Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks?

[bo_woods]

Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

I know the limitations of CDMA and GSM playing nicely with each other, but with networks like Verizon being forced to make their devices GSM unlocked out of the box, is this still impossible with Sprint?

I'm guessing the answer is sadly no considering a quick bing search shows no promising results, but still...

 

[Jazmac]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

My question for you is, do you know of a CDMA device that works on a GSM platform or visa versa?

 

[bo_woods]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

My question for you is, do you know of a CDMA device that works on a GSM platform or visa versa?

Pretty much a giant ton of Verizon devices that have been released in the past few years such as the Nokia Lumia ICON, Note 4, LG G3 etc.

 

[bo_woods]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

And then there are devices that are sold directly from the manufacturer and work out of the box on CDMA & GSM networks all over the world such as the Nexus 6P

 

[Jazmac]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

Pretty much a giant ton of Verizon devices that have been released in the past few years such as the Nokia Lumia ICON, Note 4, LG G3 etc.

A giant ton?? Well now. You've seen a GSM device work on Sprints CDMA network? Are you guessing or you know for a fact that sprint (CDMA) activates Verizon (GSM) phones on its network?

 

[bo_woods]

A giant ton?? Well now. You've seen a GSM device work on Sprints CDMA network? Are you guessing or you know for a fact that sprint (CDMA) activates Verizon (GSM) phones on its network?

My original post is simply asking if Sprint phones can work on GSM networks as of now? And I mentioned that there are a ton of Verizon devices that can work on GSM networks because they come unlocked put of the box to compare.

I don't know where your going with all of this. I never said Sprint phones activate Verizon devices on their network.

 

[tgp]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

My original post is simply asking if Sprint phones can work on GSM networks as of now?

Yes, it it technically possible. Sprint, like Verizon, utilizes LTE which requires GSM capabilities. As long as the device has a clean IMEI and is fully paid for, Sprint is required by law to provide the unlock code. It should then work on any GSM network. The difference between Sprint and Verizon is that Verizon is not allowed to SIM lock their phones, but Sprint can and does.

As a tip, if you request an unlock code from Sprint, be sure to specify that you want the MSL (Master Subsidy Lock) code, rather than DSU (Domestic SIM Unlock) or ISU (International SIM Unlock).

 

[Jazmac]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

My original post is simply asking if Sprint phones can work on GSM networks as of now? And I mentioned that there are a ton of Verizon devices that can work on GSM networks because they come unlocked put of the box to compare.

I don't know where your going with all of this. I never said Sprint phones activate Verizon devices on their network.

Let me stop here then because I thought I read your question asking if CDMA can work on GSM. Carry on.

 

[RumoredNow]

I'd research each model on a case by case basis and see what usable GSM radios might be on board.

For example, the CDMA variant of Lumia 635 that sold for Sprint, Boost and Virgin has GSM (2G) all bands/frequencies, WCDMA (3G) 850/1900/2100 MHz and LTE bands 25/26/41.

So no LTE off of Sprint and no H+ on T-Mo areas not yet refarmed to LTE.

Nokia Lumia 635 (CDMA) Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)


Best this device will do would be H+ on AT&T or an ATT mvno. T-Mo towers might have it stuck on EDGE in some areas.

 

[bo_woods]

I'd research each model on a case by case basis and see what usable GSM radios might be on board.

For example, the CDMA variant of Lumia 635 that sold for Sprint, Boost and Virgin has GSM (2G) all bands/frequencies, WCDMA (3G) 850/1900/2100 MHz and LTE bands 25/26/41.

So no LTE off of Sprint and no H+ on T-Mo areas not yet refarmed to LTE.

Nokia Lumia 635 (CDMA) Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)


Best this device will do would be H+ on AT&T or an ATT mvno. T-Mo towers might have it stuck on EDGE in some areas.

I was looking at the HTC One M9 for sprint and can't seem to find the Sprint variants bands in specific anywhere...

If it uses 850 & 1900mhz I'm good, right? For use on AT&T that is

 

[RumoredNow]

Yep.

Here is a quick guide: GSM World Coverage Map- GSM Country List by frequency bands

And this is more detailed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_the_Americas#United_States

 

[bo_woods]

Yep.

Here is a quick guide: GSM World Coverage Map- GSM Country List by frequency bands

And this is more detailed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_the_Americas#United_States

So 1900mhz, 1700mhz, and 700mhz are repsonsible for LTE with AT&T...

Now if only I could find out the frequencies the Sprint HTC ONE M9 uses... Hmmmm

So far i know the 1900mhz band is a match

 

[Palm_forlackofchoice]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

Yes, it it technically possible. Sprint, like Verizon, utilizes LTE which requires GSM capabilities. As long as the device has a clean IMEI and is fully paid for, Sprint is required by law to provide the unlock code. It should then work on any GSM network. The difference between Sprint and Verizon is that Verizon is not allowed to SIM lock their phones, but Sprint can and does.

As a tip, if you request an unlock code from Sprint, be sure to specify that you want the MSL (Master Subsidy Lock) code, rather than DSU (Domestic SIM Unlock) or ISU (International SIM Unlock).

Ok, I have a sprint Lumia 635 and sprint gave me the msl code.
How do iI unlock it so my cricket sim will work?
Thank you

 

[tgp]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

Ok, I have a sprint Lumia 635 and sprint gave me the msl code.
How do iI unlock it so my cricket sim will work?
Thank you

Put your Cricket SIM card in it and boot it up. You should see a message giving further direction.

 

[Palm_forlackofchoice]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

Put your Cricket SIM card in it and boot it up. You should see a message giving further direction.

Thanks, I have done that. No message and phone says it is on Sprint network.

 

[RumoredNow]

Try dialing *#7820# and see if that gets you the unlock screen...

 

[Palm_forlackofchoice]

Try dialing *#7820# and see if that gets you the unlock screen...

Unfortunately that didn't work. Nothing happened, I tried some other combinations but got no menu to come up.
This is very disappointing as I thought after all these years Sprint was improving. Guess not, I have been a Sprint customer since July 1999. In the three days I have had a cricket SIM in my sons old Lumia 520 I have enjoyed the good signal, speeds and better battery life.

I will say that my Lumia 635 on Sprint performed flawless while in midland TX two weeks ago. I had great signal, fast speed and battery lasted from 6:30am to 10 pm. I don't get that where I live.

I hope someone can help me get the 635 unlocked, so my daughter can use it. Other daughter will use 520 and I will get a 650 or 950.
Thank you.

 

[Palm_forlackofchoice]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

I now used windows device recovery tool to go back to 8.1.
O still can't find a way to bring up screen for me to enter a unlock code.

There has to be a screen as sprint will allow the SIM unlocked for int. Travel as well.

I have from Sprint the Master subscription lock code (msl). The pin code and the puk code. No one can tell me how to get to screen that I can enter any of these.

I have tried every key code I can find on web in the dialer.

 

[yipsan]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

##7820 # should bring up unlock screen

 

[Palm_forlackofchoice]

Re: Are Sprint phones still unable to be used on GSM networks

##7820 # should bring up unlock screen

No go. I still would like to unlock this for my youngest daughter to use on Cricket. She is still using a Lumia 520 on 8.1. I have windows 10 on the 635.