(Another) Bell's HSPA Network Question

[xtcnrice]

Hey there. I'm an existing Bell Mobility user as well (yes I know... shame) and I was wondering if anybody knew how this hardware upgrade process works.

I currently have a really crappy Moto KRZR on the CDMA network with Bell. When the HSPA network launches, how would I go about getting a new HSPA-compatible, unlocked phone to work on their network?

Specifically, will they charge me a fortune just to get a "SIM" card from them for me to put into a phone I buy from elsewhere?

Not sure if this is relevant information or not, but my contract is not due until sometime in August next year. I'm willing to pay some sort of fee if I need to, because this phone is driving me nuts. Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

[Lulz]

1) On November 5th, call Bell and tell them you broke your KRZR by accident.
2) Get/Buy a SIM card (shouldn't cost more than $25...if anything should be free)
3) Buy a GSM phone that also supports North American 3G HSPA frequency bands (850/1900MHz)*
4) Insert the SIM card into the phone, and voila, your phone will pick up the Bell/Telus 3G signal. The 2G (GSM) portion of the phone will not work obviously because Bell/Telus do not have a GSM network.

From that point, you will be on Bell/Telus 3G network.
Your phone will not work with old CDMA network (because there are no phones that support CDMA technology and 3G HSPA technology).

[Paolo]

you will also need to change your price plan as packages that include CDMA/EVO data are incompatible with the UMTS/HSPA network/pakiges

[xtcnrice]

1) On November 5th, call Bell and tell them you broke your KRZR by accident.
2) Get/Buy a SIM card (shouldn't cost more than $25...if anything should be free)
3) Buy a GSM phone that also supports North American 3G HSPA frequency bands (850/1900MHz)*
4) Insert the SIM card into the phone, and voila, your phone will pick up the Bell/Telus 3G signal. The 2G (GSM) portion of the phone will not work obviously because Bell/Telus do not have a GSM network.

From that point, you will be on Bell/Telus 3G network.
Your phone will not work with old CDMA network (because there are no phones that support CDMA technology and 3G HSPA technology).

Thanks for your detailed answer. However, what's the real point in part 1)? Are they supposed to do something for me?

you will also need to change your price plan as packages that include CDMA/EVO data are incompatible with the UMTS/HSPA network/pakiges

Thanks for replying.
However, will this be required, given that I'm currently not on any sort of data plan anyways? If this is the case, then chances are I will be losing my retentions deal?

[Lulz]

Thanks for your detailed answer. However, what's the real point in part 1)? Are they supposed to do something for me?

I don't know lol.
I just assumed that if you tell them you want to upgrade (to get a SIM card), they'd pressure you to sign a 3 year term and get one of their phones.

[Paolo]

find out plz how much they are selling their UICC CArds (aka sim cards) for. and is there a fee to do a esn to iccid swap? and do u need to give them the imei of your handset too?

[Jonavin]

It's $5 for the SIM. Usual $35 activation fees apply. You can activate on the SIM only.