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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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 Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:32 pm Post subject: Unlocking Galaxy S |
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| I tried the Android app to unlock a overseas Galaxy S, but no joy. Has anyone successfully unlocked a Korean Galaxy S yet? |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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Is it that simple?
I thought that the WCDMA the Korean version runs needs a special mod to work as a pure GSM and vice-versa. You can use the Korean version roaming freely enough abroad, but can you change between GSM and WCDMA with just an app? |
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t1m1ty
Joined: 24 May 2009
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:39 am Post subject: Re: Unlocking Galaxy S |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| I tried the Android app to unlock a overseas Galaxy S, but no joy. Has anyone successfully unlocked a Korean Galaxy S yet? |
I'm pretty sure you can get it unlocked from SK. Try giving them a call or going to one of the stores |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:52 am Post subject: |
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| thrylos wrote: |
Is it that simple?
I thought that the WCDMA the Korean version runs needs a special mod to work as a pure GSM and vice-versa. You can use the Korean version roaming freely enough abroad, but can you change between GSM and WCDMA with just an app? |
WCDMA is the 3G GSM standard, prior to that GSM had a separate 2G standard, simply known as GSM.
Korean phone companies offer WCDMA, and CDMA. Most other countries offer WCDMA plus other standards (GSM, D-AMPS, CDMA).
The Galaxy S they sell here will work in other countries on either WCDMA or GSM networks, although the inability to view your IMEI number through #06# may be a problem. |
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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| thrylos wrote: |
Is it that simple?
I thought that the WCDMA the Korean version runs needs a special mod to work as a pure GSM and vice-versa. You can use the Korean version roaming freely enough abroad, but can you change between GSM and WCDMA with just an app? |
WCDMA is the 3G GSM standard, prior to that GSM had a separate 2G standard, simply known as GSM.
Korean phone companies offer WCDMA, and CDMA. Most other countries offer WCDMA plus other standards (GSM, D-AMPS, CDMA).
The Galaxy S they sell here will work in other countries on either WCDMA or GSM networks, although the inability to view your IMEI number through #06# may be a problem. |
There's a widget you can download from the marketplace called "IMEI widget" (or something very like that). It will show your IMEI. I have tried it on my Galaxy S and verified that it works. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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Did you know there's a hidden menu on the Galaxy S, where you change various network settings? I accessed it via an app called Better Cut (which is very useful btw). Password is 774632.
I didn't make any changes, because I'm not savvy enough to know what they mean, but the option to select different Network Modes is there. NOt sure how significant that really is, but it must mean something. |
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Skyblue
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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I'm thinking it's going to be easier to simply sell the thing before leaving rather than trying to get it up and running permanently elsewhere.
Damn Korean telecoms! |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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SK will tell you to go to an Anycall centre to have it unlocked, and that's only once it's off subsidy. I've been meaning to take mine there.
I also verified with someone in Toronto who ordered an unlocked Galaxy online from Korea (it was second hand) that it does in fact work there. The downer, it doesn't run on the 850mhz frequency rogers uses (GSM). Since Rogers/Fido only support 3G on that frequency you're stuck with 1900mhz and the EDGE 2G speeds on that network. Still not terrible. I don't know if any settings were changed PRIOR to it being sent out to North America since the seller knew it was going to be used there.
Can you just unlock it and pop in a sim from anywhere and it will work or do you have to play with the internal settings? This I was unable to find out. I may be going back home in 4 months and hope these questions have been resolved by then  |
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lalartu
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:45 am Post subject: |
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2G? stupid rogers/fido!
on the other hand our country has terrible cell phone services compared to others and phones were almost literally invented in Canada
cant wait for an alternative cell phone company that will finally bring fair services to the masses kinda like whats happening to the internet services providers in major cities now |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:58 am Post subject: |
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| lalartu wrote: |
2G? stupid rogers/fido!
on the other hand our country has terrible cell phone services compared to others and phones were almost literally invented in Canada
cant wait for an alternative cell phone company that will finally bring fair services to the masses kinda like whats happening to the internet services providers in major cities now |
Rogers does have 3G (and will adopt 4G shortly). Don't be mistaken.
My point was that our Korean Galaxy S phones don't support the 850mhz band. Rogers only offers 3G on that band (makes sense, 850mhz doesn't travel as far but penetrates much better than 1900mhz). Any phone sold by Rogers/Fido now supports 850 and 1900. Since the Galaxy will use 1900mhz when on Rogers, it won't get the 3G speeds. Americans may be luckier as I think 900mhz is supported which is what AT&T uses if I'm not mistaken. There are Galaxy's out there that support 850mhz, just not our Korean phones since they can roam on 1900mhz anyway.
Canada is a challenging market place as it's a huge country with a very low population density. The carriers endure high costs to ensure the entire country recieves service despite a low subscriber base. Higher rates are understandable and it's not much more expensive than Korea. I was paying about $70/month for my blackberry using comparable data. There are new carriers such as Wind which are offering a much better deal than the big boys... But they piggyback on the established networks for expanded coverage when traveling to remote areas of the country resulting in huge roaming fees. |
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lalartu
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:54 am Post subject: |
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problem with canadian cell phone giants is that they LOVE to overcharge you for things you didn't do
FIDO customer service and I had a love you hate you relationship going for years |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:13 am Post subject: |
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I posted in the Got Me a Galaxy S thread since it seems to be wear all the Galaxy users are posting... but since this thread is about unlocking the device I'll share the good news here too.
Galaxy S phones in Korea are sold unlocked!
I even verified this by using my Canadian sim card (which had me roaming on KT!).
So there you go  |
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