Samsung Focus (AT&T unlocked) on Telus - Focus General

So I had the AT&T Samsung Focus unlocked and running on the Telus Network for a week now. Wanted to give my update for those thinking about getting a Samsung Focus from the endless pool of AT&T Samsung Focuses in the states.
First of all I wanted to get a Samsung Focus here in Canada but Rogers has the market locked up tight. I couldn't get Future Shop to sell me one so since I live in Vancouver and my family lives in Seattle I simply hopped over the boarder, got on Craigslist, and had someone sell me a unit for $300.
The Good:
Everything about the Focus is practically good ;-) - I had the LG Optimus 7 and the Samsung pretty much beats it soundly - the screen, speaker, and weight beat the LG. The LG has build quality however... it's just a better built unit. Voice quality is about equal with the LG although I was say LG has the slightly better voice quality overall. Data worked perfectly by just establishing the APN settings to Telus.
The Bad:
*No MMS (this is a real downer...) Microsoft doesn't have an APN Server section in the OS to address MMS Servers... this is a real bummer if you ask me.
Hopefully Microsoft will address the APN MMS concerns in the update incoming. Unlike HTC, Samsung seems to giving users less control of their phones and capping their market. While HTC has pretty much sucked on hardware they have been absolutely fanastic on extensibility, flexibility with their software. Samsung attempted to address the APN issue by releasing an APN editor but because AT&T and Rogers have exclusives the Profile.XML pretty much does not allow for Telus or other carriers to work in the NA market. I can't see Samsung changing this and unfortunately with Samsung selling so well Microsoft probably will not address the APN issue with a fix of their own (to do so would probably make the OEMs upset... particuarly Samsung.)
Regardless of my texting challenges (with are a tad bit irritating...) the Focus is a beautiful phone.

I'm a bit new to this and just had a few questions, I know a few years ago Telus would only authorize Telus sold phones (Telus registered IMIE #s). I guess now with sims they will authorize any compatible phones?
I'm currently a Telus customer with a CDMA phone (no sim), so to do this would I just find a Samsung Focus, unlock it, buy a telus sim and then call Telus and give them the sim#?

I've seen a lot of posts about how you can't unlock the Focus to use it on a different network...at least the AT&T version....how exactly did you unlock it, if you don't mind me asking?

To unlock Focus:
Buy a code on eBay (bought mine from this seller, very fast and worked first try! http://myworld.ebay.ca/nckzone)
Put new SIM in and boot up. Enter unlock code, you are unlocked!
To fix MMS and Data
Unlock using Chevron WP7 (Tutorial here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=938106)
On that tutorial page, download and install the Samsung Tools application. Run it and check all the options. Phone will reboot working 100% on the new network. Worked for me perfectly!

of course that only works on some networks. Im on a smaller gsm carrier in Wisconsin, with pretty simple settings for MMS and the chevron unlock, setting change, and reboot do nothing for me with APN or MMS. Have to change my APN manually still and no way to change MMS settings yet that I'm aware of...So still looking further into OTA provisioning and xml profile loading if possible.

Related

NOOB - T-Mobile UK HD2 unlocked - no O2 connection..

Hi guys.
Really sorry about this but I am at the end of my tether with this!
I run my own IT support company and one of the things I do most is Blackberry and iPhone Exchange email syncing. While both of those work brilliantly, I have had users having loads of issues getting their Windows Mobile devices working easily. Luckliy only one or 2 have these devices but more are asking....
I resorted to retiring my Bold 9000 and got a brand new sealed HD2 on the UK T-Mobile network today. First thing I did was get a sim unlock code and that went through first time (using my working o2 SIM from my BB). However, I couldn't make calls so after I spoke to o2 I got in to the Phone, Network settings and with the Network selection on auto, the preferred networks list was blank. Clicking the preferred networks button brings up the list of preferred networks, ticked o2 - UK and ok'd it. Goes back to main network screen and still blank. Clicking Find Network then brings up cannot register on selected network.
Changing automatic network selection to manual, selecting )2 - UK and ok'ing that brings up the same 'cannot register on selected network error. So, after coming here, I stuck on the HSPL 1.42, then upgraded to RUU_Leo_HTC_WWE_1.48.405.2_Radio_Signed_15.28.50.07U_2.05.51.05_2_Ship
That went on fine and after wiping to factory to make sure I sent through the set up. Same errors and still can't make receive calls.
Stuck on the 2.08 hspl for the hell of it then upgraded to RUU_Leo_HTC_WWE_1.66.405.2_Radio_Signed_15.30.50.07U_2.06.51.07_Ship
Guess what? Exact same problems! I spoke to o2 support and they were pretty useless. Explained that it was sim unlocked and on a generic firmware. They said that T-Mobile do something weird with the HTC and I should try calling HTC tech support, who are now closed...... I am not sure HTC will be of any help anyway as I can't exactly go telling them I have stuck on the HSPL and a non-approved firmware for what was the originall carrier!
Help please anybody?? I have googled and googled but haven't found anyone with the same problem, I might be being blind. BTW, what I guess is the antenna icon has an exclamation next to it
Thanks,
Nick
Quick update. Housemate got back so I nicked the Vodafone UK sim from his iPhone and stuck that in the HD2. Same problem, won't register on Vodafone either. Anyone?
Got annoyed. changed the SPL back to the standard 1.42. Installed the latest T-Mobile official firmware. Same problems. Do I have the only HD2 ever to be doing this? . I don't have a T-Mobile sim to hand and the nearest store is miles away sadly.
Does your phone app not work at all ?
How do you know unlock code worked ? so far every sim you tried has failed.
Where did you get the unlocking code from ?
How did you use it ? meaning how did you input it ?
Verdict so far, if a t-mobile sim card works then unlock was a fail !
Ok referring to your network selection, for the UK, you should have it set to Automatic, it will then use the network associated with your sim.
referring to your call problem, does the phone still work with the original t-mobile sim?
if so it sounds like your unlock code didnt work.
if your phone no longer works with the original t-mobile, I should think something has gone wrong with the radio software you have installed on the phone. Try going back to the stock htc/radio rom. If that doesnt work then the phone probably needs to go back to t-mobile for repair, at this point you tell them "it just stopped working"
have you tried to run the connection setup wizard?
settings - menu - all settings - connections - connection setup
if there isn't one, connectionsetup is available as a cab.
Hi guys. It was a brand neww, sealed box HD2, but from T-Mobile. No SIM with it at all or I would have been trying that too of course .
Regarding how I unlocked it. I paid an ebay seller to give me an unlock code. When I fist put on 02 SIM in the phone it wafffled on about being network locked basically and had a field to enter the unlock code. Entered the code given to me via the Ebay unlocker and never got that message again on the screen. Is that wrong somehow?
Manual network, auto network, selecting carrier etc all of them make no difference. I am off out now but have found a local store with PAYG T-Mobile sims in stock so will grab 1 later today and see what happens then.
Will update/bore you all later!
Cheers,
Nick
Right, case closed. I got the T-Mobile sim and stuck it in. Showed up with T-Mobile on the scren and a good strength signal. Tried to make a call, dropped back to the home screen almost straight away. I had full data access though. Spoke to T-Mobile who informed me that my brand new, sealed box HD2 was blacklisted and I could do nothing with it!
Vodafone and O2 just flat out don't let you register the handset on their network if is it blacklisted it would seem.
Contacted the seller and he has arranged a refund, but the refund is showing as 'pending' so I am not going to return the phone until I see it physically in my account.
I have to be honest and say that this is actually a good thing as despite HTC doing all they can to make the Win 6.5 on there look less dog-like, the overall UI is still pretty awful. Now,this phone with Android 2.1 on it might be a dfferent matter! Back on my Bold 9000 for now......
Cheers,
Nick.
I am sorry to hear about that, looks like to you got hit by some sort of scam, probably resealed a second hand or refurbished unit into an original box and sold it as new.
regarding the UI of the htc devices, I am not really sure why you think this, htc hd2 uses htc sense which is the same ui as on the android htc phones. The only windows mobile thing you should really see is the start menu which has been praised as being a very good replacement for the old start menu. even all the settings windows are run through the htc sense ui so i am really not sure what you are complaining about :S
If you dislike the top bar/bottom soft buttons, there have been a lot of modifications to these in more recent hd2 roms, maybe you should to take a look at the roms section to see some pics.

