Is the HTC One M8 for Windows Verizon locked?

[Phoibos]

I'm planning to import the M8 for Windows, does the phone come carrier unlocked, if I pay the full price, or do I have to unlock it anyway?

 

[Adrynalyne]

All Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked.

 

[Phoibos]

Dankesch?n!

 

[waazzupppp]

Super important to know that you cannot edit the MMS APN on the One M8 for Windows. Also, check on the LTE bands that your provider uses. The One M8 for Windows only has bands 3,4,7 & 13 so you are covered in most areas, but not everywhere. For example, you may or may not have T-Mobile US coverage everywhere - or it may roll back to HSPA+14 on the 1900MHz band if that is the only thing available. You will also need to set the data APN before it will work properly.

 

[Phoibos]

Does the HTC connection setup app work on the M8? (maybe even to change the mms settings, or just for the data setting?)

 

[waazzupppp]

Nope Connection Setup is not available for the M8... Data settings can be changed, but not the MMS...

 

[beigewell]

unfortunately this is the biggest issue with Windows phones. I love my HTC 8x but I purchased from the Microsoft Store and took it home to NZ. I am still unable to send MMS or use it as a wireless hotspot as it is locked down in the boot rom. If only I could change that I would buy a new HTC M8 today. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it is that those 2 key things are locked down when I am not on a Verizon plan and bought the phone outright.

 

[waazzupppp]

Welcome to the US carriers and why unlocked GSM phones are still the best way to go... Unfortunately, there are too many areas where coverage isn't available on anyone but Verizon. Otherwise, anyone that travels is better off getting a completely unlocked GSM handset.

 

[sylau90]

Hi guys, please help. I am from Australia, am I able to use this phone down here? I don't care about MMS or 4g. I just want it to be able to make call,SMS and 3g/3.5g data. That's all.

Hope you guys can help.

 

[waazzupppp]

You should be able to run the device is GSM mode - or Global if you have to... That will bring up the option to edit the APN for data, which you set to your carrier's info. It should run off the 2G/3G/3.5G data connection of your carrier if they are running the 850/1900 bands.

Check with your carrier and post the frequencies they use in order to help get this nailed down a bit more for you.

 

[sylau90]

You should be able to run the device is GSM mode - or Global if you have to... That will bring up the option to edit the APN for data, which you set to your carrier's info. It should run off the 2G/3G/3.5G data connection of your carrier if they are running the 850/1900 bands.

Check with your carrier and post the frequencies they use in order to help get this nailed down a bit more for you.

Hey mate, thanks so much for your reply.

2G

2G, other wise known as GSM, is standard on almost all phones (except CDMA phones in the USA). Most new phones come with quad band GSM support. A quad band GSM phone supports 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz.

2G is old technology and provides a fall back position when 3G coverage is unavailable.

Australian 2G bands:

900Mhz – Telstra, Optus & Vodafone
1800Mhz (Telstra, Optus & Vodafone all use this band for 4G instead)
Telstra plan to switch off all 2G-900 by end of 2016 to make the spectrum available for 4G.

3G

There are several 3G networks operating in Australia. 3G frequencies are usually specified as UMTS/HSDPA or WCDMA frequencies on the mobile phone specifications.

Australian 3G bands:

850MHz (B5) – Telstra, Vodafone
900MHz (B8) – Optus, Vodafone – available in most metro areas on Optus, with both Optus and Vodafone re-farming the 2G 900 spectrum in regional and rural areas
2100MHz (B1) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
4G

Australia is currently using these LTE bands (LTE bandmask in brackets):

2100Mhz (B1) FDD (0000000000000001) – Telstra (a handful of sites), Optus (Tasmania)
1800Mhz (B3) FDD (0000000000000004) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
900Mhz (B8) FDD (0000000000000080) – Telstra (a handful of sites, utilises spectrum previously used by 2G)
2300Mhz (B40) TDD (0000008000000000) – Optus (Vivid wireless spectrum)
700Mhz (B28) FDD (0000000008000000) – Telstra, Optus (switched on early in a couple of cities, will be widespread in 2015)
850Mhz (B5) FDD (000000??????????) – Vodafone (refarming 5Mhz of 3G to 4G across all metro areas by end of 2014)
To follow late 2014:

2600Mhz (B7) FDD (0000000000000040) – Telstra, Optus, TPG?

here is the page with my carrier details (Optus), I think it's supported by the device. But anything is, I have read quite a few post saying that verizon is super slow in delivering updates. So is that possible for me to jump on the developer preview wagon and totally get rid of this update issue? I assume I can get latest and frequent update ( I don't mind bug/ stability issue). And, in developer preview, is it Lumia privilege? or all devices are the same.