Help (Resolved) Will an unlocked sprint ONE work on any other carrier?

[shalemail]

I found an HTC One (For Sprint) on CL for 200 bucks new in the box. Is it the same phone and once unlocked would it work on any carrier?

 

[sikclown]

I found an HTC One (For Sprint) on CL for 200 bucks new in the box. Is it the same phone and once unlocked would it work on any carrier?

No. Sprint's version will only work on Sprint here and after unlocked (By Sprint) it can be used overseas. It only has Sprint's LTE band as well.

 

[EarlyMon]

I found an HTC One (For Sprint) on CL for 200 bucks new in the box. Is it the same phone and once unlocked would it work on any carrier?

Common sense should say that's a rip off unless with a new contract or extension with Sprint.

At which point, you're saving zero dollars from your local shops.

 

[CaseyLiffick]

Lots of misinformation here. A friend of mine bought a Sprint HTC One from a guy who worked at HTC (coincidentally for the same price) and it was on the Sprint network, but he's now using it for Tmobile which I've verified to be working. Although when he turns on wifi or loses signal, data doesn't come back on until the phone is restarted.

 

[EarlyMon]

Lots of misinformation here. A friend of mine bought a Sprint HTC One from a guy who worked at HTC (coincidentally for the same price) and it was on the Sprint network, but he's now using it for Tmobile which I've verified to be working. Although when he turns on wifi or loses signal, data doesn't come back on until the phone is restarted.

Lot of potential misinformation in your post.

 

[scotty85]

its possible the sprint device contains some gsm radios,and they are intending to anounce later its world phone cababilities.

but if that were the case,wed have prolly heard of it by now.

are you sure your friend isnt using an att one on t mobile?

 

[EarlyMon]

its possible the sprint device contains some gsm radios,and they are intending to anounce later its world phone cababilities.

but if that were the case,wed have prolly heard of it by now.

are you sure your friend isnt using an att one on t mobile?

Here's a rundown of the radios supported by the various models -

http://androidforums.com/htc-one/685948-htc-one-faqs.html#post5787754

 

[shalemail]

This was the heart of my question. On HTC's website it lists the ONE, it does not give different models it just gives all the radios and frequencies (it does say which radios work for which carriers) but does not specify that the phone does not include all of the radios listed only using the appropriate one for whatever network.

My Moto HD lists radios that work on both ATT and TMobile - including LTE bands that should work on either, yet the phone was an ATT exclusive.

My only question here was is there ONE version of the ONE or many. Looks like I am to assume many.

That said the deal being offered to me was a guy got an HTC One from his employer but preferred to keep his Iphone, so he was making a few bucks. Nothing shady about it.

 

[EarlyMon]

Didn't call it shady.

Unusual in the extreme is a fair statement.

I think that the link provided shakes out the radio situation. The HTC website is notorious for being vague and inaccurate.

No need to assume - several model variations have been identified based on radio and modem parts differences.

Definitely more than one revision of the One according to that information.

 

[scotty85]

check out the top left hand side... if it lacks a sim card tray that will tell you without a doubt it wont work no way any gsm phone will work without a sim card

for the price id grab it. you can always resell or possibley trade it for a gsm variety

 

[sikclown]

check out the top left hand side... if it lacks a sim card tray that will tell you without a doubt it wont work no way any gsm phone will work without a sim card

for the price id grab it. you can always resell or possibley trade it for a gsm variety

All versions of the One have Sim card slot on the left hand side. Theoretically if you get the Sprint version sim unlocked by Sprint, you could get it on AT&T or T-Mobile's slower data but why live with a handicapped phone? You would not be able to use LTE or HSPA+.

 

[andyacecandy]

So, I called the Sprint international department and got it unlocked. Took about a week.

Can I use it for T Mobile and AT&T now?

 

[jhtalisman]

So, I called the Sprint international department and got it unlocked. Took about a week.

Can I use it for T Mobile and AT&T now?

No. It does not have the radios for their networks.

 

[SolApathy]

The device is world phone and supports overseas int'l roaming frequencies, it does not work on GSM/HSPA/UTMS freqiencies domestically so it cannot be used on AT&T or TMobile (though when in GSM mode it can see AT&T/TMobile)

I went overseas (Oberhausen Germany) last month and took the One with me it had no issues roaming on O2 or Vodaphone. I can say I was not SIM unlocked (dreaded 90 day rule) but it worked great. Had Data and everything. Of course my Bill when I got back was about $250. But well worth it. Can't wait until I am unlocked in a few weeks so I can just pop a SIM in when I'm travelling overseas.

 

[scotty85]

The device is world phone and supports overseas int'l roaming frequencies, it does not work on GSM/HSPA/UTMS freqiencies domestically so it cannot be used on AT&T or TMobile (though when in GSM mode it can see AT&T/TMobile)

that doesnt make sense. if the phone is unlocked,then GSM/HSPA/UTMS are GSM/HSPA/UTMS... how does the phone know if its domestic GSM/HSPA/UTMS or vodaphone overseas?

verizons world phones work on att and t mobile. no reason a sprint world phone wouldnt also.

 

[sikclown]

that doesnt make sense. if the phone is unlocked,then GSM/HSPA/UTMS are GSM/HSPA/UTMS... how does the phone know if its domestic GSM/HSPA/UTMS or vodaphone overseas?

verizons world phones work on att and t mobile. no reason a sprint world phone wouldnt also.

To my knowledge, Sprint Unlocked World Phones will not accept a T-Mobile or an AT&T SIM card. Or at least that is their standard response to the question. As I have said before, Sprint has the hardware to use AT&T and T-Mobile theoretically but it could only take advantage of their slower data and no LTE.

