Unrelated cell phone question

[josh1031]

I've had TMobile for the past two years and am finally free of my contract (a good thing, because their reception is awful). My question - I love my Motorola v70 - if I switch to a different provider, is there any way I can continue to use my old phone? I'm hoping it might be as easy as sticking a new SIM card in it, but I have no idea.

[Messiah89]

Why don't you just ask the new provider if their service is compatible with your current phone?

Probably just needs the new SIM card like you said.

[I2n0ld]

did u get ure phone thru tmobile? if so when u changed provider n insert new sim card it wont recognize it. u need to know the code to unlock ure phone to use other providers sim card. seach for v70 unlock.

[elroy]

I believe the phones with a sim card can be used at other carriers. Try calling the local office of the company you're considering and ask them. Note that some plans require certain phones. I've been with Cingular for 5+ years and would not consider changing to anyone else. I've got a Verizon phone from my employer and it is JUNK along with their service. I have 8 co-workers with the same Verizon phones and service, none of them are happy either. While my brother has had Verizon for years and is very happy with them. I don't understand. Some of this will depend on your location in the country too. About 6 months ago I switched my personal phone to Cingular's "real" nationwide plan. [requires a GSM/TDMA phone] No roaming anywhere in the U.S. unlike some of the others that say nationwide but they mean only when on their system. With the pending merger of Cingular and AT&T I would certainly consider going with them. That is my 2 cents. [no charge]

[The Real Bingo]

I would just get a plan with some other provider that offers a free phone with it. I don't know how good your phone is, so if it is good, it's understandable you want to keep it, but I'd go for the freebie phone deal.

[Messiah89]

I have a Cingular plan with an LG 4010 phone.
Good combonation, good reception.

[excuzzzeme]

The carrier you select is only as good as the area you are in. Have had Nextel, Sprint, Cingular, ATT, Verizon, an one or two others. As all my work is done from the road, I have had a cell for many years long before it became a fad, and have found each carrier better than others in different markets. As a result, I switch carriers accordingly if I am going to be in that market area a long time. As far as switching phones ( or sims) some will, others won't. Good luck!

[paul9]

in the uk, providers generally network lock the phones they give out, as they are quite heavily subsidised. so they charge to unlock the phone so you can use it on a different network. i think the general charge is about 30 quid ($53.36 www.xe.com) or lots of people do unlocking services for £5 to £10 (mainly nokia handsets) simcards can be had for £2 to £20 new sometimes with £10 calling credit (pay as you go is HUGE in the uk)

[Mike]

You can buy a phone unlocker off of ebay and have them set you up on a server and unlock it.

You should certainly be able to unlock it for under 30 quid; in fact, I helped a friend unlock his phone for about $22 USD.

Check around and you should be able to find something.

[eminem_rh25]

i have a Motorola V70 phone (i bought it seperatly WITHOUT a plan). had it hooked up with TMobile for a couple of months... service sucked so i switched to Cingular (i like their rollover plans) and had no problem.