How to Unlock Your BlackBerry Tour for US, Int'l GSM

CIO - Research In Motion's (RIM) latest addition to its smartphone line, the BlackBerry Tour 9630, is a "world phone," meaning that it's built to operate on both CDMA networks--like Verizon and Sprint's--as well as networks that use GSM technology, like AT&T and T-Mobile USA's networks. However, both Verizon Wireless and Sprint, the two exclusive Tour carriers in the United States, "lock" their branded Tours so you can't use them on rival networks.

Luckily, there are two simple ways to "unlock" both Sprint and Verizon BlackBerry Tours so they can be used on both AT&T and T-Mobile GSM, as well as any other compatible networks across the globe.

The Tour's a dual-band, 3G CDMA device (800/1900 MHz, EVDO Rev A), and it supports both quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz) and single-band, 3G UMTS/HSPA (2100MHz).

Unfortunately, you're out of luck if you want to use your unlocked Tour on GSM 3G in the United States; neither T-Mobile nor AT&T employ the 2100Mhz frequency for U.S. 3G, even though T-Mobile licenses some of the spectrum and could potentially use it. So your Tour will be stuck on 2.5G EDGE if you decide to unlock and go the GSM-route--at least in the States.

Note: Any locked BlackBerry can be unlocked, but the process can be very different, depending on your device, carrier, etc. The following instructions are specifically for RIM's BlackBerry Tour 9630. I used the first method described below to unlock my Verizon 9630.

Unlock BlackBerry Tour 9630 via Third Party

One simple and reliable way to unlock your BlackBerry Tour is through a third-party "unlocker" like CellUnlock.Net, HorizonWireless.com or Cellfservices.com. Such services typically require only a payment and your unique 15-digit IMEI number--a BlackBerry device identifier specific to your device--which you can send via e-mail. Shortly thereafter, you'll receive a BlackBerry "unlock code" in return, typically an eight-digit number. (Note: It can sometimes take a couple of days for an unlock code to arrive. Be patient.)

Generally, the newer the device you're trying to unlock, the more expensive the unlock code. Since the Tour is still brand new--it was released by both Verizon and Sprint on July 12--it's usually a bit more expensive to unlock than, say, Verizon's BlackBerry 8830 World Edition device. Currently, Cellunlock.net's charging $34.99 for a Tour unlock code while CellfServices.com is running a Tour unlock special for $21.99.

You may also want to enter CrackBerry.com's free Tour unlock code contest, though you better act fast. It ends this weekend.

To locate your IMEI number, check the side of the box your BlackBerry came in. The IMEI will be listed amid a number of bar codes and other product information. If you don't have your BlackBerry box, or would rather not have to dig it up, simply access your BlackBerry Help Me! screen, which lists the IMEI, using the following keyboard shortcut: ALT + Left Shift + H.