AboutDebiN Expertise I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM (AT&T (formerly Cingular) and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel (iDEN)). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.
Experience Over 15 years in the telecommunications field in the United States.
Question Hi, I've asked you a few questions in the past, and you have been very helpful. I have an Alltel Motorola Razr V3m. I'm pretty sure that Alltel is a CDMA company. I was wondering if you can unlock the phone so it will work with any other CDMA company. I've seen several things on how to unlock a Razr V3m for Verizon, but just to get ringtones and wallpapers and things. I have all that stuff because I have Alltel. So I'm interested in unlocking my phone to use with any company.
Answer Hi Phil -
It's nice to hear from you again and I'm very happy to hear that I have been helpful to you.
In answer to your question, Alltel does in fact use the CDMA network for cellular services. But here is the problem with "unlocking" a CDMA device. The process for unlocking is much more complex with CDMA then with GSM (which you basically are just unlocking the SIM card) and in order to use an Alltel phone on say, the Verizon network, the phone would need to be flashed with Verizon's firmware for this type of phone (which they do sell, so it is potentially possible), but more than that, the phone would actually have to be cloned (which is not legal) with an ESN number from a Verizon phone. Because in the US, CDMA providers code the ESN number of a device to the wireless number in order to make a phone work, the ESN number must be in the provider's database in order for them to work on their network. Regardless of what Verizon has been saying in the media about making their phones unlocked, what they aren't really saying is that you can't use any one else's phones on their network except theirs. Things may change in the future, but it just isn't quite as simple as it may appear in the media.
So, in answer to your question, I can assure you that it isn't worth trying to make your Alltel phone work on another provider's network. There will be a cost to do this (and you will have to find someone to do it), it's not guaranteed to work and can easily permanently damage the phone. A Razr V3m isn't worth a whole lot today, so personally, I don't think it's worth the trouble. If you are thinking of going with another carrier, just get a phone from them. More than likely, the phone will be free and it will also be a newer model than the V3m.
I hope this helps and please let me know of you need any additional information. Thanks. DebiN
