Unlocking using Rebel SIM card II - mixed results :(

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New information:
It turns out that my initial enthusiasm was unfounded.
I can confirm that Rebel firmware versions 1.1 and 1.2 produce an "invalid SIM" error. Version 1.3 beta and 1.0 work initially on 2G, but further testing reveals the following problems:
- incoming calls not always received, sometimes they go straight to voicemail
- call display shows "Unknown" for certain out-of-network callers
- phone will be connected to network for several hours, anywhere from 2 to 18, but once it loses signal it can't get back on until you pop out the SIM, put it in another phone WITHOUT the Rebel SIM, make a call, send a text, leave it for 15 minutes, and then try all over again
- based on my limited testing, you can't connect AT ALL to a 3G-only network (that is, Wind and Mobilicity in Canada)... this is consistent with reports about the Rebel SIM on Android devices having issues with 3G and needing to connect on 2G first

I am sorry to anyone who jumped at any purchases as a result of my previous test results. Personally, it is with great disappointment that I'm returning my Venue Pro to Dell.

I can now confirm the only method for SIM unlock of the Dell Venue Pro (locked to T-mobile US): buy the Rebel SIM II. You can use it with your non-Tmobile SIM to send and receive calls, SMS and data! But no MMS

You will need:
Rebel SIM II (http://rebelsimcard.com/virtu/index....d=445&Itemid=1)
Rebel Compact Programmer (http://rebelsimcard.com/virtu/index....emart&Itemid=1)
You may also want to get the SIM cutter, which is just a fancy hole puncher - and if you're getting that, maybe one of the bundled options is best. But I used an exacto-knife to cut a notch in my SIM card.

Buy these and get them shipped to your house. (Mine took exactly one week to arrive from UK to Canada using Royal Mail, but I'm pretty close to a customs point of entry.) DHL and FedEx shipping options will be faster but more expensive.

The Rebel SIM II comes preloaded with firmware v1.2 - you will need to downgrade the firmware to v1 (http://rebelsimcard.com/virtu/images...l-II_v1.cardfm) using the USB compact programmer. Follow the instructions on Rebel SIM's site.

Go to cellular settings and manually select your network - it will take time to find it. Once that is connected, test out the calling and texting with a friend.

Now go back into cellular settings and click Add APN, filling in the data APN address, username and password for your carrier. After that, enable data roaming, and then enable the data connection.

EDIT: if you get booted off the network after a while, try reprogramming the Rebel SIM with firmware beta v1.3 - it worked for me after making one outgoing call and sending one text message

My experience

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I'm on Rogers Canada - a network with 850/1900 MHz EDGE, and 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSPA. Obviously I am stuck on 2G with the Venue Pro, but that's okay for now.

I ordered the above-listed products from Rebel SIM last week. I used an exacto-knife to cut a notch in the plastic end of my SIM card where the Rebel chip sticks up. Then I tried the whole thing with firmware v1.2 which comes pre-programmed on the phone, but I got an "Invalid SIM" message.

I programmed the Rebel SIM with firmware v1, and it has unlocked my Venue Pro. Now I can send/receive calls, texts, and data. I used the APN settings APN: internet.com , username: wapuser1 , password: wap . As soon as I enabled data roaming, a little "E" popped up beside my signal bars. Now I have cellular data. (EDIT: I had to switch the Rebel to beta firmware v1.3 after getting kicked off the network 18 hours later)

I'm not going to bother bugging T-mobile and Dell for an unlock code, like so many others have. Do you know why? Just look at the Dell Streak for AT&T - there are no unlock codes, and only one user (ONE!) was able to get it by talking to a string of different managers and escalating the problem through a lucky combination of people. Dell went on to sell the Streak through other global carriers and those people have been able to get unlock codes... but as far as I can tell, the only solution available for the AT&T-locked Dell Streak is Rebel SIM II. That, plus a mail-in service the same company has just started... basically they've found a way to crack the unlock code over USB.

I predict the same thing will happen with the Venue Pro. The European devices will eventually get unlock codes, either through their carriers or through third-party sites. But those of us who bought the first batch from Dell.com will be stuck with the Rebel SIM... until somebody finds a way to hack the Venue Pro into giving up its own unlock code directly.

Meantime, we can hope that the Euro-made DVP comes with some useful new software bits that we can extract as XAP files and sideload onto our devices... like an Auto Device Config (ADC) and/or MMS settings app. I can live without MMS until then.

Don't get me wrong - I think Dell's behaviour is totally wrong here. But they're a tough nut to crack, and plenty of Dell Streak users have come before us and faced the same disappointments. We're lucky the Rebel SIM works.

I am using a sim hack similar to RebelSim from my previous phone, (Sharp 904sh), and it works fine with Fido sim card. I'm able to make calls and all that on DVP. However, once I put the sim hack on Mobilicity's Sim card, it won't find the network. Under Network Selection, I can manually choose Mobilicity and CDN Roaming, but the Active Network always shows No Network no matter what I do, I am wondering if RebelSim works with Mobilicity Sim, or my Sim hack is not good enough

Thanks a lot dude

I'm ordering my Rebel SIM II right now

Will this work from t-mobile to ATT ?
I have the samsung but want to use the dell venue pro ?
and if so what bad could happen ? could I damage my sim that is in my Focus ?
if I try this and it does not work will tmobile stop working

Originally Posted by gibbyhome

Will this work from t-mobile to ATT ?
I have the samsung but want to use the dell venue pro ?
and if so what bad could happen ? could I damage my sim that is in my Focus ?
if I try this and it does not work will tmobile stop working

I can confirm it works on ATT. For some reason my data isn't working properly, but it might just be my shoddy coverage right now. I will test it in other areas (non-residential) where the signal is better. APN settings are correct.

Originally Posted by gibbyhome

Will this work from t-mobile to ATT ?
I have the samsung but want to use the dell venue pro ?
and if so what bad could happen ? could I damage my sim that is in my Focus ?
if I try this and it does not work will tmobile stop working

I have no idea - I'm no psychic and I don't work for Rebel SIM! If you follow all instructions correctly (especially those on YouTube regarding the use of the USB SIM programmer; don't try to reprogram your AT&T SIM card) I don't see how anything bad could happen.

The whole point of the Rebel SIM is that it does absolutely nothing permanent or destructive to your phone or your SIM - it just interferes with the communication between the two of them.

benjaminries: Do you think you'll be able to test your RebelSim with Mobilicity Sim card?

EDGE works on ATT, no 3g obviously due to band differences.

Originally Posted by astranagan

benjaminries: Do you think you'll be able to test your RebelSim with Mobilicity Sim card?

If somebody in Toronto gives me a Mobilicy SIM and lets me cut a hole in the plastic part, sure.

Just to let everyone know: after about 18 hours working with the new Rebel SIM, my phone all of a sudden wouldn't connect to the network. Apparently this is a problem with the STK-based firmware.

So I troubleshooted for a while, and eventually decided to try the v1.3 beta firmware. It works for me - after I make an outgoing call and outgoing text, I can get incoming calls/texts... and data works too.

Go figure.