Ok, I can make a computer sneeze on command, but cell phones are not my cup of tea. I just want my little phone to:
A) Turn on
B) Be able to call people
C) Be able to mute
D) Get signal wherever I go
That's it, nothing more, nothing less.
So, I've got Nextel and a i2000Plus, which based on Scott's cell phone archives should have been retired long ago. So - I'm sitting on the plane tonight and flipping through the inflight magazine and see this Samsung phone with a pocketPC type msft twist to it. Neat I think, looks cool, still looks like a phone.
So - my question is, if I want to switch phones (not carriers), can I simply take my SIM card out of my nextel, plop it into this phone and be off and running, or do I have to choose one of Nextel's phones from thier website. Not wanting to get into the particulars of various actuall cell phones themselves, just the basic concept of switching physical phones while maintaining same phone number/carrier/etc...
Or have I got it all confused?
USAFAN
Dec 13, 03, 2:01 pm
I am a cell phone dummy. That's what I recommend/think:
I. Calling ScottC, other Gurus ...
II. It is my understanding, that you can put your SIM card in the new phone, however, the new phone has to be "unlocked". Search for "unlock" in this forum... But may be I got it all wrong..
bp888
Dec 13, 03, 2:15 pm
You can move your SIM card to any phone that is unlocked, i.e. not one of those heavily discounted phones peddled by the major wireless telephone companies. Having said that, these so-called locked phone can be unlocked by third parties for a nominal fee (~$20). However, in order to secure one of these free phones, the wireless telcos require you to sign a contract (usually 1 year).
If the reason you wanted to keep your SIM card is because you wanted to retain your telephone number, here's where number portability comes in handy. What this new FCC rule mandates is that you can take your telephone number with you when you switch service provider. Number portability will be widely available mid-next year, but available now in some metropolitan areas. So while you may not be able to use your existing SIM card, you can move to a new telco, get a nice free phone and retain your telephone number. Hope this helps.
SNA1K
Dec 14, 03, 3:48 pm
It is as easy to move a SIM from handset to handset if your phone is GSM, however, the i2000 is only partly GSM. To explain further, Nextel uses a system called IDEN in the US and uses GSM when you are using the phone internationally. Therefore, if you pick up a GSM phone (which the Samsung probably is) and put your SIM in it it will not work in the US. As noted above, with number portability, the best thing to do is look at your calling patterns and determine who the best carrier for you is and then move to that carrier. When you move you will get a good deal on a new phone from them. If you require international use (like your i2000) take a look at T-Mobile and get a Tri-Band phone. That way it will be as simply as your 1,2,3,4 requirements above.
alanw
Dec 15, 03, 6:30 am
The Samsung is CDMA (aka Sprint). You don't want it. Unfortunately if you don't want to change carriers you don't have a lot of choices. I would recommend you change carriers. Really. If you want a signal everywhere you go especially. In SEA T-Mobile has great coverage. The only place they are lacking is in CA, though that is improving.
If you like the Microsoft-powered idea, there are GSM handsets available that will work on T-Mobile. They are selling the HTC PocketPC phone for $399 (it's similar to the Samsung). There is also available the HTC e100 and e200, which run a more phone-centric version of Windows. Finally, Motorola now makes a Windows-powered smartphone, the MXP200. These last models you can find unlocked at http://www.4cellular.com - though they will be much cheaper elsewhere if you do a search.
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-alan in sitges, home of the new, improved Si-Re-Do (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/003867.html)
ScottC
Dec 15, 03, 6:40 am
If you like Nextel, stick with them, the Nextel Microsoft Smartphone is on it's way!
It's not a full pocketpc but does have a browser, outlook etc...
ScottC
Dec 15, 03, 6:40 am
Oh, and FWIW, it's expected in Jan/Feb 2004, not Q4 2004.
mymiles2go
Dec 15, 03, 4:31 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
If you like Nextel, stick with them, the Nextel Microsoft Smartphone is on it's way!
It's not a full pocketpc but does have a browser, outlook etc... </font>
Cool, I think I'll just wait for that. I couldn't easily tell from the spec's will it be a US only phone, or will it work GSM as well intl?
mymiles2go
Dec 16, 03, 12:56 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
If you like Nextel, stick with them, the Nextel Microsoft Smartphone is on it's way!
It's not a full pocketpc but does have a browser, outlook etc... </font>
The more I look at these specs - it's perfect. It's got GSM for international, got US support as well. They've even tossed in a nifty camera (which is kinda scary, but whatever). Plus it's phone sized and not PDA sized. My co-worker just showed me his Samsung he got (the one I was referring to earlier), very cool. Although, he wasn't clear on the pricing and it sounded iffy to use some of the features.
I was going to cut my bill in half (and at the same time double my minutes/features), but maybe it's worhtwhile waiting till then in the event they do a typical agreement of sorts. I'm paying rates of 2-3 year ago, so they are quite inflated given the current market, I never got around to changing them. Either way, this phone has got me excited now - hope it comes out soon.
cordelli
Dec 16, 03, 8:22 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mymiles2go:
The more I look at these specs - it's perfect. It's got GSM for international, got US support as well.
</font>
There are different flavors of GSM, so make sure it covers the countries you plan to use it in. Just because it's GSM doesn't mean it will work everywhere.
ScottC
Dec 16, 03, 8:54 am
There is a "secret" iDen powerpoint presentation of all the new Nextel phones here:
http://www.idencustom.com/The%20truth.ppt
On one page they expect the Smartphone on Nov.1 2003, and on another it's Q4 2004. People have seen them out there so I say it'll be in stores in a month or so...
mymiles2go
Jan 22, 04, 1:02 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Oh, and FWIW, it's expected in Jan/Feb 2004, not Q4 2004.</font>
Have you by chance heard anything new regarding date/timeframes?