You are here:

Cellular Phones/Unlocking a Nextel iDEN phone, for use in the UK?

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/2/2011


Question
Hey,

I recently just got back from a trip to the US, I managed to acquire a couple of Blackberry 8350i Nextel phones, which I intended to take back to the UK and get unlocked to use here. I went to the local phone unlocking guy and he said he managed to unlock it, but the radio wont connect. I tried calling people and it asks if I want to reset the connection. When I say yes it tries, but it does not work. Even if I try an emergency call, I also tried to just turn it on in the options, and to reset the phone by taking the battery out whilst it was on for a minute. Nothing worked.

The phone is said to be unlocked, but I am not sure that because it is an iDEN phone if it is simply not compatible with sim cards, and that the radio connection will not turn back on because it does not recognise any of the UK? The phone is now fully charged. Are iDEN phone able to be unlocked and used in the UK? Is there any other suggestions you may have?

Answer
iDEN is not compatible with your carrier, so you will not be able to get the phone to work. A Nextel phone will only work on the iDEN network when it is programmed for the carrier who has an iDEN network. I would strongly recommend that you see if you can sell the phone and get a GSM phone. That's what you need there in the UK. I hope this helps and sorry it wasn't better news.

Cellular Phones

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and 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 and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). 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 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.