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Cellular Phones/Purchasing a used Motorola Razr V3m

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Expert: - 10/22/2010


Question
I have been looking to purchase a used Razr and use the Verizon network. So far I have determined that I need a CDMA phone. I am reading about CDMA unlocked phones...can these phones be used with any provider on the CDMA network?

Answer
I strongly recommend against you buying a second hand CDMA Razr to use on the Verizon network. If you are able to find a Verizon Razr, then that's okay, but please do not buy anything else. It's not worth it, believe me. You can't really unlock a CDMA phone. They can be flashed to another carrier, but not unlocked. If you find a Razr that is branded by Verizon, then great, but otherwise, don't bother. It's not worth it. And if it helps, there are much, much better phones out there today than a Razr. I would consider just getting a new phone from Verizon with the 12 month warranty that comes with all new phones. They have many phones for free with a 2 year agreement. Well worth it, in my opinion. All CDMA phones will only work with a CDMA provider if they are flashed to that provider and you can't do that. Someone with specific equipment has to do that and they have to have access to the image for the provider.

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DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.

Experience

Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

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