Help bootloader unlocked mean phone is unlocked for GSM?

[robersml]

So I just bought a mint condition Maxx HD phone off of ebay and when it started up it said "bootloader unlocked...."

Does this mean that the phone is now carrier unlocked? or do I still have to do more? My end goal is getting it on ST's GSM or another cheaper CDMA service

 

[jhawkkw]

The bootloader being unlocked and being sim unlocked are independent of each other. However it is easy to test, buy a gsm sim for a different carrier and insert it into the phone. If it asks for a pin/code, it's locked. If not, it's unlocked.

The CDMA part of the phone is locked to the original carrier, so you won't be able to use it on a different carrier unless that carrier is willing to CDMA flash it to their service. You can check is Straight Talk will accept it for CDMA by entering the phone's information here: Phone Information

 

[bolski]

So I just bought a mint condition Maxx HD phone off of ebay and when it started up it said "bootloader unlocked...."

Does this mean that the phone is now carrier unlocked? or do I still have to do more? My end goal is getting it on ST's GSM or another cheaper CDMA service

To further explain what the bootloader unlocking means, it means you now can flash a custom recovery (like TWRP or CWM) onto your phone and then flash custom ROMs that run different kernels than the base kernel on stock.

It also means, you never, ever have to wait for a root exploit if you wish to root your phone. Just flash either TWRP or CWM recovery and boot into the recovery and go into sideload mode and you can use ADB to sideload root to your phone.

If you don't care about rooting, then an unlocked bootloader probably doesn't mean much to you. But, it does give you a path of more flexibility with your phone since you can root it.

 

[Lars]

The phone is carrier unlocked for overseas and there is an edit to allow USA att and T-Mobile as well. Has nothing to do with bl unlock.