Unlocking Droid 2 Global

[me262]

As a new customer of Verizon how many months do I have to be on my plan before I can request an unlocking code for my Droid 2 Global?

[rcschnoor]

Not sure what you mean by an unlocking code. What, exactly, are you not able to use on the phone?

[silver6055]

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rcschnoor wrote:

Not sure what you mean by an unlocking code. What, exactly, are you not able to use on the phone?

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me262 is referring to the SIM unlock code, which allows the use of a non-Vodafone SIM.

The general consensus seems to be that although there is an official policy (I have heard various lengths of time) things are much more flexible.   Call Global Services rather than regular Customer Service, and explain that you need to go abroad very soon etc.   So long as you are actually a customer (rather than someone who bought the phone without a contract) you should find someone who will help.   (If you are told "No", call back later and see if you find a more helpful representative).

One word of warning: the official policy now is that unlocking the SIM will void your warranty.   When I first heard that, I was surprised, as unlocking doesn't really allow anything bad to happen (as compared to say installing a custom ROM), but checking around, many GSM carriers have the same rule, presumably because they can!

[me262]

When I am traveling I want the cell phone unlocked for the convenience of using the foreign GSM sim card particular to the country I am in.

[silver6055]

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me262 wrote:

When I am traveling I want the cell phone unlocked for the convenience of using the foreign GSM sim card particular to the country I am in.

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Yes, that is what my reply refers to!

[PhiPsi32]

I purchasd a Blackberry Storm 9550 on Craigslist and e-mailed Verizon support regarding a SIM unlock code.  Verizon e-mailed me the unlock code very quickly.  I had no problem.  I believe you only need to be paid up on the phone for 60 days (with the account in good standing).  I was not told that the unlock would void the warranty.  Overall, it's an easy process and it beats paying $30 or more for an unlock code.  Call or e-mail Verizon.

[AntonioC_VZW · Accepted solution]

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me262 wrote:

As a new customer of Verizon how many months do I have to be on my plan before I can request an unlocking code for my Droid 2 Global?

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Thanks to all for the great input!

Please keep in mind that only Verizon Wireless Global Support Team completes the SIM Unlock procedure. Please contact our Global Support team at 9085594899.

The following qualifications must be met for the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) to be unlocked:

Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.

• The device being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
• The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
• The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
• Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
• The customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

[silver6055]

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AntonioC_VZW wrote:

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The customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

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AntonioC, can you confirm that this is the "Official Position"! 

I ask because on Dec 11th, I got email from

Tamelia

Verizon Wireless

Customer Service

including:

I have attached the instruction for unlocking your Droid 2

Global device to this email. Additionally, I will provide these same

instructions below for your reference. Please keep in mind that you will

need to have a foreign SIM card inserted into your Droid device in order

for the unlock procedures to work.

Motorola Droid 2 Global SIM Unlock Process

NOTE: On entering the SIM Unlock code on the device, all warranty on the

device will be VOID.

[AntonioC_VZW]

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silver6055 wrote:

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AntonioC_VZW wrote:

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The customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

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AntonioC, can you confirm that this is the "Official Position"! 

I ask because on Dec 11th, I got email from

Tamelia

Verizon Wireless

Customer Service

including:

I have attached the instruction for unlocking your Droid 2

Global device to this email. Additionally, I will provide these same

instructions below for your reference. Please keep in mind that you will

need to have a foreign SIM card inserted into your Droid device in order

for the unlock procedures to work.

Motorola Droid 2 Global SIM Unlock Process

NOTE: On entering the SIM Unlock code on the device, all warranty on the

device will be VOID.

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silver6055, I have checked with our Global Support Team and I can confirm that as of today, my previous post is accurate. I apologize for any misinformation provided in the past. Please keep in mind that all policies are subject to review and may change from time to time.

I would like to reiterate that the customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

[silver6055]

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AntonioC_VZW wrote:

silver6055, I have checked with our Global Support Team and I can confirm that as of today, my previous post is accurate. I apologize for any misinformation provided in the past. Please keep in mind that all policies are subject to review and may change from time to time.

