cell phone experts

[golfinseb]

If you have a cell that is not locked to a provider can you have any service activated on said phone? Also if you have a cell from a provider that is locked does this mean it can only be reactivated with the previous provider?

Also what cell do you recomend for a regular user, with ease of use and features that may come in handy? Perhaps mp3 ability as well? I have a cheapy cell that I use that works for basic calling, and I have a work cell that has 10-4. I won't be looking to replace the work cell, it's really only for work, but I wouldn't mind a different personal cell.

[avidgolfer]

There are three major types of cell phones out on the market today. GSM (Rogers/Fido), CDMA (Bell and Telus) and iDEN (Telus Mike).

If you have an unlocked GSM phone, you will be able to activate it on any GSM network as long as you have a valid SIM card from the provider.

Bell/Telus will not allow phones not sold by them on their network even if the phone is unlocked. So a Bell phone can not be activated on Telus (or Rogers) and Telus phone can not be activated on Bell. You can not move carriers with a CDMA phone...

iDEN... I do not know how iDEN phones work.

Let us know which network you are... until then can't advise you on which phone you should choose.

[golfinseb]

interesting, I'm on Telus right now but there is nothing stopping me from changing networks.

[avidgolfer]

interesting, I'm on Telus right now but there is nothing stopping me from changing networks.

Sorry for not being clear. What I meant was that you won't be able to use your Telus phone on Bell or Verizon or any other CDMA carrier even if your phone was unlocked. Hope that clears things up.

[golfinseb]

cool, I had followed that part. What I'm saying is I'm currently with Telus, but my contract is almost up. so when it comes time to switch I can switch to anyone I choose. Telus offers me nothing special. In fact from what I've seen all cell providers are the same, they do nothing for the customer, other than take thier money.

[avidgolfer]

cool, I had followed that part. What I'm saying is I'm currently with Telus, but my contract is almost up. so when it comes time to switch I can switch to anyone I choose. Telus offers me nothing special. In fact from what I've seen all cell providers are the same, they do nothing for the customer, other than take thier money.

Sorry my bad for not getting that you got it. :D

If you don't mind losing your current number, I would go GSM with Rogers or Fido. I have gotten used to Sony Ericsson phones. If you go Rogers, I would check out the W810 (candy bar style) or W300 (flip). The W810 has more features and better camera which you may or may not need.

[golfinseb]

I'll look into it. I much prefer candybar style phones personally.

[swaaain]

Scott, (RACMBS) Just moved and shoul dhave his interent up and running tomorrow. He is the man to aswer any of your cell phone questions. Considering he has had one of every phone this year has launched already. He is worse with his cell phones than he is with his clubs.

[golfinseb]

really? cell phone ho :rofl: