[Q] Which prepaid plan can I use with my Motorola Photon 4G in the US?

C

Chris300HP

New member

Sep 23, 2011

4

0

Buenos Aires

• Dec 4, 2012

• #1

Hi,
I'm planning a trip to Los Angeles, USA in the near future. I bought an unlocked Motorola Photon 4G on Ebay, and currently use it in Argentina. It is in my understanding that USA domestic GSM towers are blocked. I currently have it running Gingerbread 2.3.5. It is also in my understanding that Sprint offers only plans under a contract (Correct me if i'm wrong). What options do i have to use my phone under a prepaid plan with voice, sms and data during my trip?

 

F

findthedr

Senior Member

Apr 4, 2012

158

51

• Dec 5, 2012

• #2

your phone can only be activated on sprint or its affiliate (without grey area ESN flashing). there are a number of sprint MVNOs that offer "bring your own sprint device" as long as the ESN is clean. Without a clean ESN, you are SOL.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1778773-Sprint-mvnos-with-byod-or-getting-it-Listing

 

• 

Reactions: Chris300HP

A

atroph

Senior Member

Sep 14, 2011

448

79

• Dec 5, 2012

• #3

Not entirely true. You should be able to put the kddi radio on 2.3.5 and use any GSM carrier you choose.

...I believe. Let me go read...

Ok here is an important question. Does your phone say unlocked at the top when you first turn it on?

 

Last edited: Dec 5, 2012

maxon_yalta

Senior Member

May 19, 2012

61

26

Sevastopol

• Dec 5, 2012

• #4

You can't unlock bootloader on stock 2.3.5 Photon firmware, so you are not able to flash KDDI radio and wont get GSM service in the US.

 

heywired

Member

Dec 23, 2010

12

3

Kenosha

• Dec 5, 2012

• #5

maxon_yalta said:

You can't unlock bootloader on stock 2.3.5 Photon firmware, so you are not able to flash KDDI radio and wont get GSM service in the US.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

From what I've read you are able to unlock the bootloader on 2.3.5, As long as you didnt update it from 2.3.4 to 2.3.5 with RSD Lite. BUT (if my memory serves me correct) you have to "rollback" or re-flash it with 2.3.4.

SO technically you cant if you still have 2.3.5 on your phone, so in order to unlock the bootloader you just have to re-flash 2.3.4 back on it.

Hope that helps/Makes sense

 

C

Chris300HP

New member

Sep 23, 2011

4

0

Buenos Aires

• Dec 5, 2012

• #6

I already called Sprint and i have a clean esn number. They told me that they offer prepaid services with Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile but you have to buy a phone from them, so i can't use my Motorola Photon with them. I don't want to mess around with my phone to unlock USA GSM bands. The first reply offered me a solution, to go with a virtual operator under the Sprint Network such as Eco Mobile that allows me to bring my Sprint phone.

Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app

 

InsanePostman

Senior Member

Sep 14, 2012

341

68

Milwaukee

• Dec 5, 2012

• #7

As far as I know unless you're on factory 2.3.5 or 2.3.4 and are able to unlock your bootloader, the photon is only able to use international GSM networks. You need to unlock your bootloader and install the KDDI radio to use US GSM networks.

 

J

JHINTON1

New member

Dec 11, 2012

1

1

• Dec 11, 2012

• #8

Check out ting. They have native coverage on Sprint for Voice, SMS, and Data. They also have a roaming agreement with Verizon for voice. If you tell them jasonshinton@yahoo.com referred you we both get a $25 credit.

 

• 

Reactions: tony442

D

DXM31

Senior Member

Jun 18, 2012

79

8

Midlothian

• Dec 11, 2012

• #9

Platinumtel

I bought my Photon off of Craigslist new and activated it on Platinumtel for $40.
The phone needs to have clean ESN and not be on Sprint account.
The later is the hard part, the ESN can be clean but the phone can still be on an account and not be active.
I went through 3 phones from Cowboom to find the last part out, which is why I found a new never activated one.
If the phone is on your account and you still have an account with Sprint you have to call to make sure they take the phone off of Sprint.
I pay about $3.33 a month for PlatinumTel and use Google voice and GrooveIP on wifi.
cheap deal