Unlock a Public Mobile Phone from 2012

[GrenouilleAgile]

@CS_Agent 

kyocera Qualcomm 3G CDMA

Android version

4.0.4

software version

1.002pm

hardware version 

0102

baseband version 

1.002pm

Kernel version

3.0.8-perf

release@releas #1

wed Oct. 3 12:34:06 JST 2012

build number

IMM761

[computergeek541]

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@Phil_Adelphus wrote:

@softech The OP implied in the title that the phone is currently locked to Public Mobile. Did PM even lock phones back then?  If this phone is exclusively CDMA it won't even work on Telus in any case.  Perhaps he/she wants to sell it on?  

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Public Mobile did actually sell locked devices in the past.  Locking of devices was done in a different way for CDMA device.  It was done in such a way that unless sort of service programming code was entered, another carrier couldn't provision the device for use.  However, that wasn't really a factor because most CDMA carriers refused in all cases to assign service to a CDMA device from another carrier (I did read about exceptions for a Bell/Aliant partnership).  That's all really a moot point as CDMA devices are no longer usable.

As for some 2g GSM/3g HSPA devices that were sold by Public Mobile around the 2012 timeframe, yes, some of those devices were locked to Telus/Public Mobile.   

[computergeek541]

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@GrenouilleAgile wrote:

@CS_Agent It's not a phone from another provider. It's a Public Mobile phone from 2012. When i open it, it loads Public Mobile graphics before going to screensaver.

thank you. It's Public Mobile responsibility to unlock it. 

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You're absolutely correct that Public Mobile is legally obligated to unlock devices from the past if it is locked to Public Mobile.  They don't have a choice on this matter.  However, unlocking the device that you have won't accomplish anything.  The statement from earlier by another member about the phone being unusable on Telus/Public Mobile is correct as the device simply is not compatible.  The device won't on any carrier in Canada, and I can't even think of any carrier anywhere that still uses CDMA.  Even if there is a CDMA carrier somewhere in the world that could still use the phone, carriers that used CDMA long had policies that forbade them from provisioning services to any CDMA device from another carrier.  It comes down to this:  Your device is ready for recycling, or kept as an alarm clock etc. as is a no longer capable of functioning as a cellular phone.

[computergeek541]

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@CSA_PM wrote:

Hi

Please note: Public Mobile does not unlock phones. If your device is locked, you’ll need to contact the original provider or the phone’s manufacturer for assistance.

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@CSA_PM 

The above response isn't correct.  Please review your customer support agent documentation that states that CSAs are to unlock phones for customers who have older GSM/HSPA/LTE devices that are locked to Telus, Koodo, or Public Mobile.  You'll find that you do have access to unlock codes for such devices and the ability to request that older iPhone devices locked to Telus to be unlocked.  Also, Public Mobile did sell some devices that are still compatible with the current Public Mobile networks and that are locked to Telus/Public Mobile, and that Public Mobile is obligated by the Wireless Code in Canada to unlock such devices. 

The customer doesn't even had to have purchased the phone from Public Mobile as Public Mobile has always unlocked Telus/Koodo locked device for Public Mobile customers.

[GrenouilleAgile]

I travel mostly to the carabean , central/south america & count on going to Angola/Africa 🙏🏻

[GrenouilleAgile]

Ok thank you very much for this thorough explanation, it helps me understands better 🙏🏻 And reconfiguration of a phone to be used on whichever networks is that something feasible technically if i were to find a tech wiz/savvy person in my area-extended group of acquaintances that could try to get in the phone? Or not even?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@GrenouilleAgile  What would it mean if the phone is exclusively CDMA? Why would it not be compatible with Telus Network?

Quoting from a Telus announcement at the time:

"We will shut down the CDMA network on January 31st, 2017. After this, customers will no longer be able to use their CDMA phones. CDMA phones are older devices that do not use SIM cards."

[GrenouilleAgile]

Well, while this clarifies the matter, I find it is highly unethical & inconvenient. How can I file a complaint about this?

[GrenouilleAgile]

What would it mean if the phone is exclusively CDMA? Why would it not be compatible with Telus Network?

EDIT: And with which network would it be compatible then?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@GrenouilleAgile  What does that mean "3G is being phased out" ? .......Also, when i travel i can use it with a sim to avoid theft. Yes, i'm a dancer and i go learn from the roots in quote on quote risky parts of the work for phone theft.

The USA, for example, shutdown 3G networks in 2022.  In Canada, Rogers is shutting theirs down in July this year (so that applies to Rogers/Fido/Chatr and any other carriers that use Rogers network).  Telus is repurposing one of the 3G bands that Public Mobile uses but we have no end date for when there will be no more 3G.  I believe CDMA was shut down by Telus a few years back.  Modern phones have the ability to use LTE for voice and that is becoming the norm.  So while you can continue to use the phone on wifi, using it with a sim card is likely, or will be, problematic.

