HTC One device is now available with major GSM mobile operators in US, (AT&T, T-Mobile, Cincinnati Bell) and the CDMA carrier Sprint. Also, the Verizon version of the HTC One was confirmed recently for being launched this summer.
AT&T is exclusively offering the 64GB HTC One model. For the 32GB HTC One package from AT&T and a two-year contract you have to pay $199.99 but you can also choose a one-year contract, which raises the price of the phone to $449.You also have the option to trade your old phone for at least $100 via the AT&T handset trade-in program.
T-Mobile sells the device with just $99 contract-free and 24 installments each of $20/month or $579.99 if you pay for the HTC One upfront.
Sprint has a limited offer for the device of only $99 on a two-year contract for new activations. If you want to buy the HTC One from Sprint, you’ll also get $100 or more off the handset’s price as a new customer. Sprint is also offering unlimited data plans whether you’re a new customer or an already existing one.
Verizon hasn’t listed the HTC One on its website yet, but it is expected that only the 32 GB version will be available with this carrier. The pricing is still a mystery but most probably it will match the market and Verizon’s version of HTC One will be listed at $199.99 on-contract like the Samsung Galaxy S4 16GB.
How to network unlock the HTC One device?
Each carrier has unique offers for the HTC One and also specific practices and policies for unlocking the device.
The only free way to unlock your HTC One handset is by calling the current carrier that branded your HTC One and ask for the unlock code. If you are eligible for getting the unlock code, the carrier would accept to network unlock your phone and will usually send you the code within 12-48 hours.
Here is the criteria you’ll have to meet with different carriers in order to have your HTC One unlocked by your current service provider:
AT&T currently unlocks a device for any customer whose account has been active for at least sixty days. Your account should be in a very good standing with no unpaid balance. Also your service agreement commitment must be fulfilled. If these conditions are met, AT&T will unlock up to five devices per account per year. The carrier does not unlock devices that have been declared lost or stolen. You need to call AT&T: 1-800-331-0500.
T-Mobile has a new SIM unlock policy starting a month ago and it applies to the HTC One as well: the device has to be completely paid for, you have to have a good standing account and a minimum of 40 consecutive days of active service with T-Mobile; You should not have requested for unlock code in the last 90 days; T-Mobile should have verified the usage of the IMEI applicable to the device and the device should not have been declared lost or stolen. You need to call T –Mobile: 1-800-866-2453.
For unlocking your HTC One from Sprint you need to call Sprint International at 1-888-226-7212 (Option 2) and request for the unlock procedure. You must have the phone activated on your account for at least 90 days; your account must be in good standing in order to qualify and might still require that you had a new 2-year agreement. You have to be IN CONTRACT with the HTC One or they won’t unlock the phone.
HTC One from Sprint is a device that runs on a CDMA network, but in the same time Sprint’s HTC One is a dual GSM/CDMA global phone that supports GSM/EDGE and HSPA networks. This means that once unlocked, you can use your HTC One handset bought from Sprint, with any other compatible US GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile and also with international GSM carriers when travelling.
The HTC One from Sprint can’t be unlocked by IMEI using an unlock code, like usual dual GSM/ CDMA handsets are unlocked, because the device doesn’t display the unlock screen when a different GSM SIM card is inserted. At this point only Sprit carrier will be able to unlock your Sprint HTC ONE.
If you do not meet the unlocking criteria required by your service provider, you can still unlock your HTC One by a third-party SIM unlock service online. Services like those of HTCimeiUnlock come in handy for unlocking your HTC One. In order to unlock your HTC One handset, these online services require some information like the IMEI number of your phone, the country and the operator that locked your HTC One. The company will then provide you via web or email, the unlock code which will remotely unlock your handset.
The price for unlocking an HTC One device varies depending on the network it is locked to. Unlock code is unique for each handset and the average price is typically around 12-20 USD depending upon the model and network.