[Q] Rogers Samsung Focus on Fido?

Hey Guys,
I'm contemplating picking up the Samsung Focus to replace my HD7 but I'm confused as to whether the phone will work on Fido without having to unlock it?
I have an O2 version of the HD7 but really want a 3G Windows Phone and ideally would like to have MMS working as well. I know by unlocking the phone i'll lose the function altogether until we can figure out how to access the settings in the phone manually.
If anybody can fill me in if the Samsung Focus will work flawlessly on Fido without having to unlock or not that would be great!
Thanks!!
Worked perfect for me. No unlocking required.
Awesome! Can you confirm if MMS works on the phone too?
Thanks!!
mms
Why is everybody so worried about mms working or not, you have a phone that is really only good with data, so just email the pic if mms doesn't work who doesnt have email now days.
It's not that MMS is important but it IS a feature of the phone. One that is handicapped from the unlocking process.
It is also a feature that many would still like the ability to have as it's easier to send a quick MMS to someone instead of sending them an email.
Especially if the receiver doesn't have push email.
Hopefully the January update addresses the lack of a configuration menu for these settings and gets rid of the problem altogether!
I'm going to be doing the same thing too. Switching from HTC HD7 for a Samsung Focus. From what I understand the Rogers phone will work with no issue on FIDO. It's great because FIDO never has a good selection of phones.
I'll be over to the Samsung Focus forum more one I sell the HTC HD 7 and get the Focus.
Awesome! I think i'll be picking up my Focus tomorrow. You get it free on a 3 year contract if you buy a samsung laptop so I can kill two birds with one stone picking it up!!
I hope it's everything people say it's supposed to be. I really like the HD7 but hate that it doesn't work on 3G with Fido!!
I figure the Focus is the next best thing as people have been raving about the phone and the onboard memory versus the media card memory. Having the UI run even faster and smoother is going to be an awesome plus for the focus!!
Just wanted to fill you all in with a quick update...
The rogers focus works flawlessly with fido but still is unable to send mms messages as it's locked to the rogers settings for that feature!
Loving the phone otherwise!!!!
Hi guys, for those of u who have used the rogers samsung focus with fido, are you guys having the same issue as with the galaxy phone where the sms time stamp is off by 5hrs or not??
Sent from my GT-I9000M using Tapatalk
Not having any time stamp issues on the Rogers Focus on Fido.
I think it's another one of those small issues created by the unlocking process.
malik2k1 said:
Not having any time stamp issues on the Rogers Focus on Fido.
I think it's another one of those small issues created by the unlocking process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sms timestamp is not from unlocking its from the rom and the way the network does sms, telus/bell handle sms different than fido/rogers thats why bellus phones usually have timestamp issue on fido. I understand the deal with mms but its no deal breaker.
It's just a shame, because for some reason we can't access the root menu on the rogers samsung focus to changed the mms settings
I no it's not a deal breaker, but buying a cellphone fullprice would be great to have all the functionality working in some way
Hey... I'm looking to get a Focus now (had the HTC HD7). Any quirks with Focus on FIDO ? Looks like SMS might have time stamp issue. MMS not working no big deal. Tethering would be great if anyone has the settings. Anything else as a known issue or quirk? I'll post any if I come across them but if there are any others I don't want to repeat them. Over all does 3G work correctly (fast) ?
PaullikesWINMO said:
Hey... I'm looking to get a Focus now (had the HTC HD7). Any quirks with Focus on FIDO ? Looks like SMS might have time stamp issue. MMS not working no big deal. Tethering would be great if anyone has the settings. Anything else as a known issue or quirk? I'll post any if I come across them but if there are any others I don't want to repeat them. Over all does 3G work correctly (fast) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No quirks as far as I know. In fact I was surprised, I just poped in my sim in it, it work right out of the box, no unlocking, nothing. I just had to specify the APN. No timestamp issue. MMS doesn't work I can't get to the root menu to change the settings.
As for tethering, you'd just have to go in the diag menu and change the setting for it. Haven't tried it, but got to the menu where I saw the option for it.
And yes, 3G is pretty darn fast. I mean IE isn't AS good as the browser in android or iphone (yet) but still very good!.
I'm really glad I chose this phone instead of an iPhone!
Okay.. going to BestBuy now as I called and they say they are selling for $550. Where is the diag menu you speak of and then once there what are the FIDO settings?
PaullikesWINMO said:
Okay.. going to BestBuy now as I called and they say they are selling for $550. Where is the diag menu you speak of and then once there what are the FIDO settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool good luck
I had no luck at futureshop!
Anyway!
You can see all the codes there (some aren't working for some reason...):
http://www.win7phones.org/forum/samsung-focus-faq/145-samsung-focus-diagnosis-codes.html
And you can use the following procedure to tether (just use the fido or rogers credentials):
http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/samsung-focus-does-tethering-after-all-on-windows-phone-7
and the apn settings for Fido are:
fido-core-appl1.apn
(no user or password)
Enjoy!
Best Buy wouldn't let me buy the phone off contract for some reason so hoepfully you'll have better luck then I did.
Also, Samsung just updated their Network profile app which lets users configure the whole phone automatically to their carrier provided the phone is unlocked. Can anyone confirm that this has worked for them and all functions such as MMS and what not are working on the phone?
I can't try it out yet as my phone is still locked and I'm waiting for my unlock code by email. As soon as it arrives i'll test it out and let you guys know!
One weird thing about the app, it blocks the app from working if you're on a contract with your provider. Not sure if this is due to the phone being locked or if it's read through the IMEI. Eitherway, I hope it works.
malik2k1 said:
Best Buy wouldn't let me buy the phone off contract for some reason so hoepfully you'll have better luck then I did.
Also, Samsung just updated their Network profile app which lets users configure the whole phone automatically to their carrier provided the phone is unlocked. Can anyone confirm that this has worked for them and all functions such as MMS and what not are working on the phone?
I can't try it out yet as my phone is still locked and I'm waiting for my unlock code by email. As soon as it arrives i'll test it out and let you guys know!
One weird thing about the app, it blocks the app from working if you're on a contract with your provider. Not sure if this is due to the phone being locked or if it's read through the IMEI. Eitherway, I hope it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me (and us ) know when you unlock your focus how it goes. As mine I didn't had to unlock to so that it works with my sim.
If that app solves the MMS issue and so on I don't mind spending the fee to unlock the focus!
(where did you get yours unlocked?)
Hey Guys!
So I used the website www dot theunlock dot ca to get my unlock code which cost $10 US. It was quick and the code was available on the site a few hours after payment. I entered the unlock code in the phone and it is now fully unlocked.
I ran the network app provided by samsung and it opened (Finally). This was already a good sign as the app originally wouldn't open on a locked phone. Anyways, I went to switch the profile and the only profile available on the damn app was Rogers. I'm not sure why this has happened but Samsung needs to input a profile for other carriers for the Canadian market.
This app hasn't really solved the unlock issue for users in Canada which kinda sucks but I hope they will soon enough!
malik2k1 said:
Hey Guys!
So I used the website www dot theunlock dot ca to get my unlock code which cost $10 US. It was quick and the code was available on the site a few hours after payment. I entered the unlock code in the phone and it is now fully unlocked.
I ran the network app provided by samsung and it opened (Finally). This was already a good sign as the app originally wouldn't open on a locked phone. Anyways, I went to switch the profile and the only profile available on the damn app was Rogers. I'm not sure why this has happened but Samsung needs to input a profile for other carriers for the Canadian market.
This app hasn't really solved the unlock issue for users in Canada which kinda sucks but I hope they will soon enough!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thanks for the heads up!
now that it's unlock are you able to go in the root menu by any chance?

MMS Samsung Focus on Telus Network...

I bought a AT&T Samsung Focus for super cheap. I have the data running just fine and fast, however, it seems that MMS is a big pain in the butt. I can't get it to work at all. Anyone use Chevron WP7 in the past to get to the hidden MMS settings? I tried to load up ChevronWP7 but that it doesn't seem to work anymore either...
Samsung has updated its own Network profile tool in the market that allows you to set up the MMS settings. There is no need to hack your phone anymore.
I wish this was the case... however... I bought a phone which appears to still be "locked" to AT&T's network. The issue is the used phone may be connected to some kind of "AT&T" Contract? I got the ChevronWP7 NetProfile.xap to work but it's pretty much the same thing - just doesn't work.
yep something is still locked in the at&t focus. have one in new zealand and the samsung network profile tool only shows me the at&t profile to select from. MMS doesn't works for me either.
Alright this is not just me. The MMS APN is locked away somewhere... probably won't have the MMS unlock without some tweaking from the community for 10 months. Samsung has gone on file saying they were "protecting" AT&T and other providers.
Yeah, same here. Using my focus in Norway and everything works perfectly except for MMS (and of course the marketplace which we don't have over here yet).
Haven't been able to find a solution to this anywhere. MS is aware of this and says it's on their prio-list, but Samsung says that it's designed for use with a specific carrier.
Yes... I'm stuck here too without Chevron. Phone is unlocked (I paid for unlock code) but there is no FIDO network name to choose from for the MMS setting.
jessiethe3rd said:
I wish this was the case... however... I bought a phone which appears to still be "locked" to AT&T's network. The issue is the used phone may be connected to some kind of "AT&T" Contract? I got the ChevronWP7 NetProfile.xap to work but it's pretty much the same thing - just doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine unlocked. I'm using it on Telus.
The only way I got chevron to work was after I had reformat windows. I reinstalled an older version of zune and it worked.
Not exactly the best solution but the only that worked for me.
jessiethe3rd said:
Alright this is not just me. The MMS APN is locked away somewhere... probably won't have the MMS unlock without some tweaking from the community for 10 months. Samsung has gone on file saying they were "protecting" AT&T and other providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pardon my ignorance, I have never used the function, but isn't there an "add apn" on the bottom of the cellular menu in settings? what does this do?
munkeyphyst said:
pardon my ignorance, I have never used the function, but isn't there an "add apn" on the bottom of the cellular menu in settings? what does this do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The APN is only for Data. MMS is actually a cell hone function (like SMS) and it seems without Chevron, there is no way to change the settings.

[Q] A few questions about the MyTouch and GSM in general.

