if i buy this unlocked...

[Snake X]

If I buy this HTC vigor unlocked, being that it uses verizons LTE, could I use it on T-Mobile's prepaid plan or am i stuck to verizon even if its unlocked?

 

[rrhartjr]

If I buy this HTC vigor unlocked, being that it uses verizons LTE, could I use it on T-Mobile's prepaid plan or am i stuck to verizon even if its unlocked?

You could only take it to a carrier that uses Verizon's network via roaming agreement, ie: Cricket, MetroPCS.

 

[redraider1]

If I buy this HTC vigor unlocked, being that it uses verizons LTE, could I use it on T-Mobile's prepaid plan or am i stuck to verizon even if its unlocked?

it would only work on verizon's network.

 

[Snake X]

it would only work on verizon's network.

well that sucks..

edit: can I use verizon's $0.99 24 hr prapaid data plan for this phone?

 

[NightAngel79]

well that sucks..

edit: can I use verizon's $0.99 24 hr prapaid data plan for this phone?

possibly if you pay full retail?????

 

[Snake X]

possibly if you pay full retail?????

Yes that is my plan..

 

[NightAngel79]

Yes that is my plan..

still think its highly unlikely

 

[Snake X]

still think its highly unlikely

There was this shop that was able to sell phones such as the HTC sensation 4g unlocked at a mere $345. However, the link was here: http://www.boosteleshop.com/htc-sensation-unlocked.html

but a few days ago the site stopped working.. maybe it'll be back online.

Also i have a max of $500 i can use on this

 

[GoldenBulletXD]

There was this shop that was able to sell phones such as the HTC sensation 4g unlocked at a mere $345. However, the link was here: http://www.boosteleshop.com/htc-sensation-unlocked.html

but a few days ago the site stopped working.. maybe it'll be back online.

Also i have a max of $500 i can use on this

Go for it

 

[vzwuser76]

There was this shop that was able to sell phones such as the HTC sensation 4g unlocked at a mere $345. However, the link was here: http://www.boosteleshop.com/htc-sensation-unlocked.html

but a few days ago the site stopped working.. maybe it'll be back online.

Also i have a max of $500 i can use on this

The difference is the phone you mentioned.

The Vigor is CDMA & LTE whereas the Sensation is GSM & HSPA+. CDMA carriers use ESN numbers to lock their phones to the carrier. GSM phones use a SIM card so that all you have to do to switch to another phone is remove the SIM from the old and put it into the new phone.

Once Verizon switched to LTE it became a little more complicated. While Verizon uses an LTE SIM, it only works on Verizon's network. While switching from one Verizon LTE phone to another is as simple as moving from a GSM phone to another, the SIM is still tied to Verizon which means no switching carriers using the LTE SIM.

Basically Verizon has given LTE subscribers the benefit of being able to switch to another LTE phone easily & without having to dial *228 or calling into CS, while still locking the phone to their network. But that doesn't mean they're gonna let you go to another carrier with the phone they sold you.

 

[Snake X]

The difference is the phone you mentioned.

There was this shop that was able to sell phones such as the HTC sensation 4g unlocked

Also, I thought LTE and HSPA+ were the same? or are they 2 different 4g technologies?

 

[Ibrick]

Also, I thought LTE and HSPA+ were the same? or are they 2 different 4g technologies?

Think of HSPA+ as 3.5g.

Its not new technology, just an evolution of an existing (3g) technology. Kinda like when dialup went from 14.4 to 28.8 or 28.8 to 56k. LTE would be like broadband.

 

[rrhartjr]

The difference is the phone you mentioned.

The Vigor is CDMA & LTE whereas the Sensation is GSM & HSPA+. CDMA carriers use ESN numbers to lock their phones to the carrier. GSM phones use a SIM card so that all you have to do to switch to another phone is remove the SIM from the old and put it into the new phone.

Once Verizon switched to LTE it became a little more complicated. While Verizon uses an LTE SIM, it only works on Verizon's network. While switching from one Verizon LTE phone to another is as simple as moving from a GSM phone to another, the SIM is still tied to Verizon which means no switching carriers using the LTE SIM.

Basically Verizon has given LTE subscribers the benefit of being able to switch to another LTE phone easily & without having to dial *228 or calling into CS, while still locking the phone to their network. But that doesn't mean they're gonna let you go to another carrier with the phone they sold you.

And the SIM only gives you access to the LTE data network.. not voice calling capability.

Verizon does not do cellular voice over LTE.. all that still goes over the 1xRTT network, which requires an authorized ESN in the traditional manner..

 

[vzwuser76]

And the SIM only gives you access to the LTE data network.. not voice calling capability.

Verizon does not do cellular voice over LTE.. all that still goes over the 1xRTT network, which requires an authorized ESN in the traditional manner..

Actually, the voice goes over EVDO (3G). That's how the Tbolt can do simultaneous voice & data (or SVDO). In that case voice uses EVDO and data uses 1xRTT. Verizon could be doing this with all of their phones, but the reason they haven't (and the reason they haven't openly advertised it) is that they feel it would not be a great user experience. While I can understand that (1xRTT is very slow) they should at least give the option.

As far as the LTE SIM, I realize they are not doing voice over LTE (yet) but after you call the 800 number to set up your first LTE device (which registers the SIM on your account), you only need to transfer the SIM card to your next LTE device to switch devices. You do not have to call in every time to a CSR. I assume the SIM has access to the devices ESN when plugged in. Then, since the SIM is registered on your account, it activates the phone on the network that way.

If you go back to a 3G device, you'll have to call in to a CSR to get it accomplished (which will also render your LTE SIM void). The if you decide to go back to an LTE device, you'll again have to call the 800 number to register your new LTE SIM. But again, once you call in to register your LTE SIM the first time, you only need to transfer the SIM from one LTE device to another to swap devices.

I know this because I had the Tbolt, then to a Inc2, & am now looking at a Vigor. That is how the CSR explained what would happen.

On a side note, while VoLTE (voice over LTE) has not been implemented yet, the LG Revolution is capable (it was demoed at MWC2011). During the demo, they said that the absolute earliest we could see this on the customer side would be mid to late 2012. At the rate Verizon is pushing their LTE network, I wouldn't doubt that possibly ending up being a reality.