I was a little reluctant to switch my TMobile to Sprint, because one of the things I love about TMobile is that customer support is done here in the U.S., so you can actually understand what they're saying, Vs. Sprint's use of overseas call centers. Plus, I know that TMobile has been increasing their tower capacity in the various cities I travel to (they did a massive tower overhaul in Houston right before the Super Bowl), resulting in few times of congested towers. So, I decided to open a new line on Sprint's promo of switch to us and get a year free (so can run side by side with TMO and compare service), even though you're supposed to actually switch carriers to qualify.
What I did was to create a new google voice number, pay the $3 fee to unlock it for porting, created a PIN code to associate with the account (necessary for porting), and used that number. It worked flawlessly. It did require two phone calls, one to set up the Sprint account and another to finish the porting, but. . .
My experience with this promo, using a new, unlocked Moto G5 Plus and a Google Voice #
Used a SIM from amazon, which I was skeptical of using. The listing only mentions Apple (phone is Android) and Sprint is known for having both device-specific SIMs AND promo specific SIMs. In fact, according to Sprint reps last month, this promo required a specific model of SIM (SIMOLW506C). Amazon listing says SIMGLW436C but they sent a SIMOLW416C
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OE78KS4 (initially bought it intending to use in an iphone but since I had it...)
If you want to play it safe and use the recommended SIM (SIMOLW506C) you can buy it on Sprint's website at
https://m.sprint.com/shop/mobile/shop/accessory/ao/accessory_details.jsp?accSKU=105500049 From my experience, the whole thing goes much easier if you have the SIM before you call.
Edit - It looks like I simply got lucky in getting the right sim for my phone (Moto G5+). Just read that the Moto E4 requires the 416 SIM
Anyway, regarding the promo and porting a Google Voice number:
Went to Google Voice, paid the $3 and created a PIN code.
to pay the $3 unlock fee:
https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/unlockSet up a PIN code - go to Google Voice, click the More icon on left column, click Legacy Google Voice, click gear icon on far right, select Settings, click the Voicemail and Text tab, enter a Voicemail PIN code.
Tried to use the website
https://www.sprint.com/content/Sprint/sprint_com/us/en/shop/bring-your-own-phone.html?phone=byod but when I put in my IMEI and phone # (which it said was fine), and it tried to load the next page, it sat there with the loading icon doing nothing.
called 866-782-8777
Told agent I wanted to sign up for the transfer a number and get a year free promo. When it came time to tell him the carrier and phone number, I said I was transferring a Google Project Fi number. Used phone # as account # and gave the PIN number I set up in Google Voice.
After going through all of the hoops of setting up a new account, was told to turn phone off (if not already off) and turn it on in about 10 minutes.
Went about doing other stuff and checked a couple of hours later, and still not working. So, decided to check status of porting of number at
https://shop2.sprint.com/en/wlnp/check.shtmlit said that transfer had been authorized by my old provider, it was now waiting for port activation, and to call Sprint at 866-437-1818. I called the number and the person answering took my Sprint info (# and Sprint PIN). After a little bit he said that it was now activated.
Waited a few minutes then turned phone on. In order to get internet to work, I had to go into settings / carrier settings and tell it to update device config and PRL.
Phone worked straight away for incoming and outgoing calls, internet on phone, and outgoing messaging. Incoming messaging took a few hours to start working.
I tried repeatedly to sign up for My Sprint using ported phone number (going through the main Sprint site), but it kept saying "Device is not active or has been cancelled". Nor was I able to sign up using the link they sent to my email. When trying that link it says "Invalid email" Eventually (a few more hours later) I was able to create a My Sprint account by going through the website
https://mysprint.sprint.com/mysprint/pages/sl/common/createProfile.jspInterestingly, it says my device is available for upgrade despite the fact that the terms of the promo are such that you're not supposed to be able to do that for 90 days, that doing that before 90 days is up will void the promo. Other people have reported that their account shows they can't upgrade until October.
Edit - now it says that my device won't be upgrade eligible until July 1, 2019 (a year after the promo ends). The terms of the promo is that it's supposed to be Oct 1, 2017. Pretty much a moot point though since I doubt that I'll be financing a phone on the line.
Signed up for AAdvantage rewards. It's still unknown whether or not that promo will work with the free lines.
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