How can I get an SPV for use in the USA

[Guest pigcorn]

I am on the Tmobile network and I was wondering what is the most inexpensive way for me to purchase an SPV for 100% use in the US. I have seen them on Ebay for a lot of $$$ and I don't know if that is really my cheapest option.

Thanks, cool forum.

[Guest Emad]

The cheapest way to get a handset is to follow The_Bricksters advice here: http://www.modaco.com/viewtopic...t=1163&start=15. That takes it to about £230 (inc £6 a month GPRS package - just give the sim card to someone in the uk - 30-50mb a month GPRS is very expensive normally..).

If you purchase from The Link, I think you can change the contract after only 1 month - they also do a price match, so see if you can find it cheap somewhere (themobilerepublic had it at £0?) and tell them to price match it..

As for getting it to work on other networks, theres this thread http://www.modaco.com/viewtopic.php?t=897. The new update seems to kill that off though, so you'll need either to a) order an unlocking code from Orange (£20-£30) or :D get it unlocked by some random person (look around and it'll be about £50). Hope that helps.

[Guest pigcorn]

And they won't care that I want it shipped to the US and when I sign the contract I am from the US? So it would be like they send my bill to me here in the states every month?

Also why does Orange sell unlock codes for so cheap (20-30) if they have to spend 100's subisidizing the phone? Not complaining of course, just wondering. Has anyone recieved an unlock code from Orange for their SPV yet?

Thanks.

[Guest JaToAc]

what makes the cost is that orange wants the 12 month in advance plus the money for unlocking....

[Guest pigcorn]

So the steps to get the phone for someone in the US are:

1- Order from modaco.com

2- I am then billed by Orange and I say I want to buy an unlock code

3- Pay the 12months in advance and the unlock code

4-I now have an unlocked SPV that I can put my US Tmobile sim in and I no longer have a contract with Orange.

Is this correct. Also with the conversion rate it would cost me about $415 US. Hmm, not sure this would be a bullet proof plan.

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

This is correct. Shame that no-one seems to be able to get an unlock code out of Orange atm!

P

[Guest claudine]

another thing - I'm pretty sure last time I tried for a friend - Orange won't let you have a monthly contract phone until you've lived here for at least three months, and can prove it - ie. have your name on the electoral register, have bills in your name etc. I think to do the above, you'd need to find a good friend over here who'd order it in their name

[Guest daveng]

You can buy an SPV for 529€ in France with no subscrition to Orange.

They have to give you the unlock code if you pay that price, the problem is that I bought mine 3 weeks ago and still no trace of the unlock code.

The guy that sold me the phone at the Orange shop is a friend of mine, so he's been sending faxes and calling people all over Orange to get that code, but no luck so far.

In the meantime I use the "swap SIM" trick to get it to work with my network.

Another thing, the SPV does not come with the camera in France and it is not available as an accessory at the moment.

[Guest Zorglub]

If you are patient you will soon (January or February) learn that some major US carrier will soon release a Smartphone. It'll probably be cheaper for you and you might even get it at the same time seeing all the stuff you have to do to get one from Europe.

[Guest yatpeak]

I live in Aus and got an unlocked SPV for chirstmas. My dad bought the phone and though I have no idea whether it was easy or hard for him, he got it.

[Guest yatpeak]

I live in Aus and got an unlocked SPV for chirstmas. My dad bought the phone and though I have no idea whether it was easy or hard for him, he got it.