Okay, first off, I will preface this thread and questions by stating that I come from cdma phone world. This glacier is my first GSM android and I find them absolutely facinating. Secondly, I am advanced in the tech sector, so I am asking these questions from a professional standpoint and any help or input is welcomed.
So on with the questions.
1.) For GSM phones, is there a utility application like CDMAworkshop and QPST that I can use to see the settings (radio and network settings is mostly what I am after).
Currently, I am aware of an app called SIM TOOLKIT but it only asks for a 8 digit unlock code for the SIM itself, not for the phone. I would like to change the settings of the quality of the calls, and just play around with stuff I am familiar with, or become familiar with.
2.) What is a IMSI, IMEI, and what does the GSM phone send to the carrier (provider network)? I know with CDMA phones, we just can read the memory and change serial numbers. But I have a tracfone sim card and a mytouch tmob phone. I want the mytouch to be able to use the phone portion but they keep disconnecting me, so I have to match my info to the other phone. I got it to work successfully time and time again, but I keep getting disconnected, and it looks like its by a human cause its not at all in sync with a timer or a pattern, at least I haven't noticed it. I know they can dc phones at will and I was just wondering what information they get when making that decision.
3.) Has anyone done a tracfone sim on a glacier (t-mobile mytouch 4g) before? I have the sim unlocked, s-off, root, and custom recovery. I have also changed the IMEI number. I know the process of opening it up in a binary program, using the command 'dd' to modify /dev/block/mmcblk0p7 cause thats where its located. Also there is a T-MOB010 carrier id in that file, should I be changing this to tracfone's CID (carrier ID) and if so, does anyone know that?
I know this is a bit advanced, hopefully someone out there will help me out. There is no funny business going on here, I am just trying to use my tracfone sim in my droid, both are my phones, one i bought from someone for cheap.
I get it to work but random times it will get Disconnected seems like a person. Talk and Text only is needed, not mobile network or 3g or 4g.
ALSO, concerning /dev/block/mmcblk0p7 that is where the IMEI is located... does anyone know any other locations of IMSI or IMEI numbers? I find this fascinating and would like to know what mmcblk0p7 stands for, and what part of the radio and firmware this makes up as well of other locations similiar to this.
birdisthewordfella said:
Okay, first off, I will preface this thread and questions by stating that I come from cdma phone world. This glacier is my first GSM android and I find them absolutely facinating. Secondly, I am advanced in the tech sector, so I am asking these questions from a professional standpoint and any help or input is welcomed.
So on with the questions.
1.) For GSM phones, is there a utility application like CDMAworkshop and QPST that I can use to see the settings (radio and network settings is mostly what I am after).
In the GSM world we just flash various radios. Those can be found the development forum.
Currently, I am aware of an app called SIM TOOLKIT but it only asks for a 8 digit unlock code for the SIM itself, not for the phone. I would like to change the settings of the quality of the calls, and just play around with stuff I am familiar with, or become familiar with.
2.) What is a IMSI, IMEI, and what does the GSM phone send to the carrier (provider network)? I know with CDMA phones, we just can read the memory and change serial numbers. But I have a tracfone sim card and a mytouch tmob phone. I want the mytouch to be able to use the phone portion but they keep disconnecting me, so I have to match my info to the other phone. I got it to work successfully time and time again, but I keep getting disconnected, and it looks like its by a human cause its not at all in sync with a timer or a pattern, at least I haven't noticed it. I know they can dc phones at will and I was just wondering what information they get when making that decision.
The IMEI is the serial number of the phone. Used for warranty purposes, and verification. [IIRC] The IMSI is the serial number of SIM card. IT is the serial number that T-Mobile would approve to allow your phone to connect to their network. I believe that Tracfone is a CDMA carrier. If that is the case the two different radio technologies are preventing you from using a GSM phone, on a CDMA network. Sort of like trying to get FM to play on a AM only radio.
3.) Has anyone done a tracfone sim on a glacier (t-mobile mytouch 4g) before? I have the sim unlocked, s-off, root, and custom recovery. I have also changed the IMEI number. I know the process of opening it up in a binary program, using the command 'dd' to modify /dev/block/mmcblk0p7 cause thats where its located. Also there is a T-MOB010 carrier id in that file, should I be changing this to tracfone's CID (carrier ID) and if so, does anyone know that?
