Why can't I buy an "unlocked" CDMA phone like a GSM phone?

[possmann]

OK - Sprint has the "Mogul" Verizon is taking their sweet time in releasing basically the exact same device... I know that anyone can basically trip over unlocked GSM phones just about anywhere on the web - why isn't that the same for the 2 CDMA large carriers? (Sprint and Verizon)
I think it would be great if we could go to some place like expansys.com and get one of these devices and be able to "activate" it much like we would do with GSM based phone carriers.
I'm not heading back to T-Mo and forget ATT. Verizon has given me the best reliabilty and speed and I have had too many bad memories with Sprint to switch simply for a phone - but man I am really jonesing for that new HTC device...
Would appreciate any help... someone send me a link please!

[Mike Temporale]

You can't. With CDMA, the carrier must enter the device's unique ID into their system to permit the phone to work on their network. With GSM, the carrier just enters the SIM card ID. What device that card is inserted into doesn't matter.

The problem is that CDMA carriers will not allow enter the info for a device that is not "supported" by them. Meaning you can't take a CDMA phone from another CDMA carrier and get Verizon to activate it on their network. Sorry, but you're at the mercy of the carrier with CDMA.

[possmann]

AUGH!

I have found a name for my pain of impatience and it is CDMA!

Well an acronym more than a name - sigh :roll:

Guess I am in the wait mode until verizon gets off their kiester and releases a mobile 6 device...

[Mike Temporale]

Shouldn't be too long. Mobile Burn had a review of the Q9 CDMA version that was labeled "verizon".

Here's the post: http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14822

[Twain]

Mike,

I'm not sure you really answered the question. (At least you didn't answer the question on my mind. :))

You explained that, "[w]ith CDMA, the carrier must enter the device's unique ID into their system to permit the phone to work on their network." You also mentioned that, "[w]ith GSM, the carrier just enters the SIM card ID."

What I don't understand is this: if CDMA phones were engineered with a SIM card that carried an ID, why couldn't CDMA carriers just enter that ID into their system to allow any CDMA phone to work? It's clear from a business rationale why they wouldn't want to do that. One would think that the GSM carriers have the same business interests in mind, yet, they have the SIM card approach. Are there any technical reasons you know of that prevents CDMA carriers from going the SIM card route?

Thanks,
Twain

[Mike Temporale]

I'm not sure you really answered the question. (At least you didn't answer the question on my mind. :))

Well, I think I got the answer possman was looking for. You're question is more about why the underlying technology is that way and why they don't do things different. ;)

What I don't understand is this: if CDMA phones were engineered with a SIM card that carried an ID, why couldn't CDMA carriers just enter that ID into their system to allow any CDMA phone to work?

Right, they could. In fact, if I recall, there are a couple CDMA carriers that do this. Don't ask who, cause I don't remember that. ;)

It's clear from a business rationale why they wouldn't want to do that.

Well, there's lots of reasons. Locking the customer to your network/service is certainly one of those reasons. Having something that holds all the account data and can be easily removed from the device increases the risk of that account being cloned or comprimised.

Of course, this also has major drawbacks. The one that always comes into play is when you're phone breaks down. You have to beg the carrier to provide you a loaner. With GSM, you just grab someones old phone, slap in your SIM and away you go.

Are there any technical reasons you know of that prevents CDMA carriers from going the SIM card route?

Well, it's all in the technical specifications of the network. Like I mentioned before, I recall that there are a couple CDMA carriers that use SIM cards. But overall, the phone manufacturers aren't building them that way and the majority of the equipment used to manage them doesn't alot for it. But that's just my ramblings. You'll have to dig into the specifications of each to find out if there's a deeply technical reason why it's not that way and it's not heading that way.

The simple answer is no, you can't do. And don't hold you're breath waiting for it to happen. :)