I would like to reiterate that the customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

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Thanks, that is good to know!  I was surprised when I got that original email, I had unlocked phones in prior years without being told that. 

[mortb]

It sounded a little unusual to say that if you unlock your SIM card it will void the warranty. Why put something into your mobile device if you can't use it?

[silver6055]

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mortb wrote:

It sounded a little unusual to say that if you unlock your SIM card it will void the warranty. Why put something into your mobile device if you can't use it?

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Unlocking the phone rather than the SIM.   But in fact when I was first told this I checked with other carriers and they seem to do the same thing (unlock voids warranty).  Remember that using the provided SIM doesn't require unlock, so it's only if you want to use non-Verizon services that you need to unlock.

[tarorleans]

Does the 60 day apply to prepaid customers or only with customers with contracts?

[Jax_Omen]

I don't believe they offer sim unlocks for prepaid.

[tarorleans]

Is there any way to confirm that prepaid does NOT allow for unlocking entitlement?

[rcschnoor]

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tarorleans wrote:

Is there any way to confirm that prepaid does NOT allow for unlocking entitlement?

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Yes, you could call and ask.

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AntonioC_VZW wrote:

Please keep in mind that only Verizon Wireless Global Support Team completes the SIM Unlock procedure. Please contact our Global Support team at 9085594899.

The following qualifications must be met for the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) to be unlocked:

Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.

• The device being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
• The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
• The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
• Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
• The customer's manufacturer's device warranty is not affected by a SIM unlock as long as the customer remains with Verizon Wireless.

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[pales]

I'm leaving the country tomorrow and just got off the phone with Global Support.  They said they could not unlock the phone until I actually had the 3rd party SIM card in my posession.  So I can't do it in preparation, I have to figure out how to dial internationally (and pay for it) once I've got the card.  Why is it necessary to have the card before unlocking?

[silver6055]

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pales wrote:

I'm leaving the country tomorrow and just got off the phone with Global Support.  They said they could not unlock the phone until I actually had the 3rd party SIM card in my posession.  So I can't do it in preparation, I have to figure out how to dial internationally (and pay for it) once I've got the card.  Why is it necessary to have the card before unlocking?

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Others have reported this as well, so it might be a new policy (but it is not needed!)   Without the foreign SIM, you will not get the prompt, and thus cannot enter the code and verify it works.  But there is no reason why they cannot give you the unlock code.

Others have suggested (and I agree) to call back, tell them you have the SIM, and ask for the code. (and then say that it works!).  The problem is that if the code fails for some reason, you will have to explain!

You don't want to have to try this from abroad in my opinion.   Did they activate the Vodafone SIM so that you have some service anyway?

[silver6055]

Also, do you know someone with AT&T or T-Mobile?  If you can borrow one of their SIMs, you can make sure the unlock works.  (Although the phone will not work in the US with those SIMs, the unlock function will detect them as 3rd party and give you the prompt).

[pales]

I just figured I would do as requested and call back tomorrow once I have the SIM card.  We'll have skype over wifi at the hotel, so we have a backup plan, but this is turning out to be more frustrating than it should be.

What is the Vodafone SIM, the SIM card that shipped with the phone?  Is that what VZW uses to get on GSM networks if you signup for international plans?

[silver6055]

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pales wrote:

I just figured I would do as requested and call back tomorrow once I have the SIM card.  We'll have skype over wifi at the hotel, so we have a backup plan, but this is turning out to be more frustrating than it should be.

What is the Vodafone SIM, the SIM card that shipped with the phone?  Is that what VZW uses to get on GSM networks if you signup for international plans?

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Yes, the Vodafone SIM is the one that comes with the phone.  If activated, it will provide GSM service, and (the only good thing!) it has your US number, so when people call your normal number, you will get the call (and pay a lot).

With the phone you should have a got a sheet of paper that contains a global services calling card, along with a list of toll-free numbers to call from each country, so if skype over wifi doesn't work, you can just make a cheap/free  phone call to Global Services.

I have the Vodafone SIM activated as a back up in case something goes wrong.  If you do this though, make sure that you remove the SIM before you go get to the GSM area as the data charges (just from the initial sync) would be extremely expensive