The Samsung in question is a GSM phone. Sprint operates on CDMA networks. It's like putting diesel fuel into a regular gasoline-powered car; the technilogies aren't compatible.

Here's a tip- when looking at Samsung phones, the code at the beginning of the model number indicates what network tech it uses: SGH for GSM phones, SCH for CDMA.

Thanks, thats a nice tip to know, but can I use any phone that has been unlocked with sprint service and just for kicks do you know or anyone know what services can allow one to use these types of phones.

Thanks for all of the info!!!

In the US, the major carriers and their respective networks:

GSM
Cingular
T-Mobile (though they don't use the 850 mHz band)

CDMA
Verizon
Sprint

IDEN
Nextel

Presumably, an unlocked phone should work for any carrier on the respective network. However, it's not always 100% as some carriers may put additional locks to get around, or you may not have access to all the network's features (particularly data services).

It's my understanding that Sprint phones will ONLY work with Sprint service, and Sprint service will ONLY work with Sprint phones...unlocking of handsets is strictly for GSM handsets. When I was at Spring, I had a customer purchase the first Nokia handset Sprint offered and demanded an unlock code so he could use it with other carriers. I didn't even know what he MEANT until I worked for T-Mobile.

If youaren;t sure of an answer please don't try to answer it..

Here is the answer to the Question.

SPRINT PCS WILL ONLY ACTIVATE SPRINT PCS PHONES.

When phones are sent from the phone manufacturer to Sprint PCS, Sprint PCS is given a list of each phone's ESN (Electronic Serial Number). Sprint will then places these ESN's into their database. If a customer calls into Sprint and tries to activate a phone with an ESN that is not currently loaded into the database, the account system will reject the ESN and tell the Customer Service Rep that the phone is NOT a Sprint PCS phone and will NOT accept the Change or Activation.

Now Verizon, Cricket, Metro PCS, and Altell work a little differently. They do not preload thier ESN's into thier...
(continues)

Big Poppa said:
If youaren;t sure of an answer please don't try to answer it..



Now Verizon, Cricket, Metro PCS, and Altell work a little differently. They do not preload thier ESN's into thier database. So if you have an unlocked CDMA that has had a new PRL loaded into for the carrier of your choice, then you should be able to, with luck, get is activated on the network. The main trick to doing this, is when thier customer service rep ask for the Make & Model of the phone, Tell them the make & Model of the most comparable model that THEY carry. Like for example. If I took a Sprint PCS Samsung A680 and managed to unlock it, and load a Verizon PRL into the phone, I would tell Verizon I am activating a Samsung A670.

...
(continues)

There are however generic CDMA phones which do not come with any carrier's specific software built in. These are for use on networks such as Western Wireless, Blugrass Cellular and some smaller CDMA PCS carriers. Taking them to one of the major carriers is not a good idea. They will work fine for voice but since they are not pre-loaded with BREW or JAVA2ME they are worthless for data. Furthermore they cannot be programmed over the air, so the PRL cannot be changed which can cost you some serious money in roaming fees.

Yes, I was aware of this. I was simply pointing out that there was no such thing as an unlocked CDMA phone.

Big Poppa said:
If youaren;t sure of an answer please don't try to answer it..

Here is the answer to the Question.

SPRINT PCS WILL ONLY ACTIVATE SPRINT PCS PHONES.

When phones are sent from the phone manufacturer to Sprint PCS, Sprint PCS is given a list of each phone's ESN (Electronic Serial Number). Sprint will then places these ESN's into their database. If a customer calls into Sprint and tries to activate a phone with an ESN that is not currently loaded into the database, the account system will reject the ESN and tell the Customer Service Rep that the phone is NOT a Sprint PCS phone and will NOT accept the Change or Activation.

Now Verizon, Cricket, Metro PCS, and Altell work a little differently. They d

...
(continues)

2 reasons.

reason 1 the phone is a gsm phone it is like trying to use your fm radio to watch tv. just is not possable

second reason. it is not a sprint phone. each phone has what is called an esn electronic serial number. the esn has to be in sprints data baise to work on it's network. the only esns in sprints data baise say sprint on them. so for that reason there is not a singel unlocked phone that will work on sprints network.