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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,444
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,444 |
Since I got a new phone and new plan with AT&T, I have an old Nokia 5165 phone that is just collecting dust. I want to be able to buy those pre-paid cell phone cards at wal-mart and other places. I will be giving this to my dad since he doesn't have a cell phone, just in case of emergencies and if someone needs to find him. Can I just buy the cards or do I have to go through some special process?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
The phone must support it, and it must be activated for it. If you can't do it with that phone, there are new/refurbed prepaid phones out there for $30-$50 with some minutes to be had.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,100
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,100 |
Remember with prepaid phones in order to keep them activated you have to add minutes every 30-90 days otherwise the minutes that you have on it will expire and you will have to add more the next time you want to call somebody and nobody will be able to call you until you add the minutes.
Beaten - 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege 29K <- broken hearted
Daily/Weekend Beater - 1990 miata 138K - AutoX every weekend = Adult driven on weekends
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,444
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2002
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I know it supports it because i found an option in the menu to enter a pre-paid security code.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,115
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,115 |
Originally posted by moxnix:
Remember with prepaid phones in order to keep them activated you have to add minutes every 30-90 days otherwise the minutes that you have on it will expire and you will have to add more the next time you want to call somebody and nobody will be able to call you until you add the minutes.
You can buy prepaid card with 100 minutes that are good for one year. You may need to go to Nokia's website(or whoever manufactured it) to see if it can be activated with prepay minutes and which prepay company minutes will it support.
"Eagles may soar high, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,118
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,118 |
Originally posted by Batmobile:
Since I got a new phone and new plan with AT&T, I have an old Nokia 5165 phone that is just collecting dust. I want to be able to buy those pre-paid cell phone cards at wal-mart and other places. I will be giving this to my dad since he doesn't have a cell phone, just in case of emergencies and if someone needs to find him. Can I just buy the cards or do I have to go through some special process?
I'm just curious why you would want to spend $.30 - $.40 a minute with pre-paid when you have a plan?? -Nick
"Moore has also accused the American people of being the stupidest, most naive people on the face of the Earth. And after last weekend, he's got the box office numbers to prove it!"
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,444
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,444 |
it's for my dad, he doesn't have a cell phone and sometimes we just need to get a hold of him and just in case of emergencies.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 149
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 149 |
Call at&t we have prepaid cell for our teenage sons. The At&t plan is called free to go. You have to get cards every 45 days to keep the phone active, but you don't lose your number like other plans and the cards come as cheap as $10.
The $100 for a year that was mentioned is trac-phone, for this you would have to purchase a new phone as their technology is imbedded in the hardware of the phone, you can also lose your number if you forget to get a new card before your expiration date. Hope this helps!
95 Teal Se 5 spd,duratech, loaded(except moonroof) no mods.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2 |
A CDMA/TDMA wireless handset has a unique electronic serial number, and those ESNs are typically siezed by the respective cellular companies. Basically it is very difficult to move a CDMA/TDMA phone between carriers.
All nokias of that model have an option for prepaid security, it's part of the firmware, but unless the service can be activated as prepaid by the phone's home provider, it will not happen. The prepaid networks use differant station IDs and everything, so the phone would need to be reconfigured.
If the phone is GSM and has a SIM ( Subscriber Information Module ) card, you can just purchase a new prepaid SIM from any GSM provider and convert that phone to prepaid
note that by US law, any cellular handset, active nor not, will be able to call 911
1999 Contour SE
36k miles as of 1/1/04
2.0 Zetec Automatic
Black, Aluminum 8 spoke
...no real mods, except for my shiny wal mart sony stereo...
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