Cell Phone Swap Questions

[mscher]

This has been discussed in the past, but I could not find it by searching.

My son's Motorola v557 has been dropped (x) number of times, the battery cover is missing, it may have even gone through the wash ;(

Anyway, it is dying, so I'm thinking of just buying a cheap or used one on eBay, and putting the old SIM card.

I noticed that some auctions list the Cell carriers for a particular phone. Does it really matter, provided I have the Centennial SIM card? Will this SIM card fit and work in other models?

Thanks

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

Many phones (especially here in the US) don't use sim cards at all. So yeah it does matter. In addition, some phones that do use sim cards, don't transmit on the right frequencies.

In some cases it won't matter, but by and large, you need to stick to the phones that are made for your carrier.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

Most carriers will give you phone free every year or two. You might want to check to see if you're eligible now.

 

[jimr]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

if it is a tmobile or att phone just goto wally world and get a go phone put you sim card in it and use it.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

The phone I'm using right now is labeled Cingular but my service is Cellular One. I bought this phone on ebay after a trip down a water slide at Seaworld ended the other one. My wife washed hers in tha laundry so I had to replace it too. We have the same service and her phone is labeled AT&T. If you don't know what frequencies your phone operates off of try to look the same model up on ebay/google or whatever. Only buy one that has the same frequencies and all should be good.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

Most carriers will give you phone free every year or two. You might want to check to see if you're eligible now.

The ones that are free are usually crap... plus, you have to sign their 2-year contract and probably migrate to the new rate plans (which are more expensive for the same minutes/options).

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

Typically, you match the carrier to the phone because different carriers use different basestation equipment and diffferent technolgies.

If your phone is the type that uses a sim card, you will need to buy a GSM phone.

Be aware that when buying a used phone and getting it activated again for the same carrier will be difficult if the previous owner of the phone has an unpaid balance on the phone. Always get the serial number of the phone and check with your carrier first to see if the phone can be activated.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

If your phone is the type that uses a sim card, you will need to buy a GSM phone.

Also make sure its 800/1900 mhz (us) as opposed to 900/1800 mhz (intl.)

Be aware that when buying a used phone and getting it activated again for the same carrier will be difficult if the previous owner of the phone has an unpaid balance on the phone. Always get the serial number of the phone and check with your carrier first to see if the phone can be activated.

This shouldn't be a concern with a GSM phone, as they use an IMEI number that is stored on the sim card instead of an ESN number that is stored in the phone itself.

SgtMaj

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Cell Phone Swap Questions

Just looking on ebay there are 69 of his exact phone on there. Some are restricted so be sure to get one thats not locked. Most are less than $50 with shipping.