Question about locked and unlocked hotspots

[DMacLeod]

Does a locked hotspot simply mean it can only be used for one particular service provider? I'm thinking about purchasing a Netgear MR1100 from AT&T to do some connectivity testing. I plan on getting a prepaid plan that I can cancel after a couple of months after my testing. I will then look into AT&T plans through a 3rd party but will want to keep the hotspot and use it with the 3rd party plan. Will it matter if the hotspot I purchase from AT&T is locked or not?



thanks

[smiller]

Hotspots are often sold locked but typically carriers will provide an unlock code upon request (in fact I believe that they have to by law these days), although there may be a requirement for some amount of paid service if the unit was discounted at the time of sale. Probably best to check with AT&T for a definite answer.

Once the unlock code is entered then the device will be permanently unlocked and can be used with any carrier (assuming proper LTE band support.)

[docj]

If the third party plan the OP is considering is an AT&T plan then the hotspot ought to work with it. However, as previously mentioned, if it had been bought on a discounted basis for a direct AT&T plan you will probably have to make sure that there aren't any termination fees that need to be paid.

As for unlocking a hotspot, I don't think they are covered by the same rules as phones. I'm not sure that all hotspots can be unlocked from the carrier that originally sold them.

[smiller]

Here is the AT&T policy. Basically they will unlock any device, subject to any service commitments having been met (or a minimum of 60 days of service if no other commitment.) Initiating and tracking the unlock request can be done via the web.

https://www.att.com/support/smallbus...ess/KM1258553/

I've unlocked hotspots with both AT&T and T-Mobile and the process was painless on both occasions. Even when unlocked you do of course need to be sure that the device is technically compatible with the new carrier, including proper band coverage.



Eligibility requirements

Requirements for unlocking AT&T phones, tablets, and mobile hotspots.
Your device isn’t reported lost or stolen, or involved with fraud.
You must complete your contract or installment plan (including early termination fees). Or, pay off an installment plan early and then make another unlock request in 24 hours.
Your device isn’t active on another AT&T account.
If you upgraded early, wait 14 days to unlock your old device. Business customers wait 30 days.
Your service must be active for at least 60 days with no past due or unpaid balance.
AT&T PREPAID℠ (formerly GoPhone®) devices must have at least 6 months of active service.
If you’re military, we’ll ask you to email your TCS or PCS (Temporary / permanent change of station) documents for eligibility. You won’t have to complete installment plans or contracts.
If you have a business-owned device, your company must authorize you to unlock it.

AT&T reserves the right to deny any unlock request that it concludes would result in an abuse of this policy or is part of an effort to defraud AT&T or its customers. AT&T further reserves the right to alter this unlocking policy at its discretion without advance notice. If during any one month, more than 100 requests are made from a single source, and if more than 10% of those requests are duplicate IMEI numbers, AT&T will no longer process unlock requests from that source.

[mike625]

Originally Posted by smiller

Here is the AT&T policy. Basically they will unlock any device, subject to any service commitments having been met (or a minimum of 60 days of service if no other commitment.) Initiating and tracking the unlock request can be done via the web.

https://www.att.com/support/smallbus...ess/KM1258553/

I've unlocked hotspots with both AT&T and T-Mobile and the process was painless on both occasions. Even when unlocked you do of course need to be sure that the device is technically compatible with the new carrier, including proper band coverage.
[/I]

Can confirm at the being of the year, I was able to unlock my ATT MR1100
I purchased at Best Buy. I was active on OTR mobile 'ATT' for over three mts before I went thru the ATT unlock web site and received the unlock code in less than 1/2 a day.