[Q] Activating a Thunderbolt on Alltel - Thunderbolt Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have tried a few times getting this answered, but never actually got an answer. I'm on an Alltel Smart plan, vzw has not engulfed the Alltel stores in our area. I've seen in posts that other members have gotten them to work on other networks, Alltel included, and I was just wondering how the whole process works? I've tried just switching it out with my current plan. The calls and text work, but not the data. Do I have to call vzw to unlock the sim card and that's all, or is there something more to it? I've looked and looked, and all I see is that it's possible, but not how to do it exactly. You can tell me it's possible to travel to the moon, but until you tell me how to build a rocket, I will never get there.

I don't think the data will work with alltel.
You can give Alltel a call and see what they say

The posts here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115840 suggest that it is possible, which I couldn't see why they wouldn't since the CDMA should still work, but I tried it once before and got nothing. I'm just curious if unlocking the SIM card would do it, or what I do have to do to get it to work.

I'm on an Alltel plan and I had no trouble activating the thunderbolt on my plan.
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Did you have data working on it? What did you do to get it working? Was it unlocked, or did that not matter since the SIM is only used by the 4G?

I'm going to have to go in extra early to work and phone it in, since my current phone is dead, and I want to have as much info as possible going into it.

Everything works just fine. The plan has nothing to do with the service you get from your phone. When Verizon bought Alltel they bought their towers as well so everything that worked with Alltel was transferred to Verizon.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Tried phoning it in, to no avail. They asked for the MEID number. I thought it was the same as the EMEI number but wasn't sure so I played dumb. Got me nowhere since they couldn't find the model number of the TBolt in their system. And since the Desire's Number starts off A100 and the TBolt's starts off HT12, I can't pass it off as a desire? And they seem to be rather persistent on it being an alltel phone...

If your trying to activate this on at&t it will never work. The radio is a totally different band than the Verizon network.
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disconnecktie said:
If your trying to activate this on at&t it will never work. The radio is a totally different band than the Verizon network.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alltel and att are 2 different companies
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donnyp1 said:
Alltel and att are 2 different companies
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up. I had no idea..... The desire sim will not work in the t bolt. I don't see how the t bolt could ever work on Alltel without being able to activate it with a sim in it. Call Verizon and talk to them about it. They should be able to transfer your account to Verizon no problem and send you a sim so you can activate the phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

disconnecktie said:
If your trying to activate this on at&t it will never work. The radio is a totally different band than the Verizon network.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alltel, which you have verified was working on Alltel. They just keep giving me the runaround on activating it since it's not an Alltel phone.

disconnecktie said:
Thanks for clearing that up. I had no idea..... The desire sim will not work in the t bolt. I don't see how the t bolt could ever work on Alltel without being able to activate it with a sim in it. Call Verizon and talk to them about it. They should be able to transfer your account to Verizon no problem and send you a sim so you can activate the phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The desire does not have a sim since it is only 3g capable.
You said earlier that you had your tbolt working on your alltel plan.
I don't want to switch to verizon.

Don't you love how people state that they have done something and do not provide a link or info to backup what they said could be done? People, if you say that you got something to work where others have not. Use a little common courtesy and provide some info. Otherwise you are either misleading or teasing some one for no good reason at all.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA

All i did was call Verizon and had my plan from Alltel grandfathered over. How freaking hard is that to do? Is it that hard that a guide is really necessary? He will need a sim for his t bolt and the only way to get one is to have Verizon give him one.
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disconnecktie said:
All i did was call Verizon and had my plan from Alltel grandfathered over. How freaking hard is that to do? Is it that hard that a guide is really necessary? He will need a sim for his t bolt and the only way to get one is to have Verizon give him one.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You nor anyone ever said that you grandfathered over to vzw. It is not my plan, it is my parents and as they prefer to stay with alltel since they are cheaper, I don't really have that option.
As the post title says, I need to get the phone ACTIVATED on alltel, not grandfathered into a new plan. I've had the phone and text working on it before, I just needed assistance on getting the data to work on it if possible.
Posts here on the boards state that there are tbolts activated on alltel, but none state HOW. And since there is a sim card involved, that is all I'm trying to figure out. Is it possible as others' posts' suggest, or am I just sol until my contract expires in a few months?

