Replacing Lost Cellphone
 

I lost my Cingular Nokia 6620(unlocked, unpassworded), about 1 year into a two year package. Had service suspended. Now I need a new phone. I like the 6620, and I really like Bluetooth.

Cingular has no 6620's available. If I buy one on ebay, how do I get the SIM to see my old number?

Cingular will "give" me a Nokia 3120 for a two year re-up. Does that phone have a SIM that will swap into a 6620. Is there a way to get that phone with my old number and not turn in my old 6620 SIM, which I no longer have.

Cannot call the phone, as the place it was lost had a "turn off the phone" request.

Phone numbers aren't hard-wired into a SIM, so Cingular should be able to assign your old number to the new SIM. If you maintain/extend your old contract they should be willing to accomodate, I guess. You probably won't be able to port your old CIngular number to a new Cingular contract.

If you want to port your old number to a contract with another carrier you must do this before cancelling your Cingular contract. You'll also be hit with an Early Termination Fee from Cingular if you cancel within your contract term. Otrherwise there's nothing that prevents this.

Cingular will gladly sell you a new SIM card for a phone you purchase on ebay. If I recall they are around $20. You won't get all the numbers back that are stored in your lost phone unless you had them backed up to your computer. All that happens is in the Cingular office they just have to assign your cell number to the new SIM card. They shouldn't charge you for that service.

Definitely look on ebay for unlocked phones. I always find that in the States,
the selection of mobile phones seems very limited. On my trips to HKG, I am always amazed to see the huge selection of hand phones. Some never make it stateside.
Three weeks ago when I was in HKG, I bought an unlocked (which all phones are in HKG), Nokia 7270. It's stylish, user friendly menu, tri-band, etc.

http://www.nokia.com.hk/nokia/0,,63124,00.html

Got lucky. Cingular has a prmo for Xerox employees to switch from ATT to Cingular. Keep old phone, keep old number, match calling program, new 2 year agreement, new Nokia 6620 for $180.

This phone tends to cost over $200 on ebay.

I do not have my old phone, but if I did, would both old and new work on the same number, even with the old sim in the old phone? the Cingular agent could not, or would not answer, that question.

I would actually be very concerned about that and keeping the old number. Cingular agents are the some of the stupidest people on the planet, we have been hassling with them since March or April over some issues.

If that other phone still works, and if somebody finds it and rings up hundreds, or thousands of dollars worth of calls, Cingular will bill you for it. I say get that SIM deactivated and port the number to a new sim.

You will be thorugh many hassles with them once they screw up.

No, you won't be able to do this. You can't have multiple phones work on one number simultaneously. Scott can probably go into a more technical explanation than I can, but the short answer is you only get one SIM per phone number.

Now, if you wanted to take your SIM out of one phone and put it in the other, then no problem - you can have as many phones as you like. The catch is that only one can be "active" with your SIM in it at any given time.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Congrats on migrating to Cingular orange while keeping your old blue calling plan. I'm waiting for them to offer this to regular retail customers.

Old phone 'should' still work. I don't think the US bars IMEIs. But your old SIM should not. All you need is another sim and you are in business. Or you can swap phones using the same new SIM.

stay with blue
 

Stay with blue if you can, and have an older contract. Slight differant network and better CS agents and plans.

Call the NBO at 888-444-4410 I think, they will probably get you a phone, with SIM for less. As well, if your company has a plan with ATT/cingualr, the discount will be higher.

I picked up a new RAZR for #1 1K GF for 99$, nothing more than extending my awesom contract with BLUE. 39.99$ a month, NW and MTM, 1200 minues a month

I am telling you guys www.simoncells.com
EBay is a gamble I have bought two phones with no problems.

There is a good chance your old phone will show up on ebay! The seller should give you a discount.

If I read the posts correctly, we have some conflicting advice. Adressing only the sim:

1. Only the new sim will operate on 301 233 xxxx, once registered.

2. Both the old sim, and the new sim will operate on 301 233 xxxx.

I understand that I could transfer the new sim to another phone, and should be able to make calls.

Hi Slawecki,

To clarify: to the best of my knowledge, once registered, only the new SIM will be active on your phone number. Only one SIM can be registered to a number at one time.

Since you've suspended your account, you're protected against anyone finding your old phone and racking up a bill on your account. If someone does find the phone, it won't be able to place or receive calls.

Good luck!

Number 1 is correct.

Also, your new Cingular SIM will work (with your old telephone number) in any Cingular locked GSM phone (with 1900 MHz and the (optional) 850 MHz) or any unlocked GSM phone with the same frequencies. Yes, I've done it!

Great information, I called and they were very professional and helpful. I need to get a replacement phone for my daughter, we all are on a BLUE family plan I don't want to change. I did check on the RAZR, I couldn't get the deal you were offered, they would charge me $199 :( :( Anyway, these guys were superb! ^