lock-in. Perpetuating the model across Europe and Asia is good for them, because unbranded models are "crippled" against carrier-bloated models.

This is disappointing to me this VoLTE situation. We're finally starting to get rid of the CDMA problem but now the VoLTE thing brings back the "locked in model" again. Are all carriers supporting the same VoLTE standard? What is proprietary with each carrier regarding VoLTE? Is there some kinda apn that is not able to be edited?

 

 

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GoWireless Member Level: 1x Advanced

GoWireless

Posted
Posted (edited)

...Sprint's policy specifically indicates that the devices must be "developed and released" after February 11. The "developed" bit can be interpreted to allow Sprint even more time to keep things the way they are, since device development processes are around a year long. Whether or not they'll do that, I don't know.

...

With the deadline now fast approaching, I really hope Sprint doesn't try to wiggle out of the commitment for phones released after Feb. 11 date by claiming that development started prior to that date. The CTIA's policy regarding the new unlocking commitment didn't just drop out of the sky all of a sudden. It was announced in late 2013 - more than a year ago. In my opinion it would be highly disingenuous of Sprint to use the "development" excuse to postpone this any further as they have had PLENTY of time to give manufacturers the heads up to get ready for the the policy change that will be taking place on February 11, 2015.

Edited by GoWireless
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derrph Member Level: 4G WiMax

derrph

Posted
Posted

I just don't see why sprint locks their phones to begin with even with the start of them using sim cards. I can understand if your under contract or your installment billing is not paid off. But if you have satisfied one of the two why not let the user do as they please with the phone. They officially own it now.

 

 

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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

Posted
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Does this thread have anything to do with Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Sprint Prepaid phones becoming eligible to be activated on Sprint Postpaid?

 

Thanks

Nope. This is about the GSM/UMTS/LTE portions of Sprint phones becoming unlocked and usable with other domestic GSM/UMTS/LTE carriers that are compatible with the devices.

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GoWireless Member Level: 1x Advanced

GoWireless

Posted
Posted (edited)

I just don't see why sprint locks their phones to begin with even with the start of them using sim cards. I can understand if your under contract or your installment billing is not paid off. But if you have satisfied one of the two why not let the user do as they please with the phone. They officially own it now.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I imagine the folks at Sprint think that it reduces churn... if they lock the device such that it cannot be used on another carrier then a customer might be less likely to jump ship since they would have to get a new phone with the other carrier.

 

That said, the practice of intentionally crippling fully-paid-for devices in this way infuriates a lot of people, and rightly so. So much so in fact, that the government was indicating a law would be passed at some point to prohibit this practice. Sniffing the winds of change, the CTIA (i.e., the carriers' trade group) decided to pre-empt this move by announcing the voluntary policy change agreed to by the 5 largest US carriers - before the govt. made them do it. I guess they figured better implement this under their own terms and conditions rather than have to acquiesce to whatever rules congress might come up with.

 

Note that the new policy covers both post paid as well as pre-paid devices. Sprint however has yet to indicate what actual steps customers would need to follow in order unlock devices covered under the new policy.

Edited by GoWireless
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GoWireless Member Level: 1x Advanced

GoWireless

Posted
Posted (edited)

Interesting minor development: It looks like Apple started selling today the iPhone 6 model A1586 and 6+ A1524 (i.e., the Sprint variants) unlocked when purchased at full price. They come without a SIM card and Apple specifically indicates that you can activate them on Verizon or Sprint (which means that Sprint must be whitelisting these units), as well as any of the GSM carriers.

 

This is the first time Apple has sold an "official" 6/6+ unlocked model in the US. Previously if you wanted to purchase an unlocked iPhone 6 you had to buy the T-Mobile version, which did not include the TD-LTE bands.

Edited by GoWireless
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GoBigRed79 Member Level: 3G EVDO

GoBigRed79

Posted
Posted

Here is the language from the Apple Store.

 

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a wireless contract commitment or a carrier installment plan. You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint in the United States.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.

Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a nano-SIM card for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, or iPhone 5c so you’ll need to get one from any supported carrier worldwide. To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract or a carrier installment plan. The unlocked iPhone 6 model is A1586. The unlocked iPhone 6 Plus model is A1524. The T-Mobile iPhone 6 model is A1549. The T-Mobile iPhone 6 Plus model is A1522. For details on LTE network support, please see www.apple.com/iphone/LTE.

To help decide whether the unlocked option is right for you, compare wireless service plans. Or call our iPhone Specialists at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

 

 

Looks to me Sprint is out of excuses regarding unlocking the iPhone.  You would be a fool at this point if you pay full price for a sprint locked iPhone 6. 

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derrph Member Level: 4G WiMax

derrph

Posted
Posted

Here is the language from the Apple Store.

 

 

Looks to me Sprint is out of excuses regarding unlocking the iPhone. You would be a fool at this point if you pay full price for a sprint locked iPhone 6.

It would be nice if they could just unlock my 6+ I paid full price for last month. Sigh

 

 

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gnoj Member Level: eHRPD

gnoj

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It will be interesting to see if Ting and the other Sprint MVNO's will now be able to support the iPhone 6(+) without having to wait for the 1-yr BYOD embargo to lift, as is the case with the Nexus 5/6.

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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

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It will be interesting to see if Ting and the other Sprint MVNO's will now be able to support the iPhone 6(+) without having to wait for the 1-yr BYOD embargo to lift, as is the case with the Nexus 5/6.

Probably not, as it's all still dependent on that whitelisting system.

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gnoj Member Level: eHRPD

gnoj

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Posted

Probably not, as it's all still dependent on that whitelisting system.

I'll rephrase the question: Will Sprint permit their MVNO's to activate an unlocked iPhone 6(+) purchased directly from Apple, as they have done for the Nexus?

 

If they do not, it will be ironic that once Ting launches T-Mobile service next month, the phone will be fully compatible with either network, but only activate on one. Sprint would essentially be turning down that wholesale revenue and allowing T-Mobile to have all of it instead.

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Conan Kudo Member Level: eHRPD

Conan Kudo

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I'll rephrase the question: Will Sprint permit their MVNO's to activate an unlocked iPhone 6(+) purchased directly from Apple, as they have done for the Nexus?

 

If they do not, it will be ironic that once Ting launches T-Mobile service next month, the phone will be fully compatible with either network, but only activate on one. Sprint would essentially be turning down that wholesale revenue and allowing T-Mobile to have all of it instead.

Nexus devices are special in that they are intended for developers, and thus are not considered "iconic" devices. Thusly, that very scenario is quite likely.

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