[hTideGnow]

hi@GrenouilleAgile 

your phone is too old to be used when you travel, it is an old CDMA phone and might have old 3G.  The world is moving away from 3G, even a 3G only phone would not work well here in Canada.  US is completely out of 3G, Europe is even moving faster with 4G and 5G, your phone really not a "world" phone anymore

you can call  Kyocera and see if they can unlock for free. But they can't, don't pay for unlocking it, it does not worth it

[GrenouilleAgile]

yeah i thought so... but i just don't know that there is a sim card, can't seem to find where it would be located. Also, if techs from the phone brand or other techs from street mobile shops unaffiliated with providers are able to unlock any phones, i don't see why it would be above Public Mobile / Telus techs competence even if it was on another network... Maybe it's more a "not my responsibility" or excuse, or their main everyday techs are not trained enough to resolve that issue, but i wouldn't think it's an "impossible" tech task to accomplish in comprehensive global way. Or is it really? And i don't want to have to pay. When Public Mobile was purchased by Telus it came with responsabilities such as this one i would assume. So i'll try to find a tech within Public Mobile who can do it. Thank you.

[softech]

@Chalupa_Batman  @Phil_Adelphus 

the title implies that but  as said above, PM cannot unlock this phone from 2012, which was before it was purchased by Telus and PM was using a different network system

@GrenouilleAgile 

if you are only using the phone with Wifi, there is no need to unlock the phone.  You can remove the sim card and should be able to use it on wifi without issue

[GrenouilleAgile]

Yeah summoning an agent works using @CS_Agent and they replied quickly, but they thought i was carrying a phone from another provider so just redirected me to "the other provider" lol. Maybe they will see my reply and solve my issue thks.

[GrenouilleAgile]

What does that mean "3G is being phased out" ? i want to use it with WIFI at home to text via whats app or Instagram since it has an actual Keyboard when you slide it open. ergonomically i prefer. And yes i do an actual big amount of chatting that it's worth it. And i know the service provider shouldn't have to do anything with using WIFI but somehow it seems it does affect using WIFI. Or maybe a more tech s'a tú person can let me know. Also, when i travel i can use it with a sim to avoid theft. Yes, i'm a dancer and i go learn from the roots in quote on quote risky parts of the work for phone theft.

[CSA_PM]

Hi @ GrenouilleAgile 

Thanks for reaching out. While the phone may display Public Mobile branding, Public Mobile does not unlock phones and does not provide unlocking services—even for older devices originally sold by us. For assistance with unlocking, we recommend contacting the phone’s manufacturer directly. They may be able to provide further support.

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@softech wrote:

@Phil_Adelphus @Chalupa_Batman 

PM can only help provide sim unlock code.  Unlocking phones can only be done by the carriers who locked it in the first place or by the phone makers (like Samsung)

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Hey @softech and @CSA_PM 

The way I read @GrenouilleAgile question was that they purchased the phone from Public Mobile back in 2012. Hence, as the provider of said phone, have the ability to unlock it. I guess @GrenouilleAgile will have to clarify where they purchased the phone from.

EDIT: Thank you for clarifying @GrenouilleAgile . I read your question correctly and I was correct that Public Mobile has to unlock it since the phone was purchased from them.

[GrenouilleAgile]

@CS_Agent It's not a phone from another provider. It's a Public Mobile phone from 2012. When i open it, it loads Public Mobile graphics before going to screensaver.

thank you. It's Public Mobile responsibility to unlock it. 

[Phil_Adelphus]

@softech The OP implied in the title that the phone is currently locked to Public Mobile. Did PM even lock phones back then?  If this phone is exclusively CDMA it won't even work on Telus in any case.  Perhaps he/she wants to sell it on?  

[softech]

@Phil_Adelphus @Chalupa_Batman 

PM can only help provide sim unlock code.  Unlocking phones can only be done by the carriers who locked it in the first place or by the phone makers (like Samsung)

[CSA_PM]

Hi

Please note: Public Mobile does not unlock phones. If your device is locked, you’ll need to contact the original provider or the phone’s manufacturer for assistance.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@GrenouilleAgile  You would need to contact Public Mobile customer service, open a ticket at the chat icon bottom right of this page.  Having said that, is it even worth it for such an old 3G phone when 3G is being phased out?  What has it been doing since 2012, if it really is locked to Public Mobile it should not have been working on any other carrier.  

[Chalupa_Batman]

Hello @GrenouilleAgile 

You have to reach out to a CS Agent to resolve that.

Please use this link to the Public Mobile Chat Bot which will direct you to creating a trackable ticket. Enter CONTACT US into the chat and follow the prompts.

https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html?lang=en

A Customer Service Agent will reply to your community inbox here:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage

During business hours (9 AM-10 PM EST) you can expect a response within 30 minutes, but it may be longer depending on current volumes.