atmaspheric endeavors - Latest Comments in Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

Jonathan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:46:39 -0000

I would expect the SIM to be removable regardless... I would be curious about what happens with a SIM from another carrier in your modem though. That's the part that's locked and what I need for travel.

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

david parmet — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:40:50 -0000

I've got a Sierra Wireless 3G modem from AT&T and the SIM card is removable.

On the other hand, it's been four months and I still haven't seen any sign of that rebate.

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

Jonathan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:18:26 -0000

The contract pricing is certainly attractive ... but I'm thinking now I might as well just get an unlocked device. I'd rather not deal with the BS now at all

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

Rich Neville — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:52:22 -0000

Jon - you have it right, it's corporate greed. The margin on international roaming is usually 60-70%. That's much higher than almost any other product they sell. Further, most networks have agreements with other international operators to deliver a certain amount of traffic to their networks. If AT&T made it easy for you to swap SIMs, everyone would do it and AT&T would not meet their traffic commitment (which could cost millions).

From a technical perspective, the device looks at the IMSI of the SIM and analyzes the first six digits. The first six digits provide the country code and network code (know as the MCC/MNC). If they match what the device is expecting you are good to go, otherwise, the device won't register. Howard Forum's and the like have unlock solutions for most devices.

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

Jonathan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:28:51 -0000

No Worries - I can't believe it's locked. There's no reason for that other than corporate greed

Re: Dear AT&T - Why is a modem locked??

KevinCTofel — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:22:19 -0000

Hi Jonathan, I saw that you had some questions / comments on my original post. Unfortunately, I got tied up until after you answered most of your own questions. I'm surprised that the modem is locked to a carrier, considering all of the frequency bands that it supports. Hmm.... I wonder if that's why the Icera Livanto chipset was used since it's so versatile via firmware updates.