Matt RaibleMatt Raible is a Web Developer and Java Champion. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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Over 10 years ago, I wrote my first blog post. Since then, I've authored books, had kids, traveled the world, found Trish and blogged about it all.

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Monday August 23, 2004

Switching from AT&T to T-Mobile

We recently switched from AT&T to T-Mobile for our cell phone service. There were two reasons for this - the primary one being that AT&T's customer service sucks. Every time we'd call them to get simple issues resolved, it would take upwards of 20 minutes to talk to someone. The 2nd reason we switched is because I ended up paying over $200/month in June and July. This was because I kept using my phone for dial-up while at NFJS and JavaOne. I shoulda had more data (I was at 4MB), but their max is only 12MB, and every time I'd try to change it, I'd get fed up with waiting to talk with someone.

Julie made the switch a few weeks ago. After spending a 1/2 hour on hold (with Abbie crying the whole time) and then AT&T transferring her after she finally talked with someone - she'd had enough. A week later we received new T-Mobile phones. The phones are crap b/c they're the free ones, but they do work and we do have the same numbers. Now my problem is that I'd like to use my T637 with T-Mobile - but everyone seems to be giving me the run-around. I need to "unlock" the phone b/c the T-Mobile SIM causes my phone to display "Invalid SIM".

T-Mobile stores say to take it to AT&T, and AT&T stores say to call customer service. I've called customer service, and after waiting 20 minutes, they said to call Sony Ericsson. Now I come to you my mobile friends - Julie said she saw something on the web were you can send your phones in to get them unlocked. I don't know if it's legal, but I'm willing to do it if I can get my T637 working again. Any advice is appreciated.

Posted in General at Aug 23 2004, 02:48:40 PM MDT 14 Comments
Comments:

Have you looked here: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/sonyericssonunlocking.htm $25 plus S&H

Posted by 169.133.255.4 on August 23, 2004 at 09:26 PM MDT #

It's legal but there is a way around it. Check ebay - there are some enterprising souls who have the unlock keys. It's gonna cost you a little , but at least you won't be held hostage. Good luck.

Posted by Grego on August 23, 2004 at 10:16 PM MDT #

I looked into this when I bought a new phone and discovered that T-Mobile is supposed to be able to unlock phones free of charge. I don't remember the details, but I seem to recall that the unlock code might be all zeros. It can't hurt to try it.

Posted by Bruce on August 23, 2004 at 11:13 PM MDT #

Matt, If you do not have any luck with the T637, T-Mobile has a special on now where you can bet the Motorola V300 for $0 after rebate. If you are still within your 15 days you might see if you can switch (insist on it). Its the best phone I've ever had, solid, good function, builtin Java. The screen is very, very readable and nice and bright. Battery life is great.

Posted by Richard on August 24, 2004 at 03:50 AM MDT #

Good to see there are still some Americans supporting Germany :-)

Posted by Lars Fischer on August 24, 2004 at 08:20 AM MDT #

Good choice. I really like it how T-Mobile is doing pretty well in the US. Good luck with your T637. Sim locking really sucks.

Posted by Karsten Voges on August 24, 2004 at 10:09 AM MDT #

Probably this will do the trick without sending it anywhere: http://simlock.techgsm.com/simlock/ (a friend of mine told me it works, but I have no idea which phone)

Posted by Thomas Heller on August 24, 2004 at 12:59 PM MDT #

The locking is the phone; if you got it from AT&T, they will have locked it to only work with their SIM cards. The official operator shops usually don't want to unlock them, but you can often find someone who can/will. Here in London it's pretty easy, there are plenty of dodgy little booths selling phone covers and similar junk, and they can do it for you (or run the phone to some other dodgy little shop that will). You might also try an independent phone shop, i.e. one who sells multiple brands. Smaller, independent shops are probably more useful than chains with clueless staff.

Posted by Kief on August 24, 2004 at 01:11 PM MDT #

http://www.howardchui.com/ One of the best forums for mobile devices.

Posted by W.Chan on August 25, 2004 at 02:53 PM MDT #

Bruce, T-Mobile will unlock their own phones, but they won't have the codes to unlock AT&T ones.
Matt, I think you will be happy with T-Mobile, I made the switch from AT&T last year for the same reasons and am very satisfied.

Posted by James A. Hillyerd on August 25, 2004 at 07:01 PM MDT #

Something you may want to consider before switching because of customer service reasons... http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/tmobile-sidekick-ii-review-best-phone-ill-never-buy-019948.php

Posted by Dan Cox on August 27, 2004 at 08:12 PM MDT #

Did you ever get your t637 to work with T-Mobile? I am curious if the fact that T-mobile uses different bands 900/1800/1900 and the t637 is 850/1800/1900 had any effect. I have just purchased this phone and will be deciding on a provider in the next day. Currently using att but it is time to go.

Posted by Jeff Lord on December 14, 2004 at 06:02 AM MST #

Did you ever get your t637 to work with T-Mobile? I am curious if the fact that T-mobile uses different bands 900/1800/1900 and the t637 is 850/1800/1900 had any effect. I have just purchased this phone and will be deciding on a provider in the next day. Currently using att but it is time to go.

Posted by Jeff Lord on December 14, 2004 at 06:03 AM MST #

my name is wale samuel l am from nigeria l wish to support you

Posted by wale samuel on February 05, 2005 at 09:06 PM MST #

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