I couldn't get the t bolt to activate without the sim. It will show a no sim error on the lockscreen and won't let data through. That is at least what I experienced. I would try talking to reps on Verizon and see what you can do because I bet if you get the right person on the line they will figure something out.
Check this link out https://vzwsupport.jive-mobile.com:443/#jive-discussion?content=%2Fapi%2Fcore%2Fv2%2Fdiscussions%2F593956
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

disconnecktie said:
I couldn't get the t bolt to activate without the sim. It will show a no sim error on the lockscreen and won't let data through. That is at least what I experienced. I would try talking to reps on Verizon and see what you can do because I bet if you get the right person on the line they will figure something out.
Check this link out https://vzwsupport.jive-mobile.com:443/#jive-discussion?content=/api/core/v2/discussions/593956
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. If I can get data to work, it is preferable, and since I was told in the first link I posted that a lot of members here had it, I thought I would try it. But I haven't gotten anywhere with anyone .
That link doesn't seem to work, it's error'ing out on me. I guess I'll just have to settle for call and text for awhile. Thanks tho, and sorry if I came off a bit harsh.

No big deal. The only way I've seen ( I have googled his by the way) is by getting your plan grandfathered over to Verizon.
You can't do everything without the sim in a t bolt.
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Related

Question about reactivation?

Im going to be switching back to this DROIDX for a week or 2 to make sure everythings smooth and fully operational before I put it up for sale. I have no problem using verizonwireless.com to activate 3g phones, its the 4g ones with sim cards im lost about. Can someone help me out a little here?
Sent from my DROIDX
You shouldn't have any trouble. Just make sure you have verizon send you a new lte sim.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
These are only one use sims? That seems stupid and cost ineffective
Sent from my ADR6400L
Yep. Gsm phones on verizon do to but they don't need the sim for activation like lte phones do. You could call customer service and have them mail one to you so when you're ready to switch back you won't have to wait for it to come in the mail. Then all you have to do is call, tell them you want to switch phones and they'll ask for your meid on the t bolt and the number on the sim card.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Ugh. This is why I'm going to at&t. I hate this.
Sent from my ADR6400L

data issues

I purchased an S 2 from AT&T a while back. I have sense let my plan run out and now bought a prepaid SIM card. the problem is is that now my data does not work because of the 4 G AT&T does not offer 4 G with a prepaid. there is hardly any 4 G coverage where I'm from anyways but I would at least like the 3G to work. is there a way that I can get it to work like flashing ROM or something. I'm not a total noob to this stuff I just hang out at android Forums because of my zte. thank you very much for any of your help.
jdremler said:
I purchased an S 2 from AT&T a while back. I have sense let my plan run out and now bought a prepaid SIM card. the problem is is that now my data does not work because of the 4 G AT&T does not offer 4 G with a prepaid. there is hardly any 4 G coverage where I'm from anyways but I would at least like the 3G to work. is there a way that I can get it to work like flashing ROM or something. I'm not a total noob to this stuff I just hang out at android Forums because of my zte. thank you very much for any of your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your SIM card doesnt allow it, then its not gonna be possible. No S/W can change that.
But if your SIM does allow 3g, then odds are you need proper APN settings. Google it if thats the case.
MotoMudder77 said:
If your SIM card doesnt allow it, then its not gonna be possible. No S/W can change that.
But if your SIM does allow 3g, then odds are you need proper APN settings. Google it if thats the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think that it would the 50 dollar monthly unlimited plan. from everything that I've read thus far I've got it narrowed down to something with the phone. I read about the apn settings once before and thought that that was it so I will definitely read more and do what needs to be done.thanks
jdremler said:
I purchased an S 2 from AT&T a while back. I have sense let my plan run out and now bought a prepaid SIM card. the problem is is that now my data does not work because of the 4 G AT&T does not offer 4 G with a prepaid. there is hardly any 4 G coverage where I'm from anyways but I would at least like the 3G to work. is there a way that I can get it to work like flashing ROM or something. I'm not a total noob to this stuff I just hang out at android Forums because of my zte. thank you very much for any of your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By any chance are you using Straight Talk? You were vague about which prepaid service.
Straight Talk is supposed to offer an AT&T compatible sim that actually works off the AT&T network.
Sent from my smooth as butter SGH-I777.
mattern1974 said:
By any chance are you using Straight Talk? You were vague about which prepaid service.
Straight Talk is supposed to offer an AT&T compatible sim that actually works off the AT&T network.
Sent from my smooth as butter SGH-I777.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But he'd still have to change his apn settings, the straight talk peepz give u the apns.
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Phalanx7621 said:
True. But he'd still have to change his apn settings, the straight talk peepz give u the apns.
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Click to collapse
sorry about being so vague yes it is the AT&T prepaid service. I'm doing the apn settings as we speak so will see if they work.
I had the 50 dollar unlimited plan as well but it really is only for calling and texting. I still had to purchase a data plan and it was 25 dollars for one gig.After I got the data plan 4G started. You have to use the old cingular apn settings to get 4G but you cannot get 4G LTE on a prepaid plan. And just a heads up...when your prepaid needs to be renewed..4G data will shutdown for a few hours.
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EQ2192012 said:
I had the 50 dollar unlimited plan as well but it really is only for calling and texting. I still had to purchase a data plan and it was 25 dollars for one gig.After I got the data plan 4G started. You have to use the old cingular apn settings to get 4G but you cannot get 4G LTE on a prepaid plan. And just a heads up...when your prepaid needs to be renewed..4G data will shutdown for a few hours.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Our phones cant use LTE.
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Phalanx7621 said:
Our phones cant use LTE.
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Click to collapse
Check out his sig. His skyrocket can Phailanx.
Team Pirate
Sent from Pirateghost's house
brandonarev said:
Check out his sig. His skyrocket can Phailanx.
Team Pirate
Sent from Pirateghost's house
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know,and I saw he has one hehe. Just thought I'd chime in to let the OP know so he didn't go asking about it
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[Q] Possible to use Note i717 without data plan?

