If I switch from Cingular to Verizon, can I keep my actual phone?

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

I really like the model phone I have, but want to switch phone companies. Verizon doesn't have the same phone... does anybody know if it's possible to keep my Cingular phone and put Verizon service on it???

My contract's almost up, so that won't be an issue.

[Mr. Blonde]

1. You can often get unlocked phones that can be used

on any service provider. Don't know if Cingular is going to be willing to unlock a phone for you to use with someone else though.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

2. *grumble*

I really like my phone! But Cingular doesn't get good service at my house and Verizon does.

:( they have to make everything so complicated

[arcos]

4. Maybe they offer the same phone... what brand and model is it? nt

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

11. Sony Ericsson t226

[hangemhigh]

3. From a former cell rep

What kind of handset is it? Not the carrier (Cinglular) but the manufacturer? You may be able to keep the handset and have Verizon re-flash the software to make it compatible with their system. Some handsets have a locking feature that prevents this, most don't. At the same time, the new carrier will offer you a heavily subsidized new handset for next to nothing with a new contract....hope this helps....

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

8. Sony Ericsson

nt

[bettyellen]

5. verizon has a good special at radio shack .....nice free flip phone

w/ 2 year contract + $20 off if you do it on the web...
you can call them they have really good customer service.

[bettyellen]

6. The IPoint Site is good to find the best deals from all

wireless providers. seems like the flip phone deal is $ 25 now. but they have a rundown of what's out there if you need to get another phone.


http://www.point.com/carriers/verizonwireless.php

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

10. Not a fan of flip phones

This is what I have now

[Maven]

7. I doubt it.

For one thing, the new providers use totally different networks. Verizon uses CDMA and Cingular is (I believe) entirely on GSM now.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

9. Mine is GSM yeah

I don't know, I might just stick with Cingular if the reception in Boston is decent... I'll be there next year anyway

[Maven]

20. Probably will improve

after the merger. I have (had, I guess) AT&T Wireless, so I'm in the same boat. I'm in NY, and the reception has def. improved for me in the last couple of months. Used to cut out or get no signal at all in my apt., now no problem.

[Zomby Woof]

12. Consider T-Mobile

Don't know if the phone model is compatible, but Verizon...ehhhh.

Good luck no matter what you decide. :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. I doubt it

I have had service with most of them and never got to keep my old phone. When they started letting you keep your phone number, I complained that changing numbers is not nearly as inconvenient as having to buy a new phone.

As for not getting good service in your house, we have the same problem. I have Sprint and I complained about this and they fixed it! They said they had to put a booster on the nearest cell tower. We are in a dead zone and now Sprint is the only carrier that gets reception in our neighborhood. They also recommended I buy an antenna booster at Walgreens for $10. It is a little card that goes behind the battery. That has helped tremendously.

As far as the free phones you get for signing up, we have never had good luck with those and always end up buying a better phone with a stronger antenna. If we lived in a house where cell phones worked well, we would probably be happy with the free phones. But they seem to have pretty weak signals.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

15. We have too

My first cell plan and 2nd I have always opted to get the phone you have to pay a bit extra for, because otherwise I'd get NO signal at all...

I'll most likely be going to school in Boston next year and heard Cingular doesn't work that well there, so I want to try and find a provider that will have better reception. :(

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Sprint claims

they have the most extensive coverage area of all the carriers. And you hear a lot of people bashing them, but I have never had anything but great dealings with them. They were the first carrier who actually listened and then tried to solve our house reception problem.

[MidwestMomma]

14. When my daughter's phone broke, we just took the computer card out and

put it in an old phone my sister had. I thought all the cards were interchangeable. Maybe you can get the 'free' phone from Verizon (they almost always offer a free phone with new service) and then switch the card.

Or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about...would not be the first time. :)

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

16. That's not a bad idea...

hmm.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. You can also buy

cell phones on ebay. When my son broke his, I found him a great phone for $20 on ebay. He used it for nearly a year.

[jus_the_facts]

19. I honestly have no earthly idea.....

....I don't even have a cell phone...behind the times yet again! :D

:hi: