GSM SIM question

"voltar-the friendly toad" <voltartoad@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:83179763.0402131209.ab70198@posting.google.co m...
> If a phone is found in the trash or anywhere else for that matter, and
> one takes the SIM from their phone and put it in the found phone would
> it work? What about linking of the trashed phone's ESN with the SIM's
> account.
>
>
> thanks
> Scott
It depends . If the original owner notified the phone company that the phone
was trashed, lost or stolen, it shouldn't work. Otherwise, it should work.
This is why you need to use access code to prevent this missuse.

Mandzo wrote:

> "voltar-the friendly toad" <voltartoad@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:83179763.0402131209.ab70198@posting.google.co m...
>
>>If a phone is found in the trash or anywhere else for that matter, and
>>one takes the SIM from their phone and put it in the found phone would
>>it work? What about linking of the trashed phone's ESN with the SIM's
>>account.
>>
>>
>>thanks
>>Scott
>
> It depends . If the original owner notified the phone company that the phone
> was trashed, lost or stolen, it shouldn't work. Otherwise, it should work.
> This is why you need to use access code to prevent this missuse.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the access code is tied to the
SIM card, not the phone. Some carriers *may* block the
phone (based on IMEI [serial] number, if the phone is
reported stolen.

--
M2

>If a phone is found in the trash or anywhere else for that matter, and
>one takes the SIM from their phone and put it in the found phone would
>it work? What about linking of the trashed phone's ESN with the SIM's
>account.
>

The beauty of the GSM system is that all the customers information is stored on
the SIM. Now, if the phone is stolen they might report it and get the IMEI
number blocked (similar to the ESN in a TDMA/AMPS phone). Although not an
integral part of the SIM, this could prevent the phone from working.

--
John S.
e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net

>Correct me if I am wrong, but the access code is tied to the
>SIM card, not the phone. Some carriers *may* block the
>phone (based on IMEI [serial] number, if the phone is
>reported stolen.

There are two different security code sets. The SIM card "PIN" and the phone
"Security Code".

The PIN when turned on is asked for any time the phone is turned on. 3 wrong
"guesses" and the SIM is locked and you need the PUK code, typically from the
carrier.

The phone can also be set up to recognize a different SIM and ask for the
phones security code. This is a 5 digit code that prevents the phone from being
used if another SIM is inserted.

--
John S.
e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net