At&t has me buying a mandatory data plan(3gb) when I use about 300mb a month and that is because I purposely shut off wifi so I dont feel like a jackass for paying for something I do not use...
I have no need at all for data,I am always near a wifi spot,is there a way to make it seem like my smartphone is a dumbphone?
I have a bunch of att branded flip-phones laying around,is there a way to take the imei from of these and put it on the Note i717?
I'm sure if it is possible,it is complicated.Just wondering.
Thanks.
Buy a sim card for a dumbphone and put it in your smartphone
Sent from my MB855 running AT&T using xda app-developers app
I tried to do something similar.
I called At&t and told them that I wanted to use a flip phone and gave them the IMEI and everything,I used it for a few days and after I put it in an Atrix 2 I have.After 3 days I got a text saying they added a data plan for $20 to my account lol.
They can read the IMEI of the phone,if you call customer service,they can even tell you what sim is in what phone at that very moment.
MarcquisDale said:
Buy a sim card for a dumbphone and put it in your smartphone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that will work. I had that argument with at&t about not needing the data add-on for my sister-in-law's phone. She wanted the large screen for SMS and doesn't know the internet exists. I put an old 64k sim in the phone, and within the day the phone was cut off. After a call to at&t, they told me I need a data plan with the phone. They detect the type of phone.
Don't bring up the topic of phone cloning - its illegal and banned on xda, as it should be.
So it is "phone cloning"?
didnt know,thanks for the heads up.
I can understand making data mandatory on a subsidized phone but on one bought off contract,it is unfair.
PassingThruLife said:
At&t has me buying a mandatory data plan(3gb) when I use about 300mb a month and that is because I purposely shut off wifi so I dont feel like a jackass for paying for something I do not use...
I have no need at all for data,I am always near a wifi spot,is there a way to make it seem like my smartphone is a dumbphone?
I have a bunch of att branded flip-phones laying around,is there a way to take the imei from of these and put it on the Note i717?
I'm sure if it is possible,it is complicated.Just wondering.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Illegal, and will get caught by the carrier...
Activate a flip phone if you don't want a smart phone ...IMHO ....g
PassingThruLife said:
I can understand making data mandatory on a subsidized phone but on one bought off contract,it is unfair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me, brother, I'm in 100% agreement with you, but it's at&t's tune we dance to.
I think i am just going to sell this Note i717 and get a Nexus 7 for my tablet needs and pick up a tmobile branded galaxy s or something else cheap.
Pick up a Roger's I717R Note if you want to stay with this phone. ATT can't recognize the phone and won't put you on a data plan.
What kind of plan were you trying? Im using at&t prepaid and i havent been cut off
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Prepaid what? OP doesn't want data.
At&t no data just text,mms and calling
Using a sprint phone i gsm unlocked
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MarcquisDale said:
At&t no data just text,mms and calling
Using a sprint phone i gsm unlocked
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't make sense. Sprint phones are CDMA not GSM. Sprint network doesn't use a sim card to register. In other words, no sprint phone on at&t network.
rangercaptain said:
That doesn't make sense. Sprint phones are CDMA not GSM. Sprint network doesn't use a sim card to register. In other words, no sprint phone on at&t network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664212
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MarcquisDale said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664212
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says MOTOROLA PHOTON. NOT I717..... Not sure where you trying to go with pasting a thread that has no relation to us....
I am pretty sure no one has successfully been able to do this unless the phone has hardware for both radios GSM & CDMA
Yes it has ability for both thread i posted allow for domestic gsm
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
A Motorola photon from sprint with a Japanese radio. . .glad it works for you. But its off topic and not helpful for the OP.
I've been using AT&T prepaid plan for a few years now, the GNote is my third phone with prepaid plan ($50/mo: unlimited calling, text, data{only for non-smart phones}) but I'm cool with that. So I don't see why you can't do the same.
youngunix said:
I've been using AT&T prepaid plan for a few years now, the GNote is my third phone with prepaid plan ($50/mo: unlimited calling, text, data{only for non-smart phones}) but I'm cool with that. So I don't see why you can't do the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what i did
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
rangercaptain said:
I don't think that will work. I had that argument with at&t about not needing the data add-on for my sister-in-law's phone. She wanted the large screen for SMS and doesn't know the internet exists. I put an old 64k sim in the phone, and within the day the phone was cut off. After a call to at&t, they told me I need a data plan with the phone. They detect the type of phone.
Don't bring up the topic of phone cloning - its illegal and banned on xda, as it should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to this comment. At&t will also know if you are using any smartphone from any network or assume its a smart phone I guess. My wife uses a galaxy s 4g exclusive to t-mobile for about 4 months now. Last week she was hit with the 3 gig addition as well. They dont even know what type of phone it is. All she did was turn on the data to download an sms and bam a day later she got the the email.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium

