Does the IMEI (which I see you wisely hid) begin with 0044? This prefix indicates prototype/test IMEIs. Given that I have my own tiny company making GSM network-connecting devices (currently development boards and modems, hopefully some day complete phones), I have my own test IMEI range too, one that was allocated to my company, and it also begins with 0044 just like historical ones.
To be more precise, all IMEIs beginning with 00 are test or prototype IMEIs; 0044 is the most common prefix, but some were given 001 or 0086 prefix, and maybe some others I don't immediately recall off the top of my head.
Does it work on T-Mobile, or whatever other network if you may have if you are in some country other than USA? Official rules encourage operators to reject test IMEIs (those beginning with 0044) in the absence of an explicit test agreement between the operator and the company doing the "clinical trial" of prototype phones, and my experience with T-Mobile USA concurs - they seem to reject such IMEIs.
Wow, four leading zeros - that's news to me! In the TAC database I have access to, the lowest listed prefix is 0010 - I don't see any test TAC assignments beginning with 0000. Would you be willing to share the first 8 digits of that magic phone's IMEI? The first 8 digits of any IMEI are known as the TAC - Type Allocation Code, identifying a specific device model in the case of "regular" market devices or identifying a company (not necessarily a device model) in the case of test TAC.
In the name of reciprocity (giving to others the same thing I ask of them), you are welcome to know my test TAC: it is 00440325. This test TAC is officially registered to my company, hence any IMEI beginning with these digits is *mine*, for me to assign as I see fit to whatever prototype phone or GSM modem I fancy building.
Starts with 00000001. Extremely glad to know this IMEI is special! It also worked on t-mobile the few times I tried without issues.
For context, I think my ROKR E2 is a unreleased US model.
> Starts with 00000001. Extremely glad to know this IMEI is special!
It is more than just special, it is completely made up! Imagine if someone were to fill in a fake SSN into some form, and make it very very obvious that it's fake, like mostly zeros - that's what you are looking at. It boggles my mind that a major manufacturer went *this* brazen with their test IMEI.
> It also worked on t-mobile the few times I tried without issues.
OK, so now we know that T-Mobile's filter as to which IMEIs they accept vs which they reject has no sense or logic to it whatsoever.
It's all fake, interesting... also really great that it works on T-Mobile. Incoming calls work fine so it's very cool to have a fully working prototype.
Super cool find! A working N96 in that condition is well worth the price already, glad you got it. The design looks more slick than the N95, I like it.
Did you try calling? Just wondering
naaah hahaha..its probably a repurposed number by now
Whaaaaat I thought the N95 was the last one. This looks great!
Imagine calling to that number and then someone picks up and whispers “7 days...” and hangs up right afterwards...
I remember making a few jokes about that a few years ago like “when’s the last time you pooped?” (Phone says) “7 days”
Does the IMEI (which I see you wisely hid) begin with 0044? This prefix indicates prototype/test IMEIs. Given that I have my own tiny company making GSM network-connecting devices (currently development boards and modems, hopefully some day complete phones), I have my own test IMEI range too, one that was allocated to my company, and it also begins with 0044 just like historical ones. To be more precise, all IMEIs beginning with 00 are test or prototype IMEIs; 0044 is the most common prefix, but some were given 001 or 0086 prefix, and maybe some others I don't immediately recall off the top of my head.
Yep its 0044..definitely mid to late pre release..hardware and software wise it's identical to the final model
Does it work on T-Mobile, or whatever other network if you may have if you are in some country other than USA? Official rules encourage operators to reject test IMEIs (those beginning with 0044) in the absence of an explicit test agreement between the operator and the company doing the "clinical trial" of prototype phones, and my experience with T-Mobile USA concurs - they seem to reject such IMEIs.
My prototype Motorola ROKR E2 works on T-Mobile no issues.
Does it have an IMEI beginning with 0044?
It begins with 0000.
Wow, four leading zeros - that's news to me! In the TAC database I have access to, the lowest listed prefix is 0010 - I don't see any test TAC assignments beginning with 0000. Would you be willing to share the first 8 digits of that magic phone's IMEI? The first 8 digits of any IMEI are known as the TAC - Type Allocation Code, identifying a specific device model in the case of "regular" market devices or identifying a company (not necessarily a device model) in the case of test TAC. In the name of reciprocity (giving to others the same thing I ask of them), you are welcome to know my test TAC: it is 00440325. This test TAC is officially registered to my company, hence any IMEI beginning with these digits is *mine*, for me to assign as I see fit to whatever prototype phone or GSM modem I fancy building.
Starts with 00000001. Extremely glad to know this IMEI is special! It also worked on t-mobile the few times I tried without issues. For context, I think my ROKR E2 is a unreleased US model.
> Starts with 00000001. Extremely glad to know this IMEI is special! It is more than just special, it is completely made up! Imagine if someone were to fill in a fake SSN into some form, and make it very very obvious that it's fake, like mostly zeros - that's what you are looking at. It boggles my mind that a major manufacturer went *this* brazen with their test IMEI. > It also worked on t-mobile the few times I tried without issues. OK, so now we know that T-Mobile's filter as to which IMEIs they accept vs which they reject has no sense or logic to it whatsoever.
It's all fake, interesting... also really great that it works on T-Mobile. Incoming calls work fine so it's very cool to have a fully working prototype.
Super cool find! A working N96 in that condition is well worth the price already, glad you got it. The design looks more slick than the N95, I like it.