Options available to leave Sprint??

[darkphoenix2012]

I have the Sprint HTC U11, so am I stuck on only Sprint with this phone? The phone is currently rooted, with an unlocked bootloader. Can I pay it off, unlock it, flash another carrier radio/rom/etc and be on a better network, and fully functional using all frequency bands for that carrier? I read somewhere the hardware is the same for Sprint and Unlocked variants, has this been confirmed? I really hope there is a way to take this phone somewhere else, since the only carrier that offers it on installments is unfortunately Sprint. I initially tried to buy the thing through HTC.com using the PayPal finance option, but they did not approve me for whatever reason.

I have never had Sprint until the HTC U11 and if the U11 were offered via carrier installments on ANY other carrier, I still wouldn't have picked Sprint. I thought I knew what to expect from their so called "coverage" but wow was I mistaken. To call their service bad is a profound understatement. I have never hated a cellular carrier so much until now. Not only is their network coverage spotty, slow and ill, when the power goes out, so does the Sprint service, which leaves me completely helpless in a potential emergency situation.

 

[schmeggy929]

Check out this thread here for SIM Unlock
https://forum.xda-developers.com/u11/how-to/sprint-sim-unlock-t3619042

Does the power go out a lot where you live? If the power outage is large scale and being close to a cell tower of course your coverage would be affected, that's no fault of Sprint. been a Sprint customer for over 20 years, but I guess living in the Tri-state area coverage is not an issue for me.

 

[OMJ]

the Sprint U11 does have the same hardware, but you would need S-OFF (not available yet) to change CID/MID & flash another RUU or firmware, or you could do what schmeggy929 recommended & unlock SIM then use another carriers SIM for service.

 

[darkphoenix2012]

Storms are frequent here, so yes. However Sprints tower is visible from my house and I get full signal. On Vzw, and Tmo I never had a great signal but when the power went out I'd still be able to use it even with a low signal. Sprint I can't even call 911 during power outages, the signal vanishes and I can't even roam to dial 911... If I sim unlock the phone will it get proper frequency bands for other carriers without flashing firmware and a rom, etc? I figured not having S-off would prevent me from using all the necessary bands, it's been a while since I had to do something like this... I hope we get S-off soon.

 

[rom116]

I have T-Mobile, they will buy you out of your contract with Sprint. I have brought over several family members from other carriers to T-Mobile and they love it. I would suggest calling T-Mobile and seeing what your options are. Once you unlock the SIM you can use with whatever carrier.

 

[OMJ]

Sprint may not be too great in your area, but in my area I get great speed and coverage. My work phone is with Verizon, it is no better.



Sent from my unknown using XDA Labs

 

[darkphoenix2012]

If it worked well enough to justify the price I'd keep it. After losing signal in and outdoors in more places than I could count, and after being in several areas where 5 bars of signal resulted in 56k dial up speeds I was irritated. But after talking to customer service yesterday, I'm done with them. 1% within Verizon or hell even Tmobile, it's an absolute lie. If Sprint won't even own up to their own problems with power outages causing service to vanish, then they're never going to improve. CS was rude and insulting repeatedly the last several times too, insisting that their coverage was supreme and I was somehow wrong.