iPhone Vs Storm

[breiningac]

Simple question that I and MANY others cannot find the answer to.  How is it, that people get an "unlocked" version of the Blackberry Storm onto the AT&T network (of course AT&T allows the consumer to use it, despite it's exclusivity to Verizon) but it is IMPOSSIBLE to get an iPhone onto the Verizon network?  I understand the difference between CDMA and the others, but how does the Storm accept both and the iPhone does not?

[SLIKRICK]

Actually, you answered the question. CDMA phones aren't compatible with GSM networks, and vice-versa.

Without even getting involved in the issues dealing with locking or unlocking of the actual iPhone in this conversation, a GSM phone isn't going to work on a CDMA network, anyway, so it's a moot point, really.

[circuitdragon]

I can't say much about getting the GSM iPhone to "work" on other networks...not much info around for that...but from what I understand about the Storm, since a guy here in the office is using it on AT&T, is the voice ONLY works. No way it will do any data, besides wifi maybe, not sure if thats on the Storm. But the point is, the only thing AT&Ts network will do for it is voice, and thats all. Now, I have no seen his bill personally to know if thats true, but thats what I gather. No clue if the voice signals are the same, or universal in some way amoung providers. Guess that could be asked of the FCC. But again, I have only heard of that much going on with the Storm. If any part of that were true, then you could assume that a GSM phone may work on a CDMA, if only getting voice service, but then....the iPhone is a completely different beast of a whole seperate color. Anyhow, it would be rather interesting to see some real facts about this. Personally, I do not see why you would want to get such an expensive device to just have 2% of its functions, going either way on this topic.

[satchev · Accepted solution]

It's really quite simple.

The storm is a "world phone" because it has a CDMA and GSM radio.

The iPhone only has a GSM radio.

[rdubmu]

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circuitdragon wrote:
I can't say much about getting the GSM iPhone to "work" on other networks...not much info around for that...but from what I understand about the Storm, since a guy here in the office is using it on AT&T, is the voice ONLY works. No way it will do any data, besides wifi maybe, not sure if thats on the Storm. But the point is, the only thing AT&Ts network will do for it is voice, and thats all. Now, I have no seen his bill personally to know if thats true, but thats what I gather. No clue if the voice signals are the same, or universal in some way amoung providers. Guess that could be asked of the FCC. But again, I have only heard of that much going on with the Storm. If any part of that were true, then you could assume that a GSM phone may work on a CDMA, if only getting voice service, but then....the iPhone is a completely different beast of a whole seperate color. Anyhow, it would be rather interesting to see some real facts about this. Personally, I do not see why you would want to get such an expensive device to just have 2% of its functions, going either way on this topic.

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Actually this isn't true. The Strom works on Edge network, so yes, Data works.  

[breiningac]

Ok, so since we have that answer now, the next question is why does AT&T allow its subscribers to use it?  Its supposed to be exclusive to Verizon.  The companies know what type of phone your using, so why not interrupt service to those users?  Is AT&T just trying to get all the money they can for fear of loosing yet another customer to Verizon or what?

[phonejunkie30]

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breiningac wrote:
Ok, so since we have that answer now, the next question is why does AT&T allow its subscribers to use it?  Its supposed to be exclusive to Verizon.  The companies know what type of phone your using, so why not interrupt service to those users?  Is AT&T just trying to get all the money they can for fear of loosing yet another customer to Verizon or what?

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your question is already answered the phone is unlocked it just like the iphone is exclusive to att yet folks on tmobile are using them unlocked on that network.  this thread should be closed now....