hopmedic
Active member
I just chat with Verizon representative. Asking if the Lumia 928 can be unlocked. Here is the chat:
Me: Hi, I bought Nokia Lumia 928 from Verizon without a plan, and I would like to know how can I unlock it?
VZW: Do you have an account with us now?
Me: no..
Me: but i'm planning to get the prepaid plan
VZW: What do you mean unlock the phone?
Me: I can only use that phone using the Verizon sim card right?
Me: cause the device is exclusive to Verizon..
VZW: correct
Me: So I wonder if I can use other carrier sim card with it..
Me: cause I will need it when I go to Malaysia or Singapore later
Me: which I will use local sim card in those country
VZW: We do not support unlocking phones/
Me: means the phone is useless for me?
Me: if I don't have a Verizon sim card..
VZW: Unless you are on a VZW account. Prepaid or contract
Me: even if I have a VZW account, I still can't unlock it?
VZW: What type of phone is it?
Me: Windows Phone: Nokia Lumia 928
Me: just released last week.
VZW: It can be unlocked but we do not support that.
Me: then who support it?
VZW: You would have to have the other carrier out of the country do that for you.
Me: ok then....
Me: thanks.
Me: Bye.
You spoke with someone who doesn't have a clue.
1. 47 CFR 27.16 (e) says that Verizon can't lock the phone to their network:
(e) Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee's standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.
47 CFR 27.16 - Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands. | Title 47 - Telecommunication | Code of Federal Regulations | LII / Legal Information Institute
2. The code for unlocking the phone is right on their website:47 CFR 27.16 - Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands. | Title 47 - Telecommunication | Code of Federal Regulations | LII / Legal Information Institute
My Wireless Device
Your wireless device must comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, be certified for use on our network, and be compatible with your Service. Please be aware that we may change your wireless device's software, applications or programming remotely, without notice. This could affect your stored data, or how you've programmed or use your wireless device. By activating Service that uses a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, you agree we own the intellectual property and software in the SIM card, that we may change the software or other data in the SIM card remotely and without notice, and we may utilize any capacity in the SIM card for administrative, network, business and/or commercial purposes. If you bought a wireless device for Postpay Service from Verizon Wireless that doesn't use a SIM card, and you want to reprogram it for use with another wireless network, the default programming code is set to "000000" or "123456." But please note that your wireless device may not work with another wireless network, or the other wireless carrier may not accept your wireless device on its network. If you activate a wireless device for Prepaid Service, during the first six (6) months after activation, it can only be used for Prepaid Service. The iPhone 4 is configured to work only with the wireless services of Verizon Wireless and may not work on another carrier's network, even after completion of your contract term.
Customer Agreement | Verizon Wireless
3. If you search this very forum, you'll find people using it on other carriers.Your wireless device must comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, be certified for use on our network, and be compatible with your Service. Please be aware that we may change your wireless device's software, applications or programming remotely, without notice. This could affect your stored data, or how you've programmed or use your wireless device. By activating Service that uses a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, you agree we own the intellectual property and software in the SIM card, that we may change the software or other data in the SIM card remotely and without notice, and we may utilize any capacity in the SIM card for administrative, network, business and/or commercial purposes. If you bought a wireless device for Postpay Service from Verizon Wireless that doesn't use a SIM card, and you want to reprogram it for use with another wireless network, the default programming code is set to "000000" or "123456." But please note that your wireless device may not work with another wireless network, or the other wireless carrier may not accept your wireless device on its network. If you activate a wireless device for Prepaid Service, during the first six (6) months after activation, it can only be used for Prepaid Service. The iPhone 4 is configured to work only with the wireless services of Verizon Wireless and may not work on another carrier's network, even after completion of your contract term.
Customer Agreement | Verizon Wireless
The caveat is that no one has gotten MMS or Data to work yet, that I know of. I'm not sure how Verizon can get away with not allowing the APN to be changed, or if perhaps that would change if someone took them to court, but for now, you can't change the APN, so you can't use data or MMS on a different carrier.