It's not been mentioned here, but this type of thing is a common occurrence and discussed often on other carrier-focused forums. While it's always a good idea to call and verify this first, usually once they've mailed out the letter or otherwise sent the notification to you, you're pretty much free to port out without an ETF and are released from contract. The date given is a drop-dead, we're-shutting-you-off date, and past that point you do risk losing the number and being unable to port it.
The same thing also happens on occasion on AT&T, though it hasn't been as often lately. AT&T is slightly different though: you're given the option of being released from contract, or continuing on but having your ability to roam restricted. Why anyone would choose the second option is anyone's guess, but it is there.
Absolutely true. Hacking the carrier bundle isn't the only way to roam excessively. That said, I'm not sure if Sprint still has a banner notification to inform people when they're roaming... I'm guessing not, at least on the iPhone, but I could be wrong on this.
If not, then don't they sort of bear some responsibility for not informing users that they're roaming? Not everyone checks a coverage map every time they drive into the sticks.
I'm also wondering about the MSL code they gave the OP. Technically, giving the Master Subsidy Lock to a user should enable them to "unlock" the CDMA side of the device, if not the US GSM portion as well. BUT, I've never seen a procedure for entering an MSL into an iPhone to make the unlock possible.
o well..
