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Cellular Phones/IMEI number detection
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Question
Hi Debin,
Can you tell me that if i want to use a phone different than what i have on my original plan ( i am with AT&T and have a smart phone but i want to use a better one that), can i just use a new/different phone without needing to tell the phone company and without having them find out that i am using some other phone.
Also, when someone uses a phone on a network, can the phone company find out the IEMI number of the phone?
Thanks a lot!
Nancy
Yes, you can take your SIM card out of your device and put it into another AT&T phone and use it without contacting AT&T and it will work without issue. Typically, the carriers cannot view the IMEI of a phone on their network. However, if you have a BlackBerry, they know it because you are using the BlackBerry server and if you have an iPhone, they know it because you are using the iPhone servers. It's not an issue at all to change devices and the GSM carriers don't care if you do. Just remember that if you have a BlackBery and change to a SmartPhone, you will be charged for your data because the data plan needs to match the device. So if you have a SmartPhone data plan today, you can switch to any other SmartPhone and you will be fine. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN
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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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