I just bought a Verizon-branded 8830 WE on eBay and moved to Tanzania. I checked the IMEI to make sure it wasn't reported lost/stolen and it came out clean. I unlocked the phone and took it with me to Tanzania, bought a SIM and found that the voice features work just fine. When I signed up for data service, though, it didn't work. I went to the provider (Vodacom) and they told me I was registered but that the PIN on the BB was locked and so I couldn't use the phone for data.
From what I've read online it seems I have to have Verizon release the PIN, right? I'm having trouble contacting them because of the time difference and connectivity difficulties. I am also not sure that I'm going to be able to get in touch with the original owner if they require that. (I've contacted the eBay seller I bought it from, but I'm guessing they got it from someone who got it from someone, etc.) Is there any other way to handle this?
Alternatively, if I end up having to get a new phone, is there any way to check whether the PIN is locked BEFORE I buy it? (This was not something I even knew to ask/look into.)
Thanks for any help...!
11-11-10 06:10 AM