Quote:
Originally Posted by masraum
When I go to the ATT website it says that you request the unlock online, but that the only thing that you need to do then is swap SIM cards to the new SIM card (no special process to go through like other phones).
I'm assuming that means that when you request the unlock, that ATT sends a command through the network to the phone.
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Nope. A carrier-locked phone detects a non-carrier SIM inserted and wants a PUK, or it won't use it.
All you do is enter the code, and the phone is SIM unlocked. Forever.
All happens on the phone; nothing is sent from the carrier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock
Quote:
Originally Posted by masraum
Does anyone know for sure if that means that the phone would have to be put back on the ATT network, unlocked, and then taken back off of the network before it could be moved to T-mobile?
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Any carrier is obliged to provide the network unlock code if you meet their criteria - which usually hinge on the account/contract being in good standing, past some minimum age - and almost certainly you having paid back what they wanted for the phone, if it was obtained on a subsidized plan.
So, if the contract is lapsed, you've nothing to lose by asking AT&T for the unlock code; I rather doubt they'll provide it. But I haven't used them as a carrier since I binned them in 2005 for abysmal customer service, so what do I know? It may be different now (I would hope os). And it may just depend on the agent you get to talk to as well.
AT&T used to be rather hard work to get a code out of anyway. If they're still the same, it's probably just easier to buy an unlock code on the interwebs for $20.