Sprint won't offer iPhone 4S with unlocked micro-SIM card slot
Contrary to initial reports, Sprint will not sell an unlocked micro-SIM version of Apple's iPhone 4S, forcing users to pay roaming fees when traveling abroad.
Earlier reports that Sprint users would be able to take advantage of an unlocked micro-SIM slot, allowing them to use international GSM chips to avoid roaming charges, were quashed by a Sprint representative, according to Ars Technica.
Confusion arose from early reports that both Sprint and Verizon's versions of the 4S would be unlocked.
In theory, an unlocked micro-SIM slot would allow customers to use pre-paid cards on networks outside the U.S., effectively bypassing Sprint's roaming charges. Service representatives have now denied that any such capability will be offered on the company's version of the new Apple handset.
Sprint said that iPhone 4S adopters will be able to roam internationally with the appropriate plan. Apple will launch an unlocked version of their popular device on November 5th, starting at $649, though it will only allow access to GSM networks within the U.S.
Verizon has yet to officially comment on their specific version of the device, however Michelle Mermelstein, a Sprint wireless device public relations representative, said that she believes the CDMA network's unit will work "in the same way."
Earlier reports that Sprint users would be able to take advantage of an unlocked micro-SIM slot, allowing them to use international GSM chips to avoid roaming charges, were quashed by a Sprint representative, according to Ars Technica.
Confusion arose from early reports that both Sprint and Verizon's versions of the 4S would be unlocked.
In theory, an unlocked micro-SIM slot would allow customers to use pre-paid cards on networks outside the U.S., effectively bypassing Sprint's roaming charges. Service representatives have now denied that any such capability will be offered on the company's version of the new Apple handset.
Sprint said that iPhone 4S adopters will be able to roam internationally with the appropriate plan. Apple will launch an unlocked version of their popular device on November 5th, starting at $649, though it will only allow access to GSM networks within the U.S.
Verizon has yet to officially comment on their specific version of the device, however Michelle Mermelstein, a Sprint wireless device public relations representative, said that she believes the CDMA network's unit will work "in the same way."
Comments
Verizon has yet to officially comment on their specific version of the device
Screw all of you telecom morons.
The idea behind one physical device is that you worthless piles of slime don't get your own "versions".
This is abject nonsense.
Screw all of you telecom morons.
The idea behind one physical device is that you worthless piles of slime don't get your own "versions".
This is abject nonsense.
I can't believe what i'm reading. I'm thinking about calling Sprint right now and canceling my order.
Does anyone know if this will be unlockable/jailbreakable??
Does anyone know if this will be unlockable/jailbreakable??
Everything is. It just takes time.
"The unlocked iPhone works only on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S. When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint."
Sigh...macrumors, appleinsider, etc all just re-report each other.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/s...ock-for-intern
Not sure why there's any confusion about this in the news media. From Apple's own website, if you seek information about an unlocked iPhone which is due in November, this is what they tell you:
"The unlocked iPhone works only on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S. When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint."
There hasn't been any confusion about the unlocked version. But most assumed naively that the cdma versions would be able to take advantage of the micro-sim while abroad.
Apple will launch an unlocked version of their popular device on November 5th, starting at $649, though it will only allow access to GSM networks within the U.S.
This doesn't make sense.
This is where TBell lumps Sprint in with the Verizon/AT&T collusion conspiracy.
Screw all of you telecom morons.
The idea behind one physical device is that you worthless piles of slime don't get your own "versions".
This is abject nonsense.
If you can create a better wireless telecom company... go do it yourself! Sounds like you'd have plenty of potential customers available.
Michelle Mermelstein, a Sprint wireless device public relations representative, said that she believes the CDMA network's [Verizon's] unit will work "in the same way."
Except MacWorld has a Verizon rep quoted as saying the opposite. Who are you going to believe has the right info about Verizon's policies, a Sprint public relations rep or a Verizon rep? (Ok, it's kind of a trick question, they may well both be wrong!)
http://www.macworld.com/article/1629...ld_phone_.html
A Verizon spokesperson told me that this is Verizon?s standard policy for all world phones
As for...
Verizon has yet to officially comment on their specific version of the device
Screw all of you telecom morons.
The idea behind one physical device is that you worthless piles of slime don't get your own "versions".
This is abject nonsense.
Except it wasn't a telecom moron who referenced Verizon's "specific version". It was the author or the AI story who said that. I don't have a problem with you calling someone a moron. Just try to call the right person the moron.
Think, then speak (type).
If you can create a better wireless telecom company... go do it yourself! Sounds like you'd have plenty of potential customers available.
Check out http://www.yes.my ...They've got some ex-Sprint execs, ex-AOL staff (don't laugh
Mobile broadband at 2mbps-6mbps down sustained, 4G WiMax.
<doc>Permits for towers? Where we're going, we don't *need* permits...</doc>
This doesn't make sense.
I'm thinking it worded poorly. As I understand AT&T's unlocked iPhone 4S, you get an unlocked "world mode" iPhone that is imited to GSM (and AT&T's UMTS/3GSM) in the US since the CDMA chips will still be unusable. Of course, you'll be able to use those same GSM/UMTS(3GSM) bands around the world where applicable.
There hasn't been any confusion about the unlocked version. But most assumed naively that the cdma versions would be able to take advantage of the micro-sim while abroad.
I feel there has been confusion in the media, because of delayed reports like this one. This could have been reported days ago, when the 4S was first available to order.
Except it wasn't a telecom moron who referenced Verizon's "specific version". It was the author or the AI story who said that. I don't have a problem with you calling someone a moron. Just try to call the right person the moron.
Think, then speak (type).
So? AppleInsider's the one who put the restriction on the Sprint and Verizon iPhones? How could it EVER be read in ANY situation that I'm calling anyone but the telecoms morons for THEIR actions.
Or maybe you're implying that AppleInsider IS the reason there are SIM locks on the CDMA iPhones.
Think, then speak (type).
70% of this world is GSM. Wake up!
In Europe and South/Middle America as well as Canada you can put CDMA phones in your...
That's why I keep T-Mobile and I might go AT&T (as a poor alternative). After all I can buy SIM starter in Europe in many grocery stores and have my phone working in minutes without roaming.
Sprint is CDMA. Where the f... do you think CDMA network exist abroad to have unlocked version of this POS?
Try reading the article.
THE MICRO-SIM is the thing being locked or unlocked.
70% of this world is GSM. Wake up!
Which matters to people with MicroSIMs that now can't use them abroad with their phones that are designed for both CDMA and GSM networks and could very, VERY easily take it.
This is US; what do you expect?
In the rest of the world, different carriers usually just share the same 3G bands, which means you can carry your phone from one carrier to another.
Here we have only 2 GSM carriers and *somehow* they do not share the same 3G band, and thus phones (even after unlock) are usually not portable between them unless you want to be stuck with 2G speed.
AT&T's stopped providing unlock code for any phone now; not just iPhone.
Sprint and Verizon do not even allow you to bring your own phone to the network.
So, do you really expect these great corporations would allow you to escape from using their "cheap" international roaming service and provide you an unlocked phone?