Use abroad (unlock?)

[3coup3]

In Asia right now and brought the TB for WiFi (I've been keeping airplane mode on). I rooted using the instructions here and wonder if I can put in a local SIM card. Does root = traditional unlock? I read that LTE is backward compatible with GSM so it would seem that if I to the card I and turn the CDMA radio off I'd be in business. Am I right or wrong on this? I shudder to think about accidental international data roaming charges...

 

[crescent]

I have not heard that LTE is backwards compatible. If this is true i am very curious about it! The method you are describing i dont think would work however as it would require the software to tell the lte chip to recognise gsm and as verizon has no gsm towers that code would likely not exist. Perhaps in future models? Im not an expert only hyopthesising

 

[NotJustAPhone]

The ThunderBolt doesn't have a radio that works with GSM networks. You can use WiFi where available for data and possibly Skype, but you won't be able to use a GSM cell network for calls.

If you're in one of the places outside the US that have CDMA service, you may be able to use the phone but it's expensive and may require calling Verizon to turn on international roaming.

And rooting is not the same as SIM unlocking.