GPRS Merlin Card unlocking

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Mark Morissette - 27 Jul 2003 02:26 GMT

I recently obtained a voicestream GPRS Modem via the USA. This modem
was activated on the T-Mobile system in the States (Formerly
Voicestream).

This is the identical modem that Microcell (Fido) sells here - the
Merlin by Novatel wireless..

I received it with a SIM, which was obviously of no use here.

I took a chance that the card wasn't locked, and picked up a Fido SIM
today, in order to "give it a shot".

Well, to make a long story short, the card appears locked... With
the old sim, I get a signal, but the GPRS manager software reports
something along the line that "The sim is either not installed
corectly, or is incompatible with your modem".

With the new Fido sim, I don't get a signal reported, and then end up
with the same error.

I'm assuming that this result with either card is a good indication
that the card is locked, and the Fido network is basically refusing
access regardless of the sim installed.

The Fido GPRS tech told me a week or so back that if this was the case
(card is locked), they would be able to make arrangements with
T-Mobile (Who is Microcells roaming partner in the USA) to unlock the
card, but it may take a while.

Meanwhile, my free first month of service is wasting away.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the unlocking process with these
cards, or can they point me to any resources?

I'm willing to do it the legitimate way through Microcell, but if
there's a faster way, I'll take up the option in order to get the GPRS
service working sooner, versus later.

Anyone?

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- 27 Jul 2003 03:29 GMT

> The Fido GPRS tech told me a week or so back that if this was the case
> (card is locked), they would be able to make arrangements with
> T-Mobile (Who is Microcells roaming partner in the USA) to unlock the
> card, but it may take a while.
>
> Meanwhile, my free first month of service is wasting away.

Call in and put the service on hold until this is solved. They should be
able to back end the credits and do some manual stuff in their systems, it's
going above-and-beyond the ordinary, but that's what should be expected
occasionally :-)

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Mark Morissette - 27 Jul 2003 04:37 GMT

>Call in and put the service on hold until this is solved. They should be
>able to back end the credits and do some manual stuff in their systems, it's
>going above-and-beyond the ordinary, but that's what should be expected
>occasionally :-)

Planning on doing this tommorow morning at 9AM when customer service
opens..

That is, unless I discover the solution outside of having Fido do it
themselves between now and then.. :-)

Regards;
Mark

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Mark Morissette - 27 Jul 2003 17:13 GMT

Argh.. Now Fido says to contact T-Mobile, the original network the
card was used with in the USA.

T-Mobile said a week ago to contact Fido, but I was waiting untill I
got a valid Sim to do so.

Argh! Fido, get your facts straight!

Still need help unlocking this card - anyone?

Reply to this Message

Lee - 31 Jul 2003 00:28 GMT

> Argh.. Now Fido says to contact T-Mobile, the original network the
> card was used with in the USA.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Still need help unlocking this card - anyone?

I would expect Fido to say this as the "unlock code" has to come from
the original provider. If you originally had service in the US with
T-Mobile and moved to Canada then Fido would request the unlock code
from T-Mobile on your behalf as you were transfering to their network.
BUT, since it doesn't sound like you even had service with the card in
the US, then T-Mobile is going to be very reluctant to give out the
code. Their cost on the card has most likely not been recoved.

I have had the opertunity in the past to buy, very cheaply, locked GSM
phones at retail stores in the US, with the understanding that I would
register for service when i got home. I haven't bothered. Obviously
$39 for a $500 phone means that someone is taking a loss, guess who
that would be? The providers offer phones etc for below their cost but
only if you agree to pay them lots of money over the next 2 or 3
years. That's how the game is played and why phones are locked.

If you didn't originally have a contract and service with T-Mobile
then they will probably feel no obligation to provide you or Fido with
the unlock code. Your only hope is that someone knows how to unlock it
via your computer.

Good luck
Lee

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