Does a carrier know

[alexander323bc]

Its been years since I have been on the site and a lot has changed. I tried during a search for this but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. It seems like an obvious question so if I missed the post I am sorry and just point me in the right direction. My question is if a carrier knows if you unlock one of there phone to use on another carrier. Obviously if you get a code from them they know but if you pay for a code that works. Can they tell that the phone is active on another network?

 

[KOLIO]

Its been years since I have been on the site and a lot has changed. I tried during a search for this but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. It seems like an obvious question so if I missed the post I am sorry and just point me in the right direction. My question is if AT&T knows if you unlock one of there phone to use on another carrier. Obviously if you get a code from them they know but if you pay for a code that works. Can they tell that the phone is active on another network?

It makes no difference whether AT&T knows if you're SIM Unlocked via 3rd party provided unlock code.
There's no consequence one way or another.
However,if the phone is still under a finance contract by AT&T or under any unmet contractual obligations (delinquent/past due payments) ,they are well within their right to "Blacklist" the phone,& most any other carrier will not let you use it on their network.

 

[alexander323bc]

It makes no difference whether AT&T knows if you're SIM Unlocked via 3rd party provided unlock code.
There's no consequence one way or another.
However,if the phone is still under a finance contract by AT&T or under any unmet contractual obligations (delinquent/past due payments) ,they are well within their right to "Blacklist" the phone,& most any other carrier will not let you use it on their network.

Ok thanks. I am going to ask my other half to look into it more. Make sure we understand exactly what the stipulations are as far as I understand only they can use the phones but I think that only applies to them being used on said carrier because they dont want them being sold to other people. Thanks for the help.

 

[KOLIO]

Ok thanks. I am going to ask my other half to look into it more. Make sure we understand exactly what the stipulations are as far as I understand only they can use the phones but I think that only applies to them being used on AT&T because they
dont want them being sold to other people. Thanks for the help.

Trust me, it doesn't matter. I've bought AT&T devices, unlocked via 3rd party & used on T-Mobile & MetroPCS,no problem whatsoever.
Provided you're current w/AT&T or, have paid off the phone in full, it's of no consequence what AT&T may like or not like,you're legally allowed to use the phone elsewhere.

If you are in arrears to AT&T, all bets are off & it's within their right to blacklist the phone.
If you are current w/AT&T they will not do this, they have no reason to,or,any legal means to do so, UNLESS YOU OWE THEM MONEY,or HAVE OTHER UNMET CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS........

 

[alexander323bc]

Ok thanks man

 

[KOLIO]

Ok thanks. I am going to ask my other half to look into it more. Make sure we understand exactly what the stipulations are as far as I understand only they can use the phones but I think that only applies to them being used on AT&T because they dont want them being sold to other people. Thanks for the help.

@alexander323bc
Also,if I'm understanding you correctly,you have concerns regarding using/selling an AT&T SIM Unlocked device which may have unmet obligations,whether financial,or otherwise, & the new owner could be at the mercy of the original owner keeping the obligations met until their conclusion,in order to keep the phone free to use by the new owner,whether also w/AT&T or,another carrier.

Yes,it is possible for this scenario to play out w/o incident,but,if you buy a (used) phone & check for a free & clear ESN/IMEI,say from craigslist/e-Bay/other unknown 3rd party,you could possibly fall victim to a scam,the seller becomes delinquent & you're stuck w/a phone that will become blacklisted in the not too distant future.
An insurance claim/scam for a lost phone can play out w/this very same end-result,so,if you're buying such a phone,know/trust your source before diving in.......

 

[alexander323bc]

thanks

 

[KOLIO]

employee's are sent phones that they "have to use" the issue is they send so many that that changing a phone every month gets pretty ridiculous that a lot of these phones are left unused and opened. They are supposed to be sent back but they are just told to hold onto them. So its almost like a waste of good phones laying around not being used. Some of these are 3-4 years old now. The issue is they are strictly told they cant be sold or used by anyone else. Well they are not being sold just used on a different network so they are not being wasted. So was wondering if they are used on another network if they would even know.

Well,I cannot say with 100% certainty whether on not they would know/if the aforementioned phones in question are flagged for use outside of AT&T.
Let's say for instance yes,said usage on another phone number/SIM Card is flagged immediately.
Are there any consequences for doing so?
I can't say,you would know better than I.
But,for the GP,no,there are no consequences for using an AT&T phone on another network.
If the phones are actually the property of someone other than you & you use them for other purposes (you or someone else's service provider other than FOUO) again,IDK if these particular phones are embedded w/something that detects/flags such.There's only one way to find out..........

Just putting this out there:
If one is looking for a work-around to use a phone that is owned by someone else/reported stolen/blacklisted/etc.....,no help is going to be given here,or,elsewhere on this site.
Again,just putting it out there,as this Q&A session has covered all reasonable scenarios ad nauseum.
Only you know if using the phones in question are OK for your specific scenario,what you choose to do is entirely up to you.

 

[Mikestony]

I think we're done here

/thread closed