If you are messing with the IMEI of the phone you are messing with stuff that can get you in a lot of trouble. And is punishable by law. You are not allowed to copy IMEI according to FCC standards.
I know this is a bit advanced, hopefully someone out there will help me out. There is no funny business going on here, I am just trying to use my tracfone sim in my droid, both are my phones, one i bought from someone for cheap.
I get it to work but random times it will get Disconnected seems like a person. Talk and Text only is needed, not mobile network or 3g or 4g.
ALSO, concerning /dev/block/mmcblk0p7 that is where the IMEI is located... does anyone know any other locations of IMSI or IMEI numbers? I find this fascinating and would like to know what mmcblk0p7 stands for, and what part of the radio and firmware this makes up as well of other locations similiar to this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've answered to the best of my ability.
Your questions might be better addressed to the Tracfone subforum on HowardForums.
Tracfone locks the SIM to the phone. If you wanted to use your own phone, why in the world did you go with Tracfone?
If you want to get pay-by-the-minute service on your MT4G, go with T-Mobile prepaid or AT&T GoPhone. There are also other MVNOs of both T-Mo and AT&T that do allow you to bring your own device.
If you plan on using data, your best speeds will be found on T-Mobile or its MVNO Simple Mobile due to hardware radio compatibility.
neidlinger said:
I believe that Tracfone is a CDMA carrier. If that is the case the two different radio technologies are preventing you from using a GSM phone, on a CDMA network. Sort of like trying to get FM to play on a AM only radio.
I've answered to the best of my ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thank you very much. As far as tracfone goes, its both a CDMA and GSM carrier, I do believe if you get a leased number from them you will get either verizon (which will be a cdma phone) or you will get AT&T (which I currently have) one and that will even display AT&T when porting it over.
I don't have a lot of money and the job market is dry so until I save enough up to move then I just research the tech that I can get my hands on, this is a good way to learn, which brings me to my next question to your reply...
HAS ANYONE EVER GOT IN TROUBLE FOR THIS??? I'm not selling or distributing or even trying to access anything i'm not supposed to to benefit or gain by taking away so I'm just curious if there have been any cases where they show up from someone just tinkering... by 'they' i mean the fuzz.
And for the AT&T go phone, their sims are better? could I just pull that out and put it in my glacier?
Thanks guys.
birdisthewordfella said:
And for the AT&T go phone, their sims are better? could I just pull that out and put it in my glacier?
Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go with AT&T GoPhone, the key is to just buy a SIM - not a GoPhone itself. The phones that come with airtime bonuses are locked to the SIM for some number of months. If you buy just a SIM you can use it in any phone. Voice calls are 10¢/min. If you buy $100 in airtime you get a 1-year expiry, but all other denominations are shorter and would lead to a higher annual spend if you stick with them.
If you go with T-Mobile prepaid, get a SIM activation kit (both a SIM and an activation code included). If you buy a full $100 in airtime right off the bat, you get a 10¢/minute rate, 1-year expiry, *and* every top-up you make from that point onwards will have a 1-year expiry (even a $10 top-up). Or you can top up as little as $10 and get a 90-day expiry but a much higher per-minute rate.
It all really depends on your usage pattern - how many minutes and texts would you use? Do you have any interest in getting data?
If you end up switching and you have a balance left to burn in your TracFone account, you can always do so using SMS donation (look up Mobile Giving Foundation for a list of charities).
Yeh, i found what I am going to do, the go phone is .10c a min, or $2 a day for unlimited. That's not bad at all. They even have unlimited for $50 /mo. So I'm definitely doing that. Thanks for the suggestion. Btw, that unlimited is voice text and DATA!
birdisthewordfella said:
Yeh, i found what I am going to do, the go phone is .10c a min, or $2 a day for unlimited. That's not bad at all. They even have unlimited for $50 /mo. So I'm definitely doing that. Thanks for the suggestion. Btw, that unlimited is voice text and DATA!
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t-Mobile?
It's a 2Gb cap then they throttle your speed back to "EDGE" speeds... don't get to happy.
they don't sell gophone cards online, so I'm taking my phone to the at&t store, wish me luck
birdisthewordfella said:
they don't sell gophone cards online, so I'm taking my phone to the at&t store, wish me luck
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Click to collapse
you'll only get EDGE speeds all the time then.
AT&T Prepaid Go Phone Sim Cards are available online.
Use the ebay link. You Can also activate it online.
Check out this one
This is much better, 2 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ONWGMC

