Yes you can unlock the 9530 for free
 

I received my 9530 from Verizon ans simply called them to unlock it free. I was also instructed how to turn off CDMA so that it will use another carriers sim card anywhere. it does work. I have posted the e mail I received from verizon showing how to do this. It was hassle free and it appears there is no need to buy an unlock code. I have included the headers in the e mail I have received to authenticate this information came direct from Verizon Wireless Customer service. Good Luck.


Unlock Procedures
1. Ensure the SIM Card that came pre-installed in the 9530 is inserted
2. Go to 'Manage Connections'
3. Click on 'Turn All Connections Off'

7. Go back to 'Options'
8. Click on 'Advanced Options'
9. Click on 'SIM Card'
10. Type 'MEPD' (letters will not appear on-screen but a menu will pop up)
11. Type 'MEP2' (user will be prompted to enter MEP code)
12. Enter the unlock code (898612743071****)
13. Reboot device
14. Go to 'Manage Connections'
15. Click on 'Restore Connections'
16. Device is now unlocked



Changing phn to gsm mode



Select the menu
Go to the option icon
Go to mobile network
Go to mobile network mode and (global to gsm)


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Do you have to be a Verizon customer for 3 months before you can get the unlock code?

If I were you I would mask the vzw rep's email address since the disclosure on the bottom of the email reminds you of the confidentiality of the message itself.

No I did it the day after I received the phone. I then went to Panama where I inserted the other sim card, turned off CDMA and it worked fine.

Wow.. talk about a 180 degree policy shift.

I had to fill out forms and all kinds of other nonsense to get my 8830 unlocked when I got it a couple of years ago.

I just called Global Customer support, told them that I wanted to unlock my phone to use another carriers sim card, and they said, "No problem. Give me one minute to get the unlock code."

Yes thats pretty much what they said to me as well. Nice to not have to shell out any coin for an unlock code! I will be trying my phone in Russia in a few weeks and will report on that!

I am calling in a little bit to get this unlocked, pretty cool how they will just do it for us now, a lot easier..

If someone has little/no intentions of using the Storm outside of the US, are there any benefits to unlocking the unit?

Sure.
If you want to use it within the US on AT&T or T-Mobile, you can.
It also increases the resale value and desirability of the device if you ever want to sell it.

Do you have to have the phone activated and be a current customer in order for them to provide you with the unlock code?

Yes.

ok thanks

Can it be unlocked for Sprint?

No. US CDMA carriers like their own branded devices to be run on their networks.

No, Sprint will not allow non-Sprint phones on their network.

That's right those who are on Sprint, US Cellular, Alltel and other CDMA carriers are SOL.

Why would you want to do that?

You're kidding, right?

I've tried this procedure a couple of times and when I enter the MEP2 code: 898612743071, I receive 2 "! Error Code" messages. Is this normal?

If you're trying to unlock your phone using that code, then you should probably stop. NOW! :D
Notice those 4 asterisks (*) after all those numbers in the original post? Well, those are the last 4 digits of the unlock code. The OP was blocking them so that nobody tried to do what you just did. Twice.
Call Verizon and ask them for the unlock codes for your own Storm. :) Good Luck!