Expert: DebiN - 9/4/2009

Question
Sir:
Sirs:
I have a question about the "unlocked" cell phones I see offered at Tiger Direct, and retailers.  The dollar stores around here all sell AT&T, T-Mobile, Tracphone, and Verizon cards which are supposed to be good for various amounts of service minutes.  If I buy one of these unlocked cellphones, can I use one of these cards to get service?  Or are these unlocked phones intended to be taken to a service provider and programmed under a CONTRACT?

I only get on a phone in emergencies.  I don't want a contract and a monthly bill.   I don't want a Tracfone either.  Their minutes expire if you don't add more.  I'd rather buy a card good for so many minutes, and then when I have used it up, buy another.  I might go three years and not spend more than 60 minutes on the phone.  But a phone is very helpful for emergencies on the road.

Answer
I'm not aware of any phone card that you can buy where the minutes don't expire after a certain period of time. Not from AT&T, T-Mobile, Tracfone or Verizon. Those unlocked phones will work with AT&T,T-MObile and Tracfone SIM cards, but not with Verizon. You have to have a Verizon phone for the Verizon service to work and that has to be programmed by Verizon. The phone has to be a Verizon prepaid phone. If you want to buy a quad band GSM unlocked phone and use it with one of the cards from T-Mobile, Tracfone or AT&T, you can. You just have to activate the card and it should work, but do remember that the minutes will expire. Only post-paid minutes don't expire, but basically, you get a certain number of minutes a month, but with AT&T, they do rollover, so in essence, they expire after 12 months. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN