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Cellular Phones/Prepaid Cell Phone

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Expert: - 7/7/2010


Question
Can I use a prepaid phone card on a cell phone?  These cards are usually used on land lines,  but I was wondering if they would also work on a cell phone?  I only use a cell phone once in a while and found there are no prepaid plans that don't expire.

Answer
Unfortunately, if you use your prepaid card with a cell phone, you are basically being doublecharged. Cellphones don't work without a plan and the prepaid landline plans only work with an active phone, so you would need an active cell phone (i.e., where you are paying for minutes). If you used the numbers on the prepaid card, then you would be charged for those minutes as well as the cell minutes. As you already know, all of the prepaid minute cards expire, so prepaid cell is your only option. What I can tell you is that if you put $100.00 on a card, it doesn't expire for 12 months (with T-Mobile, AT&T and others). That might be your best bet.  

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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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