jake-b/calyx_hotspot.txt

## calyx_hotspot.txt
 To swap the device you need 3 things:

1.       A Sprint device with a "Clean ESN" - "Clean ESN" means that it wasn't lost/stolen and also that it is not currently locked to another account or contract.

2.       A compatible SIM card -  A new Sprint device should come with a SIM card already installed.  The SIM number is paired to the phone in Sprint's database.  Also, Sprint has different SIMs that are only compatible with specific devices.  You can't just swap the SIM from the original hotspot.  If you buy used, and it doesn't have a SIM card.  Sprint makes it difficult to find out which one you need.

3.       The phone number of the existing Calyx hotspot. - One way to get this is to create an account on MySprint.sprint.com using the MEID of the original hotspot.  This account will show you the phone number, but I don't think it will allow you to make any changes because you are not the billing contact/owner of the account.

With this information in hand, call Sprint Business Care at 800-927-2199 and talk to a repetitive.  There's a menu option for "Phone Swaps", but I've also had success with the "Technical Support" and "Support for Hotspots" options.

Explain that you want to swap service from one hotspot to another.  They'll need the phone number of the old hotspot.  Occasionally they want the "billing PIN" or "password".  Since you're not the owner of the account, say "I'm just the end user of this business account, I am not the billing contact and don't have that information".  They seem fine with this and they are able to do the swap without this information (I've done 3 swaps over the past week while trying and failing to get a working SIM.)

They'll walk you through resetting the phone and getting it through first time activation.  I also did a reset of the network settings on my hotspot since it was a used unit from eBay, which re-starts the first time setup.

I'm a fan of the ZTE MF975S, a dual-band (2.5/5Ghz) hotspot that also has USB tethering.  I got mine for $40 shipped on eBay and $8 for the right SIM card.

One last thing on the subject of SIM cards:  Sprint makes this difficult, as I said. One trick I found was to use the Ting website.  Ting is a Sprint re-seller, so it uses all Sprint hardware and SIMs, and I think can even search Sprint's database to check to see if the ESN is clean.

1.       To check the ESN of a device go here: https://ting.com/byod

2.       If it is a clean ESN, there is an option for if you need a SIM card.  You can pick this option and it will tell you which SIM you need. The site will give you a SIM type (B1-B5, or C1-C7)

3.       With the SIM type in hand, you can check this website: https://help.ting.com/hc/en-us/articles/205428218-Finding-Your-SIM-Card which will tell you the Sprint SKU for that SIM.

4.       With the Sprint SKU in hand, I found it easiest to buy a SIM on eBay.  It seems that Sprint won't sell/give you a SIM unless you have that Billing password/PIN we talked about earlier.

5.       When you call Sprint to do the swap, make sure to tell them that you have a new SIM card, otherwise I think they’ll assume it has the SIM that came with it from the factory.  They’ll need the MEID and the SIM card numbers to do the transfer.

Anyway, it’s a pain in the neck, yes, but really isn’t too difficult if you don’t buy a used device that was missing the SIM.  Most of that hassle was self-created by me.
	To swap the device you need 3 things:

	1. A Sprint device with a "Clean ESN" - "Clean ESN" means that it wasn't lost/stolen and also that it is not currently locked to another account or contract.

	2. A compatible SIM card - A new Sprint device should come with a SIM card already installed. The SIM number is paired to the phone in Sprint's database. Also, Sprint has different SIMs that are only compatible with specific devices. You can't just swap the SIM from the original hotspot. If you buy used, and it doesn't have a SIM card. Sprint makes it difficult to find out which one you need.

	3. The phone number of the existing Calyx hotspot. - One way to get this is to create an account on MySprint.sprint.com using the MEID of the original hotspot. This account will show you the phone number, but I don't think it will allow you to make any changes because you are not the billing contact/owner of the account.

	With this information in hand, call Sprint Business Care at 800-927-2199 and talk to a repetitive. There's a menu option for "Phone Swaps", but I've also had success with the "Technical Support" and "Support for Hotspots" options.

	Explain that you want to swap service from one hotspot to another. They'll need the phone number of the old hotspot. Occasionally they want the "billing PIN" or "password". Since you're not the owner of the account, say "I'm just the end user of this business account, I am not the billing contact and don't have that information". They seem fine with this and they are able to do the swap without this information (I've done 3 swaps over the past week while trying and failing to get a working SIM.)

	They'll walk you through resetting the phone and getting it through first time activation. I also did a reset of the network settings on my hotspot since it was a used unit from eBay, which re-starts the first time setup.

	I'm a fan of the ZTE MF975S, a dual-band (2.5/5Ghz) hotspot that also has USB tethering. I got mine for $40 shipped on eBay and $8 for the right SIM card.

	One last thing on the subject of SIM cards: Sprint makes this difficult, as I said. One trick I found was to use the Ting website. Ting is a Sprint re-seller, so it uses all Sprint hardware and SIMs, and I think can even search Sprint's database to check to see if the ESN is clean.

	1. To check the ESN of a device go here: https://ting.com/byod

	2. If it is a clean ESN, there is an option for if you need a SIM card. You can pick this option and it will tell you which SIM you need. The site will give you a SIM type (B1-B5, or C1-C7)

	3. With the SIM type in hand, you can check this website: https://help.ting.com/hc/en-us/articles/205428218-Finding-Your-SIM-Card which will tell you the Sprint SKU for that SIM.

	4. With the Sprint SKU in hand, I found it easiest to buy a SIM on eBay. It seems that Sprint won't sell/give you a SIM unless you have that Billing password/PIN we talked about earlier.

	5. When you call Sprint to do the swap, make sure to tell them that you have a new SIM card, otherwise I think they’ll assume it has the SIM that came with it from the factory. They’ll need the MEID and the SIM card numbers to do the transfer.

	Anyway, it’s a pain in the neck, yes, but really isn’t too difficult if you don’t buy a used device that was missing the SIM. Most of that hassle was self-created by me.