 

[SolApathy]

It's a software based restriction that does not allow for the other SIM's to work with the phone. However even if that restriction is bypassed you can't utilize the high speed data because the Sprint version does not support those frequencies.

 

[st_7]

I am able to get my Sprint HTC One to accept my RUIM(CDMA-SIM) of one of CDMA network provider in my country, by making Sprint HTC One to read from RUIM only. Calls, Text & Data is working. The only issue is that it is continuously staying in 'Digital Roaming' or 'Roaming', although I've not been charged any roaming charges by my (RUIM)network provider, all the calls, text are being charged normally with absolutely no roaming charges. And another interesting thing is that if I stop roaming by going into Settings-->Mobile Data-->Roaming & selecting 'Home Only', the phone completely stops receiving signal. I don't know why it still needs that Roaming part to be active even though it is not truly in roaming & I was only charged as per normal rates by my (RUIM) Networ provider & again absolutely no roaming charges. And there is no issue with GSM but with CDMA mode you get that 'Digital Roaming'. I hope some one experienced shed some light on this & suggest a solution for this only issue, which although doesn't stop me(us) using RUIM based CDMA Network in my(our) country(ies).

Please take a look at the attached screenshots which prove that data is also working.

 

[SolApathy]

Hey there Thank you for sharing!

Please help us by specifying the country you are in. There are quite a few countries (Over 100 the last I checked) that use CDMA2000. Some of these countries have roaming agreements with carriers like Sprint and Verizon, which is why your service works. I am betting if you put your Sprint SIM in and activated your cell phone with them & activated international calling with Sprint service you would be able to ROAM and connect to the same networks. If you provide the country information we could clarify this.

That is why your phone is working, and also why it is showing you in "ROAM" ▲

 

[st_7]

Spoiler

Hey there Thank you for sharing!

Please help us by specifying the country you are in. There are quite a few countries (Over 100 the last I checked) that use CDMA2000. Some of these countries have roaming agreements with carriers like Sprint and Verizon, which is why your service works. I am betting if you put your Sprint SIM in and activated your cell phone with them & activated international calling with Sprint service you would be able to ROAM and connect to the same networks. If you provide the country information we could clarify this.

That is why your phone is working, and also why it is showing you in "ROAM" ▲

Thanks for your answer, I'm from India and my operator uses 800Mhz for voice & 2000Mhz frequency for EVDO data, see here and I bought this phone on ebay as 'BAD ESN' phone, I don't have Sprint SIM to check it out if it still stays in the roaming. Lets say that it is ROAMING on Sprint account then Why am I charged for calls, Text & data according to the plans provided by RUIM provider(my operator), it should not be done right, all the charges should be made by Sprint on the account that it is active.

That's where I'm confused, why am I charged by my local network provider for calls, text & data(according to the plans active on my RUIM) if it is just Roaming on their account. And in other case, why is it still needs Roaming to be active if it is using the local network provider.

 

[SolApathy]

Well, being that it is a bad ESN you cannot add it to a Sprint account which means either:
-The phone is still on someone else's account
-There is an unpaid balance on the account the phone is attached to
-The phone was reported stolen
______________________________
As far as the Roaming is concerned You are not connected to the native provider for the phone (Sprint) so you are technically roaming.

 

[st_7]

Well, being that it is a bad ESN you cannot add it to a Sprint account which means either:
-The phone is still on someone else's account
-There is an unpaid balance on the account the phone is attached to
-The phone was reported stolen
______________________________
As far as the Roaming is concerned You are not connected to the native provider for the phone (Sprint) so you are technically roaming.

Thanks for replying again, I do know what is Bad ESN phone & it looks like the seller(who sold it to me on ebay) is the original owner of this phone(this is new phone with BAD ESN), as I can clearly see his name in the 'Account Username' in 'About Phone' Section of Phone Settings. I think he is not gonna make payments that's why he listed the phone as BAD ESN. Any ways I informed the seller that it is 'Roaming' in my country.

But what I can't comprehend is that is it truly roaming on my (RUIM) network provider using the Sprint account(assuming it is still active on sprint account) or is it just working on my (RUIM) network provider.

I've reasons supporting & opposing the both cases, as I'm being charged for the calls, text & data by RUIM provider. After ending a call, or sending a message, I get an immediate message saying so & so much amount is been deducted for the last call or text or data, which is normal for my RUIM prepaid network provider. And all the calls, text & data are being charged at local rates(we do have roaming charges applied if we use a sim card from one state in another state of our country).

As I said in previous post, if I stop CDMA roaming the signal gets lost completely. Reason only phone knows & unfortunately technology is not developed so much that a smart phone is smart enough to express itself(telling why it is doing few things the way it is doing them).

 

[SolApathy]

It is using the account attached to the SIM. The phone will not work with the Sprint SIM due to the bad ESN. You are seeing the roaming symbol because you are using a 3rd party SIM in a Sprint phone. You will not get any signal when not in Roaming mode because when you are in "no roaming mode" it is only looking for Sprint towers which don't exist where you are.

 

[st_7]

It is using the account attached to the SIM. The phone will not work with the Sprint SIM due to the bad ESN. You are seeing the roaming symbol because you are using a 3rd party SIM in a Sprint phone. You will not get any signal when not in Roaming mode because when you are in "no roaming mode" it is only looking for Sprint towers which don't exist where you are.

So you say that the phone will continue to work with RUIM irrespective of the fact that the services of the Sprint account it is attached(assuming it is) are suspended. I did receive a message the first time I put sim & connected that the service will soon be suspended or something like that, which looked like from sprint, I can't remember exactly though.

 

[SolApathy]

It will work as long as Sprint does not share bad ESN information with the carrier you use and that carrier refuses service due to a reciprocal agreement with Sprint. This is rare on the international side. so you are most likely just fine.