[lordhumongous]

Yes I am a noob to bb
yes I searched...
I have unlocked my 8900 (T Mobile) and now I want to make sure that everything is configured properly. I screwed around a bit and ran a diagnostics after the unlock. What do I look for to ensure that I am getting the maximum benefit of unlocking... btw, What is the benefit (ready, fire aim!) I already did it, but what's the benefit? What is the best course of action after unlocking? Thanks in advance for your help... crazy little phone!
J

[jsconyers]

Welcome to the forums.

The only benefit to unlocking is to use the phone on another network such as AT&T or Rogers.

[lordhumongous]

So, will I have service coverage in att areas where tmob doesnt get signal (I told u I was a noob!)

[lordhumongous]

btw, phone still displays t mobile on splash screen and t mobile as the wireless network

[jsconyers]

You may roam on AT&T's network, but that would happen regardless if the device was unlocked or not. You can now use the SIM card of another carrier in your device. It is no longer "locked" to T-Mobile.

[jsconyers]

Originally Posted by lordhumongous

btw, phone still displays t mobile on splash screen and t mobile as the wireless network

The T-Mobile splash screen will always be displayed. You have T-Mobile as a service provider, correct? You will not see anything different by having the device unlocked.

Let me use an example to help you understand. Say I am on a T-Mobile contract but really want the Bold which T-Mobile doesn't sell. I could buy an AT&T Bold, have it unlocked, put my T-Mobile SIM card in the Bold and use it.

That's all unlocking does.

[lordhumongous]

So if Tmob sux in my location, I could take this phone to AT&T? What about different OS, AT&T apps etc?

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by lordhumongous

So if Tmob sux in my location, I could take this phone to AT&T?

Yes.

Originally Posted by lordhumongous

What about different OS, AT&T apps etc?

Irrelevant. Unlocking has no impact on this.

[TXLady]

If you have a TMobile phone that you use on TMobile, you will notice absolutely no difference after you unlock it. It will function exactly the same before and after. No additional capabilities on TMO. That's it. Whatever you could do before, you'll be able to do afterwards. No more, no less.

The only way you will even know for sure it is unlocked is through the menus.

Go to Options >Advanced Options >Sim Card. Type mepd. You won't see any letters being typed but it will open a new screen with a list on it. Look for Network. It should say "inactive" or "disabled" if the phone is unlocked.

The only other way you will know it's unlocked is that it will work with a SIM from another GSM provider such as AT&T.

[callcom]

The main benefit is of course being able to use another carriers sim card in your unlocked phone. Of course, you also increase the monetary value of the phone in a resale situation (vs. an unlocked phone identical to yours). If your account is in good standing and have been on service for at least 3 months I believe, T-Mobile will unlock your phone free of charge (upon your request - just tell them that you are going overseas and want to use your phone over there).

[lordhumongous]

Still figuring this out... If I insert an AT&T sim into my unlocked t mob phone, can I use AT&T network? (coverage is much better than t mob)

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by lordhumongous

Still figuring this out... If I insert an AT&T sim into my unlocked t mob phone, can I use AT&T network? (coverage is much better than t mob)

Yes, that's the whole point of unlocking.

[lordhumongous]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

Yes, that's the whole point of unlocking.

didn't know if I needed to switch t-mob plan to AT&T...

[jsconyers]

You need to have an active AT&T plan. If you just pop an inactive AT&T SIM card in the device, it will not work.

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by lordhumongous

didn't know if I needed to switch t-mob plan to AT&T...

Yes, you absolutely do.

[lordhumongous]

OK, that's what I thought... the reason that I was unsure was because when i switched network selection from automatic to manual... AT&T came up as an option. I couldn't connect, but didn't know if an AT&T sim would change that.