VZW TP2 Roaming on AT&T..... SOLVED

[helix139]

Originally Posted by racedog

I just bought a vzw tp2. My reason for wanting the dual phone is different than most. I own my own company. I have two cell phones/numbers. One if for my family and very close friends only, I NEVER use it for business. The second phone/number I use when out of the office, travelling etc. if I need to contact a customer or business associate. The tp2 is perfect for only needing to carry one phone and yet maintain my privacy on my personal cell line and yet have my more public cell number/phone available without having to carry two phones, two chargers etc.

Here's the part I don't quite understand. The phone has settings for CDMA, another for GSM and the third is Global. The tp2 came defaulted to the Global setting but the phone is on vzw and running CDMA. What happens if I get the phone unlocked and it is running on vzw on the Global setting and a call comes in to the GSM line?

I can see a number of available scenarios that can be used to work around different issues. E.G., a call comes in to the GSM number but doesn't go through because the phone is on CDMA, I can set up a text msg notifier to my vzw number that will tell me that I had a call and I can return it right away. Same if I'm on GSM and a call comes in to the CDMA carrier. But with the Global setting I don't know what would happen there.

A lot of interesting possibilities here for practical use for me so I'm anxious to see where this thread goes and what info can be found out as to how this is all going to work.

R

As far as I understand, Global defaults to the CDMA radio. When there is no CDMA network available, it will switch to the GSM radio. CDMA and GSM modes simply lock to the selected radio exclusively. The radios never operate at the same time.

[grandpanda]

Have you tried ATT's data service while in GSM mode?

Originally Posted by leanne

I can call with my AT&T sim and it shows up as my AT&T number

[scott8357]

I have the VZW TP2 and I also have a TMO account from when I got the G1...I called this morning and got the SIM unlock codes. Inserted TMO SIM and voila...I have to put the phone in GSM only mode and the phone registers on TMO no problem (edge only) it will send and recieve calls txts, basically everything the G1 did minus 3G...Problem is the CDMA number goes offline while in GSM mode and vice versa. Also, Global mode defaults to "look" for vzw cmda before looking for a gsm substitue. I think it would be awesome if a custom rom will allow for both radios to be alive at the same time, then you could set up all kinds of preference scenerios to tell it which network to use for what activity, Fingers Crossed!

[imnuts]

Originally Posted by scott8357

I think it would be awesome if a custom rom will allow for both radios to be alive at the same time, then you could set up all kinds of preference scenerios to tell it which network to use for what activity, Fingers Crossed!

The way I understand it from other posts, this is a radio/firmware limitation and custom ROMs won't affect the functionality, so you're always going to have either CDMA or GSM, not both at the same time. The issue would be, how do you work with calls coming to 2 numbers on the same device, and how would you determine which number to call people from. Then, what if you're going along with a call on CDMA, lose coverage and only GSM is available (or the other way around), how would you switch radio types mid-call? It would require a lot of re-programming of the functionality of the device/radio itself.

[WhiteBlazer01]

Sorry guys, I have to bump to ask a few question. I'll make it easy to reply to each questions. I travel a lot, but would like to know more about the VZW unlock to use local GSM.

What do I need to do to unlock my VZW TP2 for SIM use?
- I have to call VZW and ask for 2 unlock codes?
- What does this do? Unlocks the VZW TP2 so I can use the VZW provided SIM card in other countries, or I can use another int'l SIM card?

Is my GSM capabilities locked (for int'l use) until I call VZW support?
Will I be able to technically use AT&T SIM card on US-GSM networks without roaming?

Should I use the VZW-provided SIM, or get a pre-paid int'l card? (I assume pre-paid is best/cheaper).


I ask because I'm traveling soon. Thanks!

[8notime]

Originally Posted by WhiteBlazer01

Sorry guys, I have to bump to ask a few question. I'll make it easy to reply to each questions. I travel a lot, but would like to know more about the VZW unlock to use local GSM.

What do I need to do to unlock my VZW TP2 for SIM use?
- I have to call VZW and ask for 2 unlock codes?
- What does this do? Unlocks the VZW TP2 so I can use the VZW provided SIM card in other countries, or I can use another int'l SIM card?

Is my GSM capabilities locked (for int'l use) until I call VZW support?
Will I be able to technically use AT&T SIM card on US-GSM networks without roaming?

Should I use the VZW-provided SIM, or get a pre-paid int'l card? (I assume pre-paid is best/cheaper).


I ask because I'm traveling soon. Thanks!

You need to call them if you want to unlock the phone to use 3rd party SIM cards, other than the one pre-installed in the phone, including US based SIM cards. The billing is handled through the SIM card provider in which you select. Pre-paid will be cheaper internationally, but check Verizon's website for rate info.

[ittech]

I may start actually using my google voice number now...

I can have that number go to both my verizon account and my tmobile prepaid account now that I can use both in the phone and swap between them. That takes care of SMS forwarding as well.

Another option is I may just manually call forward my tmobile to my verizon number, then switch to verizon and when i switch back to tmobile, forward my verizon number to tmobile and then turn off forwarding when on the tmobile number.

I used to play that back and forth forwarding game all the time when I had dual nams on GTE.

[r3nzo]

I am currently a tmo user who wants to use a vzw tp2. My plan is to have someone who is a verizon customer to activate and unlock the phone for me. My question is, would the phone still work with my tmo gsm sim after the phone is deactivated with verizon?

[wesscoggin]

I don't think it would be disabled once disconnected from a VZW account. The unlock code is a number entered directly into the phone (derived from the meid or esn). You should be aware that if your friend wants to unlock another phone they will have to wait another 10 months before doing so on that line. That is until we find a way around verizon to do it.

[r3nzo]

would i be able use sprint service on a verizon tp2 since they both use CDMA?

would i be able to use 3G with any other service besides verizon?