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Expert: - 9/27/2010


Question
Hi! I have a yearly plan (about $105) and older cellphone with Tracfone. I am pleased with their service. I need to know what is the best basic  (no camera, gps ect.) and smallest cellphone to buy and should I just buy a Trackfone card and phone (Walmart) and if that is the best way to go could my minutes be transferred to the new phone? If I buy a cellphone( not from Trackfone) will Trackfone allow me to transfer all my minutes to that phone? I have trouble contacting Trackphone. This is for emergency use only and I have accumulated 5000 minutes. Your help and advice will be appreciated. Thanks Bill  

Answer
I'm not aware of any basic phone that doesn't have a camera. A good percentage of phones don't have GPS, however. Tracfone will allow you to move to another Tracfone and keep your number and transfer your minutes. That's no problem at all. You don't have to contact them via phone, you can do this when you get the new phone. There are instructions to do this when you get the new phone. Remember that you don't need a phone card, just a new phone. Go to Walmart and have them help you figure out the best phone to buy. I'm not familiar with the models (you can imagine how many are out there for all the carriers), but just pick the least expensive one. Remember that after a year, your minutes will expire. Hope this helps.

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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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