[Q] Inc 4g on Straight Talk?

My contract with Verizon is ending in a few months and I am wanting to take my phone to a prepaid provider. I am wanting to go to straight talk. Can this be done? If so how?
Also, what are other prepaid providers that will work with this phone?
You should be able to take it with you. Straight talk is a third party vendor that has contracts with all of the major wireless companies.
Sent from my ADR6410LVW using xda app-developers app
So if I should be able to can you tell me how I can use my phone on ST.
Do I just need to buy the sim and use it? Or is it more involved?
I dug around and found the only non- LTE phones are able to be used with straight talk at this time. Sorry.
Sent from my ADR6410LVW using xda app-developers app
spazmcghee said:
I dug around and found the only non- LTE phones are able to be used with straight talk at this time. Sorry.
Sent from my ADR6410LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang, thats what I was afraid of.
Would it maybe work if you switched the network mode to GSM, or CDMA? Im guessing you might only get 3g service then?
g8-rez said:
Dang, thats what I was afraid of.
Would it maybe work if you switched the network mode to GSM, or CDMA? Im guessing you might only get 3g service then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using this phone on ST. I had to buy a SIM card & minutes. The SIM card is the TMo card & I bought a SIM cutter to cut it to the right size. I didn't have any trouble actually getting it to work. There might have been some settings to change, but I found all that here.
I only get Edge data, but I use wireless mostly so not a huge deal. The only thing I haven't figured out, despite much searching & playing with settings, is getting MMS to work. Which didn't seem like a huge deal until I realized that anytime someone sends a group text it's an MMS.

Am I screwed?

I have for the past few years always bought the phones I wanted from craigslist, I would get an att phone and then root+ custom rom then use on straightalk by setting the APN.
Well when the note 2 came out I really wanted one but couldnt find one under $600 used, so I got on a friends verizon plan and paid $300 for my note 2.
Fast foward a year or so and now she is letting the phones get shut off due to an outstanding balance on it (always paid my part)
So my question is.... will this phone need unlocked to be able to use it on straight talk? Would a root and custom rom be all thats needed or do i need to have it unlocked? I still have my straight talk sim card.
This is my first time dealing with a verizon phone and a situation like this.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Please post all questions and help issues in the Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Anyone?
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deezdrama said:
Anyone?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, your current phone might not be eligible for any plan on VZW since she is terminating for outstanding payment. It depends if they block your device from the network or not, go to a Verizon store with your device and explain the situation, I'm sure they would try to retain the business if it is at all possible.
deezdrama said:
Anyone?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use this phone on ATT and Tmobile and any of their MVNO's as well as on Pageplus, selectel and couple others.. So to answer your question NO you are not screwed you still have options..
This phone comes unlocked already no need to install custom rom. but you do need to change the APN's
just pull out the Verizon sim card and pop in the sim card you have and should work but you will have to change the apns for mms and data
Awesome... thanks
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No you're not. I've tested almost all gsm prepaid services and they work. Not lte speeds but at least hspa+
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium

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