Sprint does not let you use a deactivated phone with Vision services. Or, do they?
And for the naysayers out there, no this is not breaking DMCA laws, as it is not trying to specifically circumvent a protection system, as Vision is still billed properly because it is separate from the phone number.
If you have a line-locked phone (either from ESN freeze or account balance not paid), your phone is supposed to be deactivated. But it isn’t. It instead is in a de-authorized state where you cannot place any phone calls. At the same time, your Vision NAI (login) is frozen on your account. When you try to access Vision, you are presented with a page that basically says “pay your bill”. The interesting thing is that this page is being sent from Sprint to your phone, it does let you login, but you can only access that one page.
Armed with the MSL of the line locked phone, this changes though. Bear in mind, the phone is still activated for data services in the ESN field, it’s just the login is frozen to that “pay your bill” page. However, when you change the login (through ##3282) to another account’s NAI, you are able to access full Vision services.
So what good does this do? Well, if you have a T608, and aren’t happy with the Vision services on it, you can buy a line locked phone that has better Vision functionality (say, a VM4050 or VM4500), and use that phone for downloads and WAP browsing. Or, buy a line locked T608, and use it as a wireless modem, while keeping your current phone for primary use.
