Unlocking the BlackBerry Storm
 

Forum sponsor Horizon Wireless Online has started a waiting list for people wanting their Storm unlocked. As of right now there are a few technical challenges that should be resolved shortly.

Don't be taken in by the scammers offering to unlock them right now!!

To get on the list to be contacted the second unlocks are available send Horizon an email.

Send email to:
Subject: Storm Unlock

so what you are saying is that if I want my storm unlocked I can email this wonderful forum sponsor and as soon as they are able to they will notify me?

what excellent service

Why thank you kind sirs. Yes, this is the idea. As soon as we have all this sorted out, you will get an email from myself or Josh and we'l get you an unlock code. As Troy stated above, there have been issues to say the least.

Wirelessly posted (by Milton and his stapler.)

That's great news!

I'm confused. CDMA device being unlocked? Please explain as I am unfamiliar with this.

There are as of today 2 Storms. The 9500 GSM only on Vodafone and the 9530 CDMA / GSM hybrid on Verizon, yes the Verizon 9530 accepts a SIM card for GSM use while roaming. The 9500 will be easily unlocked for worldwide GSM use, the 9530 will be much harder but possible.

It seems I have read that CDMA devices don't get unlocked. I would love a storm on Sprint, wouldn't that work if Horizonwireless has success with either of the above two devices?

It just seems I have read about it not being done on CDMA, just GSM. Just trying to understand, and maybe considering a future purchase of an unlocked Storm.

Thanks

Correct you will not be able to take a present day Storm to Sprint. This unlocking is on the GSM side.

The only issue with CDMA is that CDMA carriers do not allow phones from other carriers on their network.

So would a Storm be usable on ATT? Or are the frequencies in the radio incorrect anyway? What is the benefit to unlocking on the Verizon Device? I am presuming the Vodafone 9500 will work on ATT?

Thanks for the information!

The Vodafone 9500 will work on AT&T minus the 3G, you would only have EDGE / GPRS.

We are waiting to see what restrictions Verizon has placed on the North American frequencies for unlocking. We will know more about this soon.

To clear the air somewhat;

CDMA devices can't be unlocked as GSM phones are:Since a carrier must allow the ESN or device number to be activated and provisioned on their network,it is the carrier who decides whether a CDMA phone not sold by them is activated.

Verizon was due to establish guidelines for allowing 'foreign' ESN's on their network but nothing I know of's come of it.

As far as taking a Verizon Storm to Sprint to be activated,I'd say its a practical impossibility.If Sprint has issues with phones they sell not working properly I could only imagine the bureaucratic hell someone trying to activate a Verizon phone on Sprint would experience.

But,because the Storm is equipped with a GSM SIM card slot for international travel,if a Storm can be unlocked on its GSM radio you could use a US SIM card with it.

If you're really crafty you can have a Verizon plan,and have a US GSM plan on the same phone.

thanks for the heads up

unloked storm on ATT Network!
 

Thanks for the overwhelming emails folks. As stated, we are working on this. You have all been placed on our storm list. Ill email all you folks very soon. Thanks again

I look forword to this.

9500 3G and 9530 only EDGE
 

The Storm 9500 works with ATT 3G and the Verizon 9530 works only with EDGE !

The 9500 does not work with AT&T 3G, it does not support and 3G frequency other than 2100MHz which AT&T does not use.

Does T-Mobile (USA) use the 2100mhz frequency for 3G?

T-Mobile is 1700MHz

The Storm will only be EDGE in North America at this point.

You are correct there is no unlocking of CDMA. The reason the 9530 is unlockable is because it supports Quad Band GSM for International travel and has a SIM slot. You will not be able to take it to Sprint, but could take it to AT&T, T-Mobile or any other GSM carrier.