[jasonklass]

So, I'm going to Argentina for 2 weeks and Verizon wants to charge $130 PLUS $5 per minute for international roaming! Obviously, I'm not going to pay that! After reading a lot of posts on this forum, my wife & I figured that we would be able to unlock our phones and buy a SIM card there that has the data pack, etc. for a LOT cheaper. Then, just switch back when we come home.

So, we went to the Verizon store today and they guy told us that Verizon does not provide unlock codes and that if we did it, it would permanently damage the phone. And, he said it wouldn't work anyway. Could he be right? I've seen tons of videos and articles on how to unlock the Storm--what gives? Is he just saying the party line?

[Duvi]

Rofl... he's lying. Attempt to call Verizon and tell them you are traveling abroad and that your friend from at&t got his unlock code and you wanted to do the same.

If they say no, then go with HorizonWirelessOnline

And no, it will not mess your device up. There a lots of users (including myself) that have used unlocked devices on the same network is was branded for. (I have an AT&T branded bold, unlocked and still using it on AT&T with no issues).

[ngreen]

So, I'm going to Argentina for 2 weeks and Verizon wants to charge $130 PLUS $5 per minute for international roaming! Obviously, I'm not going to pay that! After reading a lot of posts on this forum, my wife & I figured that we would be able to unlock our phones and buy a SIM card there that has the data pack, etc. for a LOT cheaper. Then, just switch back when we come home.

So, we went to the Verizon store today and they guy told us that Verizon does not provide unlock codes and that if we did it, it would permanently damage the phone. And, he said it wouldn't work anyway. Could he be right? I've seen tons of videos and articles on how to unlock the Storm--what gives? Is he just saying the party line?

Jason that is nuts. VZW reps just have no clue sometimes.
We can get you unlocked instantly.
Contact me if you still need.

[audioliquor]

$130?! WTF?!

a question for all ye smart people - so are you saying that if i unlocked my phone and buy a local SIM card and use it overseas, when i come back i can just pretend nothing has happened? or do i need to "re-lock" it?

[ngreen]

When you come back just change the network technology back to 1XEV. That's it. You can not re lock the phone. You will have no problem with VZW when you switch back.

[jasonklass]

Jason that is nuts. VZW reps just have no clue sometimes.
We can get you unlocked instantly.
Contact me if you still need.

Wow, thanks! How would I go about doing that?

[jasonklass]

$130?! WTF?!

Tell me about it. The thing is, I for the Storm because you can pretty much use it anywhere in the world. Every other country is way cheaper but for some reason, Argentina is $5 per minute. That's just a insultingly ridiculous and I'm pretty disappointed in Verzion right now.

[Jcody]

Five bucks damn

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[TheTruth8]

The international charges are based on what that particular country charges VZW to relay those calls through the systems that the certain country owns themselves. Some places are more cooperative than others. Not only that but some of them are used much much much more often, and probably have a deal worked out for the call transfers between the two. Another factor also lies in if it is all CDMA systems being used or if the satellites need to be involved.

Though i'm not saying I think that is a cheap phone call by any means, or whether there is a way around it. But there are more factors in play than most people consider what it takes to get calls in some areas over others.

[TheTruth8]

and to the OP, i can't remember all the details right now. but also when you talk with them again, ask about temporarily adding the International Value feature or Global Pkg. may save you a couple bucks.

worth a shot

[zoomzoom9]

The international data plan is $60 or $70/month, but they remove your BES/BIS plan for it (you'll still get your e-mails and unlimited data). Then when you come back, have them change it back and prorate the charge. It should come out to a dollar or two more a day at most.

For making calls, I recommend a local SIM card. Also remember to change your settings from Global or 1XEV to GSM. The phone tries to use CDMA first it seems, though most other countries use GSM, so this will stop it from trying to use CDMA.

[nemo-maritime]

So, I'm going to Argentina for 2 weeks and Verizon wants to charge $130 PLUS $5 per minute for international roaming! Obviously, I'm not going to pay that! After reading a lot of posts on this forum, my wife & I figured that we would be able to unlock our phones and buy a SIM card there that has the data pack, etc. for a LOT cheaper. Then, just switch back when we come home.

So, we went to the Verizon store today and they guy told us that Verizon does not provide unlock codes and that if we did it, it would permanently damage the phone. And, he said it wouldn't work anyway. Could he be right? I've seen tons of videos and articles on how to unlock the Storm--what gives? Is he just saying the party line?

That would suck if it was that much for me. Going abroad as well, and thought I had everything figured out. I was going to use the international data plan and was planning on installing Skype.... but Skype is not natively made for the Storm as of yet , so that failed, but I do have an unlocked WinMo phone as well so it might work out. I did find out that most of the SIMs I have been looking at give you free incoming calls from a majority of other countries. So it would save me some money as long as they call me.

[jdoc77]

Tell me about it. The thing is, I for the Storm because you can pretty much use it anywhere in the world. Every other country is way cheaper but for some reason, Argentina is $5 per minute. That's just a insultingly ridiculous and I'm pretty disappointed in Verzion right now.

$5/min... It's taxes. Argentina is a socialist country.... but then, the US will be too before 2012...

[audioliquor]

When you come back just change the network technology back to 1XEV. That's it. You can not re lock the phone. You will have no problem with VZW when you switch back.

sweet. thanks for the help!