Few questions regarding changing firmware and unlocking

Hi I've just bought an omnia 7 which is uk t-mobile branded and sim locked. I would like to debrand it and unlock it so I can put my own sim in. I've done a bit of searching and found a page with all the firmwares on. Am I right in thinking that I need to install the XXJL3 uk retail rom to become unbranded? Would I then need to update to mango through zune?
Also I would like to unlock it. Is the best way through imei unlock? I've seen a few people selling this through ebay and at £8 seems a good deal
Cheers
Hi Rob77,
My Omnia is/was a T-Mobile branded phone when I got it last October.
I used these guys to get it unlocked, http://www.unlocksamsung.co.uk/
It took less than a hour.
The XXJL3 Retail ROM is also the one I used and Yes Zune will give you the rest of the updates.
Two things to bear in mind before you start.
1. If you want to (DEV) unlock your Omnia (i.e. Sideload Apps)
Then unlock it straight after you change the ROM. As there isn't a way to do it from Mango (yet )
2. You won't be able to use MMS on GiffGaff.
Theres no way to set the MMS settings on WP7 and GiffGaff have O2 Pre-Pay setting on there sims, so the phone reads and sets the wrong info.
Thanks ZaForD for the excellent advice. I don't get the phone till tomorrow but ill use that rom you mentioned and debrand it that way.
Its a bit of a shame about the mms issue with giffgaff, I wasn't aware of that. I generally send pictures through email now anyway so isn't really a deal breaker for me.
I looked on that network unlocking site you mentioned and see they charge 15 quid. But if they can do it and fast I dont mind paying the extra.
For the chevron unlock you mention does it stay unlocked with any future firmware upgrades that may come?
Thanks again
Rob
Edit to say, have you tried this solution to the mms issue:
http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Help-Ask-the-community-got-stuck/MMS-does-not-work-with-WP7-LG-E900/td-p/1520327?device-view=desktop
The last poster claims to have got it working
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Hi Rob77,
WP7 phones were only just released when I got mine unlocked and that was one of only three sites I found that could unlock the Omnia. It was also the cheapest, but things have clearly changed now
Each major update seems to brake the Chevron unlock.
I don't use it myself, so i'm not the best person to advise you on this.
I was just trying to save you some hassle if you wanted to go down that route.
The MMS its that big a deal for me either, but every now and then I look for a solution and have yet to find one.
That thread is for an LG phone, Samsungs don't have an MFG (manufactoring) menu. They have a Diag (diagnosis) menu.
The setting mentioned dose nothing on the Omnia
The only WP7 phones that have a fix AFAIK are the HTC's, they have a 'Network Connection' App that has the GiffGaff settings.
The 'Network Profile' App for Samsungs dosen't have any GiffGaff settings.
Samsung say GiffGaff haven't provided any, GiffGaff have yet to answer my email's/agent msg's. But its only been around 8 months, they maybe busy.
Thanks again for the great advice ZaForD
Its a bit of a shame about the giffgaff MMS issue but hopefully in the future they may finally get round to fixing it amongst themselves. I cant recall receiving an MMS in the last 6 months anyway so its no biggi really.
I probably wont Chevron unlock mine either. Is it just for installing 3rd party apps that are not available through the marketplace? I've not really needed to on my android so doubt I will on WP7
Hi ZaForD I came across this http://www.nextbestgeek.com/2010/12/12/samsung-no-mms-read-on/ and thought it might be of some interest. Apparently it works but I'm unable to test it at the moment as I still haven't received my phone (damn ebayer). When mine arrives I'm going to chevron unlock it and try it out but I'm unsure whether pay chevron labs or go with the free unlock that is on this forum.
sim lock
i dont thnk while changing rom thr s any sim lock ............to dev unlock http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1335452 here u can c cpmplete guide to dev unlock
Hey Rob
I had a look at the link, I don't think it'll be any help.
There doesn't appear to be anywhere to add any new settings.
Which implys the App gets the MMS settings from either:
The 'Sim Card' which in our case are O2 pre-paid settings not Giffgaff.
And which is the same as 'Resetting' the phone.
Or it pulls the info from the 'Network' which would be the same as 'txt 2020' for settings.
That also doesn't work for WP7 and from what i've read on the giffgaff forums, doesn't work for Android, Apple or Blackberry phones either.
Thats a shame. Thanks for taking a look, hopefully in the future we will get a fix

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