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What is this site?

This site is devoted to providing accurate general information, proven solutions and instructions for unlocking and reconfiguring CDMA and iDEN cell phones.

Whether you are a consumer who wants to know if you can use your CDMA or iDEN cell phone with another network, or a hobbist or cell phone shop who wants to learn quickly how to use the most popular CDMA and iDEN handset service software correctly. You can find it all here.

Do you have new unlocking techniques?
We would like to hear from you, if you created documents at similar standard to what's available here and want to share your work, contact us.

Why we created it?

In the past, we helped many people to convert their CDMA cell phones from Sprint, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, Qwest, U.S. Cellular, Alltel and MetroPCS to Cricket's unlimited service. We have consulted and taught some independent wireless stores in several cities. We know the information and the solutions we provide here are tested, and we are tired of the lack of quality information on the web about CDMA and iDEN cell phones. So we are making them available to the public for the first time! We do not offer CDMA and iDEN mail unlocking service, however, for those of you who are technically inclined and interested to do it yourself, we make our proven experience available here. You should find just about all the answers you need here.

In order for us to keep this site up and running for your benefit, please visit the sponsors web site by clicking on their advertisements.

If you don't feel comfortable performing these technical operations, we recommend you contact a professional service center such as GS Wireless.

Quick answers to common questions

Can I travel abroad with my CDMA phone?
Most of the world use GSM network. CDMA coverage is present in some countries such as India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Korea, etc. but the roaming is complex and not readily available. You'll need a GSM phone and a SIM card. We recommend you can rent a phone from Telestial or purchase one from GS Wireless make sure you tell them that you came from UnlockCDMA.com

There are few GSM + CDMA hybrid phones, but they are rare. If you have a RIM Blackberry 8830, please note that it has only 900 / 1800MHz GSM capability, which means you can only use it outside North America with another GSM carrier after unlocking. This is a hardware issue, it is not something can be changed through unlocking. Therefore it is not possible to use it with any US-based GSM network. Verizon does not lock the CDMA portion of the phone, however the GSM portion is locked to Vodafone. Sprint Blackberry 8830 is identical, except they do not restrict (lock) the GSM portion. You can use the Spring version outside North America without unlocking it.

Can I travel abroad with my iDEN phone?
Almost all iDEN phones are iDEN-only and you cannot use it on a GSM network. Unless your iDEN phone is a dual iDEN/GSM phone such as the Motorola i930 (GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz; iDEN 800 MHz), you cannot use it in most parts of the world. You'll need a GSM phone and a SIM card. We recommend you can rent a phone from Travelcomm or purchase one from GS Wireless make sure you tell them that you came from UnlockCDMA.com

What is a locked cell phone?
A locked cell phone could mean different things. It could be the phone or user security code to prevent unauthorized use of your cell phone, or a cell phone that has been restricted to the use on one particular network.

When speaking of a "locked" cell phone on this web site, we mean a cell phone that is restricted to a particular service provider (network). This restriction prevents you from using your cell phone on a different yet compatible network. So it would be more correct to call this type of phone "network restricted".

Can I use my Sprint phone on T-Mobile/Cingular/ATT/other GSM network?
Sprint uses CDMA radio network technology and is incompatible with GSM network and vice versa.

Can I use my Verizon phone on T-Mobile/Cingular/ATT/other GSM network?
Verizon also uses CDMA. See above.

Can I use my Cingular / T-Mobile / ATT phone on Sprint network?
No. Cingular / T-Mobile / ATT use GSM technology is is not compatible with Sprint, which uses CDMA.

Can I use my Cingular / T-Mobile / ATT phone on Verizon network?
See above.

Can I use my Nextel / Boost phone with Cingular / T-Mobile / ATT?
Nextel / Boost phones and made by Motorola and use the i-DEN network technology, which is similar to GSM in many ways including the usage of SIM card. However, i-DEN phones cannot operate on GSM networks.

Can I use Verizon / Cricket / Qwest / Alltel phone on Sprint network?
Technically yes, practically no. Technically you should be able to use any compatible CDMA handset on Sprint's network. However, even if you have the right handset, unlocked and programmed for Sprint, Sprint's activation policy does not permit a non-Sprint phone to be activated. This is a company policy issue, not a technical one. Hence, any phone that is not sold by Sprint cannot be activated on Sprint.

Can I use my Nextel / Boost phone with Verizon / Sprint?
No. i-DEN and CDMA are not compatible.

What is CDMA?
Code Division Multiplex Access, based on technology developed by Qualcomm, is one of the most widely used wireless technology in the world along with GSM and iDEN. In the US it is used by Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, US Cellular, Qwest, Virgin USA, Cricket, MetroPCS and others. However, CDMA network are present in many parts of the world, this web site shows all the CDMA network in the world.

Is my cell phone CDMA?
If it doesn't have a slot for the SIM card anywhere on the phone - behind the battery, the side, one side of the back compartment, then you most likely have a CDMA phone. If it is really old, it could be a TDMA as well. However, if your cell phone came from any of the CDMA network mentioned here, then it is definitely a CDMA phone.

What is iDEN?
Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN). iDEN is a technology developed by Motorola with some ideas based on the GSM design. In the US it mainly uses 800MHz radio band. The most well known iDEN carriers are Nextel, Boost, Southern Linc, and Telus. iDEN phones are characterized by its reliable walkie-talkie-style two way radio.

Is my cell phone iDEN?
If you bought a Motorola phone which its model starts with i, such as i90, i430, and it is from one of the above mentioned iDEN network, then it is an iDEN phone.

Nextel / Boost (iDEN)
Nextel and Boost phones work on the iDEN network, a modified version of the GSM technology. Despite the fact that these phones use SIM cards, they are not compatible technologies. You cannot use an iDEN phone on a GSM network and vice versa.

Outside the US, you can put a Nextel SIM card in a GSM phone, and if there is a roaming agreement with the local GSM service provider you can make calls. Please note that Nextel only has roaming agreements in place with overseas GSM carriers. You can't use Nextel service on a GSM phone in the U.S., as Nextel has no roaming agreements with any GSM carriers here.

You cannot use a regular GSM SIM card in a Nextel/Boost phone to make or receive calls. We offer unlocking for selected models of iDEN phones.

What about my Verizon / Sprint / Cricket / Alltel / U.S. Cellular / MetroPCS / Qwest phone?
Verizon and Sprint (except Nextel which Sprint just acquired) both operate on the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network. Verizon generally do not lock the phones it sell, and you may reprogram it either over the air or manually when switching to another CDMA provider. However, in order for it to work properly, a PRL (Preferred Roaming List) should be uploaded into the phone.

Sprint locks all the phones wiht a unlock code or SPC (Service Provider Code). According to Sprint (subject to change, please double check this with Sprint), they will not activate any CDMA phone that was not sold by Sprint. While you can make some Sprint phones into Verizon, due to Sprint's activation policy, the other way around is not possible at this time. It is also possible to change some Sprint, Verizon, Qwest or Alltel phone into Cricket or vice versa.

Since CDMA is a different technology from GSM, you cannot use a CDMA handset on a GSM network (e. g. using a Sanyo 8400 or Motorola V60c on T-Mobile's network), and vice versa. This is because completely different hardware is required in the phone, it cannot be changed in software.

What is flashing? Why would I want it?
Flashing a phone means changing or replacing the existing software inside the phone's electronically programmable memory. Depending on the purpose, flashing a phone can correct software bugs, improve phone performance, change languages, and add or remove features.

Cell phone and travel news

Sprint offers unlimited calling plan and more for $99 - Feb. 28, 2008
Today Sprint unveiled its own version of the $99 unlimited plan. Unlike the plans announced last week by other wireless carriers, Sprint's plan includes unlimited voice, data, SMS messages, email, Web, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS navigation, DirectConnect and Group Connect. The plan is called Simply Everything, and is available to both CDMA and iDEN customers. Customers will be able to switch to the new plan without extending their current contracts. Sprint will also offer an unlimited everything plan for family lines as well for an incremental $5 discount for each additional line. Interested customers can contact customer service or their closest participating retail location. Simply Everything will be available to existing and new customers beginning tomorrow, February 29.

Congress acts: Another step to bring cell phone service without contract closer - Feb. 26, 2008

The U.S. House of Representatives is holding a hearing Wednesday on legislation that would require carriers to offer wireless service without contracts when devices are not subsidized.. The Wireless Consumer Protection bill is sponsored by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

The bill would require wireless carriers to offer consumers the ability to purchase subsidy-free wireless equipment without a long-term service plan at a price no higher than comparable plans offered with subsidized equipment. The bill would also require carriers to prorate early termination fees to ensure that the carrier recovers the cost of the subsidy, but no more. The bill said legislation is necessary “as wireless service is increasingly used and relied upon by residential and business consumers.” Audio of the hearing can be found here.

T-Mobile USA acquires SunCom - Feb. 22, 2008
BELLEVUE, Wash., & BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile USA, Inc., and SunCom Wireless Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TPC) today announced the completion of T-Mobile’s acquisition of SunCom Wireless. This means more than 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will now be able to benefit from T-Mobile’s award-winning customer service and the unique products and services offered by T-Mobile.

U.S. Celluar also annouces unlimited calling plan - Feb. 21, 2008
Following other network's annoucement, U.S. Celluar also annouces its unlimited calling plan starting at $99 a month.

