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ImprezaSTi
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:24 PM
Is it true that you can use an unlocked GSM phone on a CDMA network?

I currently have two phones, an unlocked Sony Ericsson phone and a Telus phone still on contract. If it is true, then I would be able to use my Sony Ericsson phone with the Telus contract?

crazdefool
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:39 PM
can't be done. there may be a dual gsm/cdma phone but you would know if you had one.

Kwirky
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:47 PM
can't be done. there may be a dual gsm/cdma phone but you would know if you had one.

+1 can't be done.

Incidentally, the only GSM/CDMA phone I'm aware of is the Moto A840, but that uses 1800/900MHz for the GSM portion so won't work on North American GSM providers anyway.

cwb27
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:50 PM
Completely different frequency use and protocols.

Nope, never, ever ever.

ImprezaSTi
Apr 2nd, 2007, 12:47 AM
I read on another forum that a guy bought a unlocked blackberry pearl and used it with Telus ?

mahpoaht
Apr 2nd, 2007, 12:54 AM
I read on another forum that a guy bought a unlocked blackberry pearl and used it with Telus ?

Probably bs, they are completely different technology.

cwb27
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:41 AM
I read on another forum that a guy bought a unlocked blackberry pearl and used it with Telus ?

There is no such thing as an unlocked CDMA phone, 'unbranded' is more of a correct word, but even if you have had an unbranded phone nether Bell or Telus allow foreign phones onto their networks.

hytong
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:44 AM
signup up with a free phone/device then clone the ESN onto your own device

Paolo
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:44 AM
a GSM Phone will get "NO SERVICE" On a CDMA Network.

A gsm phone needs a sim card to operate, cdma carriers only offer sim cards for international roaming, which is not what your lookin for.

cwb27
Apr 2nd, 2007, 09:40 AM
signup up with a free phone/device then clone the ESN onto your own device

Yes, possible. But apparently very easily detected by the carriers (Bell and Telus) Getting caught doing this will get you banned from network and you'll have to pay contract termination fees.



a GSM Phone will get "NO SERVICE" On a CDMA Network.

A gsm phone needs a sim card to operate, cdma carriers only offer sim cards for international roaming, which is not what your lookin for.

Don't mean to play symantecs, but a GSM phone will show No Service as there is no GSM service, regardless of the presence of a CDMA network.

Telus' Global Roaming phone is a dual band GSM/CDMA phone hence why it takes the SIM card.

Harkonnen
Apr 2nd, 2007, 10:44 AM
The technologies (GSM and CDMA) are inherently different, and it's not possible to have one type of phone work on another's network.

A dual mode phone (GSM chipset/CDMA chipset on one phone) will work, but are specifically made so that the GSM radio portion will only work overseas where frequencies allow.

The GSM standard has 4 main frequency bands (800(850)Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, and 1900Mhz), two bands are predominantly used in North America (800(850)Mhz and 1900Mhz) whereas 900Mhz and 1800Mhz are used overseas. Dual mode phones do not have a GSM chipset that will work in North America to my knowledge (ie only come in 900Mhz and 1800Mhz tuned radios).

jyeung
Apr 2nd, 2007, 11:09 AM
It's impossible to use a GSM phone on CDMA and vice versa as they are completely different technologies.

If someone says they can use a Pearl on a CDMA network...then either:

1) It's BS (most likely)
2) They have some CDMA Pearl that RIM's developing

A GSM phone CANNOT use a CDMA network in any way.

- Jason