Wondering if VM gets WiMax, would you consider flashing a Sprint 4g device to VM? Or be content with the rumored Evo 3D? I've read success posts of it being done now, but without any 4g service... you lose out on speed. I think it would be interesting to have any phone off Sprint and it actually be able to function at its full potential.
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Would you flash other Wimax devices?
- Thread starter fmalcolmr
- Start date
Didn't realize it was illegal (an actual criminal act). So if you want to close thread, go ahead. But I've read tons of posts on here regarding unlocking phones (gsm) and haven't seen anyone told it was illegal and stop posting about it.
I know the forum isn't the final word on laws, but it seems ridiculous if you think about it... for it to be illegal. If I've paid for a device already (from another carrier and it works) and I'm paying for monthly service, why is that illegal? The cable company doesn't tell me I have to buy a special tv from them, land-line phone companies don't specify a receiver, and my high speed internet provider doesn't say I must have a Mac or only a PC. Only thing that makes sense is that it's purely for financial gain, I just don't see why it's illegal.
Not sure if talking about something illegal (from a logical perspective) is against forum policies. If it is, it's somewhat disappointing... but i apologize, it wasn't my intention to do so.
I know the forum isn't the final word on laws, but it seems ridiculous if you think about it... for it to be illegal. If I've paid for a device already (from another carrier and it works) and I'm paying for monthly service, why is that illegal? The cable company doesn't tell me I have to buy a special tv from them, land-line phone companies don't specify a receiver, and my high speed internet provider doesn't say I must have a Mac or only a PC. Only thing that makes sense is that it's purely for financial gain, I just don't see why it's illegal.
Not sure if talking about something illegal (from a logical perspective) is against forum policies. If it is, it's somewhat disappointing... but i apologize, it wasn't my intention to do so.
Thanks, fmalcolmr--we don't always know what a member's intent is and just want to err on the side of caution when this subject is brought-up (it raises the radar for a lot of folks), so please know that its not simply directed at you, per se.
I think the issue would boil down to if one is modifying one's device (in whatever manner) to use the services of another company without their consent / notification and/or proper compensation.
I'm not an expert by any means, but a quick search yielded a good thread over on XDA (especially post #7):
esn change legality? - xda-developers
I think the rules are a bit more lax over in Europe, but over here in the states, there's red tape everywhere
.Cheers!
Thanks, fmalcolmr--we don't always know what a member's intent is and just want to err on the side of caution when this subject is brought-up (it raises the radar for a lot of folks), so please know that its not simply directed at you, per se.
I think the issue would boil down to if one is modifying one's device (in whatever manner) to use the services of another company without their consent / notification and/or proper compensation.
I'm not an expert by any means, but a quick search yielded a good thread over on XDA (especially post #7):
esn change legality? - xda-developers
I think the rules are a bit more lax over in Europe, but over here in the states, there's red tape everywhere
Cheers!
Thanks for clarification and the link. Maybe one day our carriers will learn from our overseas counterparts that a happy customer spends more. Oh well.
It's illegal because it screws the already stratospheric profits that carriers make by selling you crap phones that are exclusive to their network. It shouldnt' since it's YOUR phone which your BOUGHT, and also you're not using the network without paying. You pay for the service. Leave it to corporations and politicians to bend you over a table.
marc12868
Android Expert
With CDMA it's illegal to do yourself, now if say Verizon or VM or Sprint wanted to they could flash phones (like Cricket does), but they don't and it's illegal to modify your esn. GSM phones work a bit differently because all the information is stored on the SIM card not on the actual phone that is why unlocking a GSM phone and using it on another network is fine. Now if you messed with the information on the sim card it would be illegal. So that's the difference between CDMA and GSM. Basically think of a CDMA phone having unremovable carrier information, whereas GSM phones do (SIM card).