Hacking cellular radio for increased network capabilities?

[Nandaly]

Here's the question / challenge.

Sprint/Verizon/Telus TP2 has both CDMA and GSM capability. Not sure about Sprint or Verizon, but Telus TP2 uses 2100MHz frequency for their 3G HSPA network. According to HTC, they indicate it uses the "CDMA side" of the phone for the 2100MHz, whereas GSM side only for quadband GSM world capability.

Question: Does the GSM side of this phone connect to higher capability network functionality, i.e., can you get onto GSM carriers HSPA or 3G/3G+ networks via SIM card (including in the US; understanding that an "unlocked" WU vs. WV radio is flashed)

Challenge : Is it possible to unlock further capabiltiy of GSM side to utilize the 2100MHz capability so that you can use 2100MHz HSPA networks through the GSM side.

Thoughts regarding this latter challenge: Is this something that is "programmed" via the SPL and has anyone ever dug into SPL hacking/programming (if so with what tools?), ... and also if you look at stock ROMS there is a GSM component in them (yes even in the CDMA carrier verisons), is it possible through this part of the ROM to "re-program" the GSM frequency band "usage".

[Dr.8820]

i'm not a genius, but from what i've read, it's all about the hardware radio. i may be wrong, but that's what i read. gsm carriers here in north america blocked everything, you can still travel and use gsm 3g...just not in the states .

[boredandtattooed]

if your staying in US, youll only be able to use EDGE, not 3G...

Now its been several years since my "bad days", but I did learn this... Cell Phones have a fail safe against Cloning in certain fashions.. you try to program the wrong Frequency, BOOM! device is toast... this is a Federal Mandate I believe to help combat CLONING.. ill look for some links to support this

Im also willing to bet that the PRL and the RADIO are what you need to mod or find the right ones of,not the SPL... the SPL has been severly looked over the past few years for the Unlockers, someone wouldve noticed if you could do a simple mod like this to hack networks..

now, Sprint and VZW use CDMA: Dual-band 850/1900MHz, CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEVDO rev. A, and IS-95A/B voice or data... GSM side uses 800/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA2100...

and unless you use that carriers branded device, your not getting on anyones HSPA+/3G network, SIM unlock or no SIM unlock.. sorry