Hi I want to buy a BB Torch 9650 phone from ebay.com which has a bad ESN with Verizon. The seller says that it would work fine with GSM networks in INDIA. Please advise if it is true and also what kind of problems can I face in INDIA if I use a phone with bad ESN. Though I hope the BB services like BB messenger etc. would work fine. Please advise ASAP as I have not yet paid
Hi there, The 9650 does have the right GSM frequencies for India and also the proper 3G, however is it SIM unlocked? I am guessing the bad ESN only affects activation with Verizon and will not affect using it with a local SIM from India. However I would advice against buying a device with bad ESN if you can help it, to be on the safe side. BTW the 9650 is actually a "Bold" and not a "Torch", and if the seller is advertising it as a "Torch", I would really be leary of this purchase. Hope that helps.
hi thanx for the reply. apologies its 9850 instead and yes it is unlocked. Also please advise if BAD ESN affects BB services by any chance.
Yes, it very well could. It depends on why the phone has a bad ESN (blacklisted). For example if the BB was lost or stolen and the owner called it in, the the PIN would be de activated by RIM and you could not use any BB service.
also the seller advised me that when he went to BB A/C it asked for user name/password or gave the option to create new one.
I am not sure what to tell you, if everything the seller is saying is true, the chances are you should not have any problem. However, if it was me I would not take the chance. Good luck with your decision.