Sprint phone in Alltel network

[januszk]

Hi,
I need some help (don't know much about CDMA phones, with GSM it was easy :-). I have Samsung A660 phone that I got from STI Mobile (works on Sprint network) for free. I'd like to use it for my prepaid Alltel account. Alltech tech support has no problems adding non-alltel phone to their network but it doesn't work. What concerns me is that the Alltech guy told me to program my phone with my phone number and SID which is '42'. When I'm in the programming menu of my phone it asks me to enter a phone number and MSID, but MSID is a 10 digit number and it should be unique for each phone so it can't be '42'. If I program my Alltel phone number and 42 as an MSID anyway and trying to make a call it says that my 'Sprint PCS phone has not been yet activated'. So, I'd like to know how can I change my phone SID from whatever it is programmed there now to Alltel '42' and what should I put as MSID because it seems like Alltel doesn't use it (of course I don't need to mention that Alltel tech put ESN from my A660 in my Alltel profile).
Thanks a lot,
Janusz

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by januszk

Hi,
I need some help (don't know much about CDMA phones, with GSM it was easy :-). I have Samsung A660 phone that I got from STI Mobile (works on Sprint network) for free. I'd like to use it for my prepaid Alltel account. Alltech tech support has no problems adding non-alltel phone to their network but it doesn't work. What concerns me is that the Alltech guy told me to program my phone with my phone number and SID which is '42'. When I'm in the programming menu of my phone it asks me to enter a phone number and MSID, but MSID is a 10 digit number and it should be unique for each phone so it can't be '42'. If I program my Alltel phone number and 42 as an MSID anyway and trying to make a call it says that my 'Sprint PCS phone has not been yet activated'. So, I'd like to know how can I change my phone SID from whatever it is programmed there now to Alltel '42' and what should I put as MSID because it seems like Alltel doesn't use it (of course I don't need to mention that Alltel tech put ESN from my A660 in my Alltel profile).
Thanks a lot,
Janusz

The MSID is the Mobile Station ID, don't change it. The 'SID' the Tech Support rep refers to is the home system ID. Should be listed as 'CDMA SID,' 'Home SID' or 'Digital SID' in your phones' programming menu.

[januszk]

The menu that I have an access to lets me change/set only Phone Number and MSID. There is nothing more to set. I was trying to search a web for unlocking A660 but couldn't find anything useful. Do you know of any resources that I could use?

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by januszk

The menu that I have an access to lets me change/set only Phone Number and MSID. There is nothing more to set. I was trying to search a web for unlocking A660 but couldn't find anything useful. Do you know of any resources that I could use?

I have no idea with a Samsung phone, especially a Sprint prepaid phone. Sorry.

[januszk]

That's OK. I'll try to find somebody who maybe can do this for a few $$
Janusz

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by januszk

That's OK. I'll try to find somebody who maybe can do this for a few $$
Janusz

Prepaid phones are tricky because many times they don't have the same settings or have more or less settings then post paid phones.

I have heard it is usually a good idea to have the phone flashed with the software for the carrier you plan to use it on. Alltel sales offices won't flash handsets from other carriers... you may need to fine an Alltel dealer with flashing capabilities, if there is one and if an Alltel software version exists for the phone you have. To my knowledge, Alltel has never had the A660.

Good luck.

[mframe]

That phone may be difficult to program, for 2 reasons. One, most phones used on Sprint are MSL-locked, and unless you know the MSL code, to reset it to 000000, you cannot get a proper PRL to download OTA, from Alltel. STI and Sprint can't, or won't, give you the MSL code. Two, unless you can get an Alltel PRL loaded, the phone will always be preferring Sprint, even if the Alltel number was successfully programmed.

You might be able to get a partial programming (without PRL), by trying *22800 or *22801 (whichever connects you to Alltel - be sure to use all 5 digits, after the *), and select the option to program your phone.

Otherwise, you will have to see if Alltel will update it at a service center, with your phone connected by a cable to their PC, or get your own cable and learn to use BitPim (on your PC).

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by mframe

That phone may be difficult to program, for 2 reasons. One, most phones used on Sprint are MSL-locked, and unless you know the MSL code, to reset it to 000000, you cannot get a proper PRL to download OTA, from Alltel. STI and Sprint can't, or won't, give you the MSL code. Two, unless you can get an Alltel PRL loaded, the phone will always be preferring Sprint, even if the Alltel number was successfully programmed.

Oh yeah, and then there's that. I forgot about the MSLs since we don't use them anymore. Good call mframe.

[januszk]

Thank you all. After what you have told me I think I'll leave it the way it is. This phone is not that good and I already know that even if I make it work in Alltel features like SMS won't be available. Alltel does not use A660 so they won't have any software for it. For $50 I can get brand new Kyocera KX1 SoHo from Alltel and it should last for few years.
Thanks,
Janusz

[strunke]

Originally Posted by januszk

Thank you all. After what you have told me I think I'll leave it the way it is. This phone is not that good and I already know that even if I make it work in Alltel features like SMS won't be available. Alltel does not use A660 so they won't have any software for it. For $50 I can get brand new Kyocera KX1 SoHo from Alltel and it should last for few years.
Thanks,
Janusz

Actuallly....on the alltelu prepaid that phone is 14.99 plus activation.....