On 10/5/2013 4:34 PM, BobandMary@escapees.com wrote:
>
>
> Please forgive the iPhone question, but I am hoping someone here has
> an accurate answer.
>
>
> Can I buy a "universal" Unlocked iPhone 5S that will work with ALL US
> carrier's current and planned LTE bands (such as Sprint's new LTE
> band)? I want to replace one of my Android phones on Virgin Mobile,
> but I don't want to buy the iPhone from Virgin Mobile since they say
> it is locked to Sprint. Local Apple store has no idea. And, Vz is no
> help either as my question about buying an unlocked iPhone 5S from
> them and using on VM resulted in a blank stare.
What I was told by my salesman at T-mobile when I bought iPhones for
myself and my kids, was that to unlock the iPhone all I have to do is to
place a request with T-Mobile and tell them I'm going overseas and need
to unlock my iPhone so I can use it over there. They in turn get a
special unlock code from Apple which they pass on to me that unlocks my
phone from T-Mobile and then I can use it with any carrier.
I haven't done it yet, but that's the process as described to me. Since
the unlock code comes from Apple I guess that any carrier can get it for
the iPhones locked to their service.
The secret apparently is in telling them that you're going overseas --
they probably won't be as helpful if they think you want to unlock it to
use with a different carrier here in the U.S.
From the wording in your message, though, the way you use the word
"ALL" I'm wondering if you are thinking that it will simply latch onto
whichever LTE band is available, which won't happen. You will need to
have an account with a specific carrier to use their LTE band.
Also keep in mind that the larges, Verizon and ATT use two different
types of devices, one uses a SIM card and the other doesn't so merely
unlocking your phone won't guarantee that you can use it with a specific
carrier, as I understand things.
Which may be totally wrong -- it won't be the first time.
--
David H. Bailey
dhbailey@davidbaileymusicstudio.com
http://www.davidbaileymusicstudio.com
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