What does "flashed" mean for an eBay mifi device?

[Ramblin__Ralph]

I've used a Verizon 3G USB modem for years. Trying to reduce my monthly cost. Looking on eBay I see Mifi units that say they are "flashed". I know what flash memory is, but what does this refer to? Also, is this something that is "borderline" as far as legality?

Thanks,

[wa8yxm]

YOu said you know what "Flashed" memory means.. Well "Flashed" means the same thing... But there is more.. called NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION.

It may be that a newer version of the devices internal operating system has been installed so that you get superior service than you would with the un-flashed one

or it may mean that it has been jail-broke, that is a device that originally only worked with ONE provider, now works with several

Or it may be that every keystroke you make will be sent to a server somewhere so the hackers can have fun

Or it may be that software has been installed to give hackers a hard time

or it may mean.... Well by now you should get the idea it can mean most anything

But it means the O/S is different than what was in the thing new.

[JiminDenver]

Bucky Badger wrote:
Do the Verizon flashed units only use Verizon towers only or do they use partner towers also

no roaming.

[JiminDenver]

We have a 4510 and we got the mil a 4620. Hers is used for streaming music, ours shares the load with other devices. It is the one that is always on in case the computers want to update.

We got ours through Mobile-solutions on ebay. I did get a bad Photon but they exchanged it for the 4620. You can also get your old hotspot flashed for less.

[Bucky_Badger]

Do the Verizon flashed units only use Verizon towers only or do they use partner towers also

[DancinCampers]

I'm using one, a Verizon 4620L, I bought off of Ebay. Unlimited 3G for $5 month. So far so good. We are in New Orleans for about 6 months, so I have suspended my monthly Verizon 4G 4620L.

I believe when they say flashed, they are flashing the sim so it will operate only on the older 3G system. Not sure how they are getting the phone numbers for unlimited, but the unit has a phone number.

I activated mine on 6 Mar, so far about 60G.

[1492]

Not enough info to determine the context of what "flashed" meant in this case? Need to see the full text of the listing?

[rwbradley]

Flashed is usually a term for firmware/software upgrade ie "I downloaded the new software for my router and flashed it".
In the context of legit devices, they often have new firmware available to them, but in the case of my MIFI, you could not download the firmware from a website, you had to activate it with the original carrier it was bought thru and it would download over the air and flash the first time it is used.
If these MIFI devices are being marketed as "unlocked" as well, knowing it has been flashed would be an important selling point for someone who has no intention of ever putting a Verizon SIM in a Verizon branded MIFI.

[JiminDenver]

I don't have a answer to the legality, I have tried searching it. i can say I have one of the ones off of ebay and it work very well. We went up the hill yesterday and I tested all of the devices. Cricket, T-mobile and sprint struggled a lot but the flashed hotspot had a signal the whole time.

Speed wise with a decent signal I can stream you tube and crackle.