T-Mobile annouces unlimited calling plan - Feb. 20, 2008
T-Mobile announced that it will offer subscribers an unlimited plan for $99 per month. T-Mobile's offering is the only plan announced today that includes both voice and all messaging services (SMS, MMS and IM) at the $99 price point. The new plan will be available beginning February 21.

AT&T annouces unlimited calling plan - Feb. 20, 2008
AT&T announced unlimited voice calling plans. Both new and existing customers can sign up for the new plan, which costs $99 per month and gets you unlimited voice minutes. This will be available on Februrary 22.

Verizon annouces unlimited calling plan - Feb. 19, 2008
Verizon Wireless annouced a new range of unlimited calling plans starting at $100 a month for unlimited nationwide calls and mobile web access.

Our comment: Though we are in the unlocking business, ultimately we like to see carriers become more friendly and open toward their customers' unlock request even if it means we don't make the sale.

Verizon opens up its network to any compatible (CDMA) phones - Nov. 27, 2007
Beginning early 2008, however, Verizon will open itself to, "[a]ny device that meets the minimum technical standard," and "[a]ny application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices." The company has yet to announce the minimal technical standards that it will set for applicable devices and applications. This is expected to be unveiled during an upcoming developers conference. A Verizon representative stated in a press conference this morning that the minimal standards are in place solely to ensure that devices will work with the network and that applications won't have adverse effects on network users, such as the spread of malware. Read the rest of this article

Sprint agreed to provide unlock codes - Oct. 28, 2007
As part of a proposed class-action settlement, the company, based in Reston, Virginia, with operational headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas, has agreed to provide departing Sprint PCS customers with the code necessary to unlock their phones' software. Read the rest of this article

Verizon proposed to release SPC (Service Provide Code/unlock code) - 2007
Recently, a proposed settlement has been reached in two class action proceedings, Nguyen, et al., v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. RG 04137703), and Patricia Brown and Harold P. Schroer, on a classwide basis on behalf of others similarly situated – against – Cellco Partnerships d/b/a Verizon Wireless, American Arbitration Association No. 11 494 01274 05, alleging that Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless installed software locks on its wireless phones to prevent them from being reprogrammed for use with other wireless carrier networks. Verizon Wireless and the plaintiffs reached a settlement which one of the terms is “Verizon Wireless has agreed to set the software code on all of its phones, except for models intended for sale with pre-pay plans and global phone service, to a default value that will be disclosed to consumers”. Read about the settlement

Our comment: From our experience in the past few years, all except the prepaid Verizon handsets did not come with a SPC code. If you have a Verizon handset, you can try to use 000000.

$30000 bill from Cingular for calls never made - Jan. 27, 2007
"But when the 77-year-old retiree opened his Cingular Wireless bill in November, he saw $21,420 in roaming charges for more than 4,500 calls from Nicaragua -- where he's never been -- to numbers he's never called." Read more at the International Herald Tribune.

$600 bill from overseas roaming fee - Apr. 28, 2007
"Not too long ago, I returned from a trip to the Orient and Australia. My cell phone provider told me how to make calls, but I was never really clear on what it cost to call home. The phone bill came to a whopping $600, and instead of the dollar a minute I expected, most calls were almost $3 per minute! But yet, when in Vietnam and Hong Kong, friends who live there told me that when they use their own cell phones, it costs them only a few cents a minute to call the U.S.!" Read more at the Times Standard

Learn about CDMA & iDEN unlocking and reconfiguration now

Are you ready to learn about cell phone unlocking? First, you need to read this paragraph and agree that we will not be held responsible for anything that may happen to your phone as the information is for Do-It-Yourself. If you don't feel comfortable performing these highly technical operations, we recommend you contact a professional service center such as GS Wireless.

Note: It is important that before you attempt anything described on this site you agree that all the information here provided are for educational purpose. Although we were successful with the methods described in the documents, the right result can only be achieved with the right hardware, software, configuration, and technical skill of the operator. Hence, we make no warranty whatsoever about the performance or anything else about the information provided on this site. Be warned, if you damage your phone, we are NOT RESPONSIBLE.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, WE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION FOR NONINFRINGEMENT, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

Now, you can get started. The following pages contain the tutorials.

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Links to CDMA handset companies: Audiovox Curitel, LG, Samsung, Kyocera, Qualcomm, Motorola, Sanyo Wireless - A subsidary of Kyocera, UTStarcom. Nokia no longer makes CDMA handsets

Links to CDMA network companies: Verizon / Sprint / Cricket / Alltel / U.S. Cellular / MetroPCS / Qwestphone

Links to iDEN handset companies: Motorola

Links to iDEN network companies: Nextel Boost Telus Southern Linc Nextel Brasil